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.
As of dates 2/20
Weekly updates and there was no change yet still path message hope everyone has better luck!
I can now see the account transcript for 2022. Blank but as of date of 2/27/2023. Seems to be following same as others. I’ll check 10ish to see if more has populated.
@walterdog: good to see things resolved for ya
Mine updated in a Big way this morning, at 6 eastern time nothing but by 730 it updated to 846 refund issued code. It says 2-15 so I’m going to guess anytime between now and then tax slayer will get it. My wmr still has 1 bar but when I logged in to get my transcript it was all updated even the account home page. I’m hoping for good news for everyone. I’m not on path I just had a regular return itemized with healthcare bills
Morning everyone! I’m so excited Path lifts in 5 days! I got the advance this year and used credit karma for the first time, do they early deposit like Chime? I paid my fees up front.
Also, I’m not relaxed until I see 846 release on my return. So far, all good codes.
@Jinglesmouse: thank you very much
@Sheila_33: I have no faith today
@Juicyroot: ok thank you very much
@Angiee: Yes
@Bubba: Pathers have to wait til mid February for 846 to be issued due to PATH ACT. You will not see 846 before Feb 15th if you are a pather
@Bubba: PATHers won’t see 846 until this coming Thursday(daily) and Friday(weekly).
Morning all I’ve been on path for two weeks now with all good codes and still haven’t seen my 846. I’m week and my code is 20230405 with as of date 2/13. Why aren’t pathers seeing the 846 yet? Any help would be appreciated
Those of you that are not seeing any updates, do not loose hope! Last Friday, I checked mine twice before 8am, zero change, NA. I checked again at 3pm, all but wages populated, filled out completely, on PATH waiting on the 846. I hope this helps.
My trans didn’t change…still got codes from last Friday. I’m a weekly. I thought trans update between midnight and 3am for weeklies?
On Tuesday I got an ID verification letter, I called and took care of it. Yesterday where’s my refund changed from still processing to processing, still no bars. All transcripts were NA. t 630 am everything was filled in and code 846 on account transcript. The lady from IRS said wait 9 weeks. It was literally 3 days
@Tooblessed2stress: check again about noon they process today also
@GirlFromCarolina: you don’t have to wait call IRS and tell the when you login to your account it tells you to verify your return and that you need code from letter so you want to make sure when the letter was sent because you have problems with your mail
IGMR has a projected calendar of refund dates for weeklies and dailies. Remember, Monday the 20th is a holiday so ddds will most likely shift over a day.
@Monee: yes I can
@IHATETAXTIME: Great News mine finally did also mine took 3 weeks got to get that grey out for my hair
@Sheila_33: so im good for ddd after the 15th
Good morning. Transcripts updated with all good codes. Just waiting on 846 to show up after 2/15!
Thank goodness.
I see why people evade their taxes. I’m stuck on verifying but have yet to receive a letter. I have to wait 21 days to even talk to someone to see if they even sent the letter. At this point I don’t care if it ever gets processed.