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.
@Sheila_33: yes
@Caprece: Very welcome. :)
@Walter DOG: I’m in your old boat .. I’m into my 2nd week with no updates on transcripts. Next week will be week 3. Only thing is so far nothing different with wmr . Still has tt152, amount on side and one bar lit. So I’m trying to stay positive, but I’m really nervous .
@Cynt_outspoken35: Is there an amount beside the 150?
@celina93: a weekly could see a DDD of 2/23 after Path lifts; I was just also noting that for those that don’t cycle through and update, they–myself included–could see a 3/1 DDD if transcripts don’t update with the 846 code on 2/17.
@Walter DOG: what code are you seeing on your transcript
Shelia_33 beside the 150 code it have a date of 02/27/23 but my as of date is 2/20/23
@Sheila_33: thanks for that. I do apologize because I went back and seen a couple of ppl say that. Sorry for wasting your energy. Your work here is very appreciated. Stay blessed and safe. With love.
Checked trans at 3am and my other 2 accounts that showed NA now finally showed 2022 but everything on my trans was still blank with an as of date of Feb 20th. Just checked again and it’s finally filled in with codes 150, 806, 766, 768 with a new as of date for Feb 27th. Does this mean I should get my refund close to or around the 27th? I usually get it on a Wednesday or a Saturday
@shelia_33 yes
@G: I updated at 5pm 2 yrs ago on a Friday.
@Frank Garrett – Southpark IRS Agent (aka buckey12): Hey don’t worry yourself like I did it took me 3 weeks to finally update this morning after getting refund date when available and delay message your fine they just behind and checking more I read on the child tax credits
@floridadadof2: My as of date is 02/27 but my DDD is 02/15. I’m not on PATH though.
@Caprece: I’ve seen them update into the evening.
@Needmyrefundnow: My transcripts did the same and I haven’t even filed yet. I think it’s just an across the board system update for the new cycle.
@Kymama84: I just checked again on the transcript, and it’s still blank with as-of 2/27/23. I’m not going to worry abou it. Nothing I can do about it. It will either continue to populate and update more later today or it will populate next Friday. I’ve yet to have a return not be refunded by the as-of date, so I’m still pragmatically hopeful for Thursday, 2/23 being the DDD.
@Frank Garrett – Southpark IRS Agent (aka buckey12): so we wouldnt see a ddd of 02/23?
Hello, does the IRS update transcripts all day or it has a cut off time. Thank you.
@Qween: Things are so different…lol I’ve always been a weekly, but my transcripts wouldn’t update until late evening on Fridays.
@UhhKakis: Feb. 15th 12:01 am the system lifts the hold. Then your return has to cycle thru and place the 846.
@Kee: I filed the same day. My transcripts are the exact same. We might have to wait to cycle through next Friday.