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.
Ok so I come here every year just don’t say much.
I had all zeros on my transcript until today I have the delay message on the irs site. My transcripts updated this morning to codes 150, 766, 768, and the delay code 570 no other codes. As of date feb 27. Any help I’ve never had any issues with my taxes before??
@UhhKakis: The freeze lifts after the 15th
@FrazierGurl: it always lifts after the 15th; that was part of the Path Act when it was put into effect.
@KYMama22: correct. Path freeze lifts after the 15th. After transcripts update, we should see updates next Friday (17th) on transcripts, WMR on Sat (18th), etc. That said, my account transcript is still blank, but as others said, it could take until 5 pm to populate–or just sit blank until next week and populate all at once. I’m just happy I at least have the account transcript showing up and no longer N/A.
I just had a thought 💠Path doesn’t lift until mid February. Technically this is a short month since we only have 28 days. 🤞
Theory people that update last week probably will dd this evening if you paid fees upfront and people who updated today will see deposits next Friday if fees were paid upfront. If not dd will be 2/15 and 2/22 for people that updated today. Again it’s a theory.
Does anyone know when PATH lifts I know Mid Feb but an actual date.
@Frank Garrett – Southpark IRS Agent (aka buckey12): so if we’re weekly’s, we won’t see that code pop up till next Friday?
@G: ditto. I don’t even wanna check my transcripts again. I can already feel the “one more week vibe.”
Good morning all!
Forgive me because I can’t remember where to look. I have all good codes on transcript. But my as of date is Feb 13 and my processing date is Feb 20.
Which one is most important? And is it a bad sign that they are different?
Welp…..went back to 2/13. Of course.
@Sparkle: Yes!! Your just waiting for the path to life and the code 846!
@poontastic39: if u 846 this morn ull get ddd on wmr tomorrow for wednesday 2/15 usually,prolly 2/16 this year cause of prez day holiday
Filed with TurboTax, accepted 1/26 one w2 no child credits or eic, direct deposit to TurboTax card … There hasn’t been the orange bars on my refund status for a week now. And it says still processing. Can’t get a transcript because my hubby can’t be verified thru the IRS web site UGH! I just want to pull my hair out
Good morning all, my stuff updated around 7:30 this morning (Eastern) time, im not a pather. I was accepted on the 31st, and this morning all my 2022 were filled in except the wage one, and on my transcript I had the 846 code and it said Refund Issued. Im new to the transcript game and from everything I read, i seem to think its a good code. Im just wondering when it will actually be issued, its done processing so dose that mean it goes out in the next batch of refunds they send out? Thanks again everyone, and I hope everyone starts getting good news.
@kitty104: As for why it was there and not there….that I do not know.