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.
@MamaByrd: That is just a generic automated message. Unfortunately it has nothing to do with the IRS actually beginning to process your return. The IRS transcript is very accurate. What it shows is exactly what has been done. Sorry it’s not the news you would hope for but it is the truth.
@Stillwaitinginfairburnga: It’s a automated message because 21 days is up everyone gets this message doesn’t mean a thing sorry
Why is my AS OF date in transcripts is 2/20/2023 but WMR says still processing and my account and wage 2022 says No record of return filed and Return and Record have N/A? Filed and accepted on January 27
@dragon362: Same here. How did you go through the verify ID process with no letter? When I try, it says you need a letter to continue the process.
Hey all! Quick question. Top two transcripts are n/a, return trans says no return filed. But just received an email from TurboTax saying congrats you did it. Your refund is on the way. Could turbo be wrong or is it that the irs is behind on updating? Thanks in advance!!
Anyone received their VA state refund yet?
@Justtryingtounderstand: yes. All good. Just waiting on your 846
Anybody know what’s up with Colorado. I filed the same day as federal and have already received my federal return. Colorado says they haven’t even started processing. Anyone else with this issue
@Honeybee82: Thanks for the good news!! I guess I’m just waiting to see that 846 code. I’m thinking I won’t see that until next week though
@RuthBaby: ok, that’s all good news! The 27th is your “as of” date….which is just a placeholder to remind the system that it has to finish updating by then. Since you have good codes, it’s unlikely that the date will get pushed back…so you’re just waiting until the freeze lifts!
Good morning I just got a text from TurboTax saying congratulations you did it does this mean anything
Weeklies on Friday morning
@Justtryingtounderstand: Yes!
Codes on transcripts are 150, 806, 766
These are good right? Just waiting for path lift hopefully next week and 846 yes?
@Anointed4: depends if you’re a daily or weekly I’m a daily this year so I’ll see it Wednesday morning 😁
@VW: it will be like that until they have reviewed both returns. You may also need to contact the tax advocate office and let them know you are facing financial hardship once the path has lifted. They will help speed up the process.
@Honeybee82: Yes, I have all of those codes. I see a date that say 2/27/2023 next to my cycle code. I don’t know if that’s the “as of” date or not.
@RuthBaby: do they show an “as of” date, or codes like (150, 806, 766, 768)? Those are all good codes, so if you’re on Path….it’s just a matter of waiting until the freeze lifts on the 15th 😊
@NatNat: Negative. Kids are grown and I file as single these days.