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.
@Stillwaitinginfairburnga: Just top left and bottom right!
@Allisxn: all my transcripts all updated but my account transcript is half way updated I just have simple return with w2
@Allisxn: Have your top two filled out also. I’m waiting for the bottom account one to fill in.
Finally updating! Got 2 of 4 transcripts so far. WMR still 1 bar, no path. WMR usually updates around 3am. It’s 2am here and my trucker spouse decided to call and wake me up so I’ll stay up a bit to see if anything changes! 😬
@Walter DOG: it went from the regular being processed expect within 21 days to the dalay message
@Daniel: I have the same on my transcripts I hope they completely fill in today with a 846 code I only had simple w2 atc or eitc
Well I’m done checking until the morning. Hopefully something good happens during my sleep. Have a goodnight all.
@Sharon. O: did your wmr have still processing refund date when available before you got delay message or what message did you have before delay message
@GregDoyle: id verify login to your irs account and go to notices it will say verify your return a nd go to irs id verify/gov login to identification of tax return and if it prompts you to enter code then you have id verify
My status bar disappeared after few days of filing and getting accepted, But still says processing. It’s been over a week that the bars disappeared.
@Daniel: should have said Record filled in completely eith Return info but sans codes
@Walter DOG: Jan 30th filled and accepted
@Flgirl1990: similar situation. My Return and Record of Account Transcript went from N/A to filled in completely. The Account Transcript and Wage Report are s available but only have name and address and 2/20/2033 as of date, so they have not updated yet.
@Flgirl1990: same here
My transcripts just updated with cycle code 20230605 everything still 0.00 I guess it’s still updating
@Patientlywaiting1987: Mines was N/A 20 mins ago just updated and last Friday didn’t see change til about 9 am
@2020relief: when did you file and get accepted
@Janel120: just waiting on a hopeful outcome no movement for me yet.
It’s very quiet in here for a Friday update. Where everyone at?
@Janel120: it has as of date 2/20 but nA on top and then all my refund info is their now so just missing the codes
@Sam A: no refund is sent withing 24 hours
@Walter DOG: this past Monday. It said verifying earnings, withholdings, or credits
@Walter DOG: Mines populated but acct still at 0.00
@Janel120: has your updated
@2020relief: is your account box still showing no return filed?