key tax return and refund dates
When can you file your taxes?
You can submit your tax return before the IRS begins processing as early as the first week of the year with many tax preparation providers. You don’t need to wait until the IRS begins accepting tax returns but you must have the proper forms and paperwork. Some forms are not available until mid January. Tax returns filed before the IRS officially opens sit in a “queue” and are held until the IRS officially begins accepting tax returns.
Your tax return may be selected in a test batch. If you e-file early and it sits in queue, your return may be sent to the IRS early. This can result in early direct deposits depending on the payment provider you select. Our cycle chart will update with key dates including test batch dates.
When does the IRS accept tax returns?
The IRS usually opens around the third week of January each year. They announce the opening date early in January.
The IRS will begin accepting tax returns in 2025 on January 27th.
When is the IRS test batch?
If you file your tax return early, it may be sent to the IRS in a test batch before the IRS has officially opened for the year. It is usually a week before the date the IRS begins accepting tax returns. This has resulted in refunds in the past that can be posted by direct deposit as early as the day after tax season opens.
When will I get my tax refund?
Early filers whose returns are accepted in a test batch can anticipate a tax refund as early as the day after the IRS opens the January filing season if your return was in the test batch. The day that the IRS deposits refunds varies for regular returns but we notice trends based on the method you chose to file and select to direct deposit. You can use our tax refund calendar or refund cycle chart to help find out when you will get your tax refund.
Where is the IRS refund cycle chart?
The official tax refund cycle chart published by the IRS has been eliminated and replaced with IRS FAQ. Refund cycle charts are now published by independent websites and vary slightly.
A good reference to use is the When To Expect My Refund cycle chart that is published early each year by the College Investor.
tax refund grapevine
This is a user-to-user community of taxpayers. Share experiences and ask questions below in our Live Discussion. We have learned more about tax refunds than we ever wanted to know.
tax refund tools
IRS Update Cycle
Use the IRS Update Cycle chart to find the days and times the WMR and transcript update.
When are Updates?
The IRS has regular mass update cycles.
WHEN DOES WHERES MY REFUND (WMR) UPDATE?
Where’s My Refund can update any day of the week. But there are mass updates on Wednesday and Saturday when a lot of people see an update. Use our calendar to find out what day you can expect to see updates on Where’s My Refund.
WHEN DO transcripts update?
Transcripts can update any day of the week. But there are mass updates on Tuesday and Friday. Use our calendar to find out what day you can expect to see an update on your transcript.
So I have codes 806, 766, 570, and 768. All but 570 have negative amounts behind them. 570 has zeros behind it. Funny thing is I have the path message and my as of date is 2/13/23. Could the 570 code just be due to the path hold and could I be possibly getting my refund when the path lifts?
@Walter DOG: I’m pretty confused actually but I was reading about you guys having as updates from past returns for June 6, so I went on a hunt. And my 2020 account record has the same date! 6/6/22. Not my 2021 though. And the funniest part was that last year was the first year I had filed in 2 years. So the 2020 transcript has my information for 2021 on it but different income yet same dependent and address? Maybe they’re just working on it?
@Walter DOG: yes I got those credits. One of my children wasn’t on the 2020 return and when I put him on 2021 they gave me the missing credits. I hope that makes sense.
@NatNat: i read no one can receive till the 15 th so bow in confused
@Vannyy: yes I was shocked
@NatNat: really. The coworker had both credits
@AlaysiaMoore: My husbands coworker has already gotten his refund today and he is a Pather?
@Walter DOG: Hey I pray everything goes well with your transcripts tomorrow going into friday…I’ll keep you updated if anything changes on mine..Good luck my friend
@Claudia: Wow I didn’t know that..Thank you so much.Ill let you know what happens. Good luck to you as well😊
@Patientlywaiting1987: thank you for giving me encouragement and yes that June 6 2022 as of on 2019 and 2020 is freaking me out but those are the years all this advance and stimulus went off of so who knows but thank you for updating me
@Impatiently waiting: where can I find that at on my transcripts
There won’t be any 846 code for pathers until after the 15th
@Matt H: that would be nice
@Impatiently waiting: I can’t recall 100% but I seem to remember in one of the previous years transcripts starting to show 846 on the 14th.
@Walter DOG: I literally have all the same things going on as you. I just think it’s a lot of us who have these. I don’t think anything is wrong just waiting to process. Last year I didn’t get path message but the year before I did. My transcripts have the June 6th dates as well from the past two years and my blank return 2022. Just says 02/20/22 and wmr has the apology delay message as well.
@Vannyy: I hate this path. I hope one day this path will go away. I swear its so aggravating.
@Yandyy: I’m weekly so maby Tomorrow night I update but not looking forward to it I got delay message after having refund date when available on wmr also don’t know what’s up but I noticed on my 2020 and 2019 transcripts the as of dates changed to June 6 2022 both years the same ,last years nothing changed on it same as of and 2018 transcript is same no change in as of date so thinking I would received a letter if something was wrong no new codes on any transcripts
@Mary: Thanks. Wishfull thinking though. I wish one day this path will go away.
@Impatiently waiting: yesss
@Impatiently waiting: yes i am since like almost two weeks
@Impatiently waiting Updates will be after the Path is lifted
@Mary: Since path doesnt lift till 15th do u think ill update with 846 on 13th or not till after?
@Vannyy: Are you on the path aslo? Im hoping we update next friday? im praying.
@Vannyy: Ya your processed then. Mine is the same way the wage transcript is not filled in either. Do you have the 2-13-22 as of date also?
@Impatiently waiting: 2022 tax return summary filled in with my wages and refund amount
@Impatiently waiting: yes just the transcript of wage is not filled out
@Mary: transcripts pf wages, i read they are updated after
@Vannyy: does it show your 2022 tax summary? It’s where you go to tax records. If so that means your processed.
@Mary: so confused, verify what
@Impatiently waiting I have always referred to that as the shit or get off the pot date, meaning give a 846 or another date with code telling you why its delayed.
Does anyone know what as of date means on transcripts? My as of date is 2-13-22
@Fishgurl: Im hoping next Friday the 17 transcripts will update with DDD. Last year I updated on transcripts on a Friday. I think it was like the 22 or 24 I got my refund. But hoping earlier since i am already proccesed.
@Yandyy: All lottery winnings or gambling winnings are flagged for verification. Happened twice to me. But, it updated the following week and that dropped. I was weekly at those times it occurred