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.
@Emily: Normally, but this is weird! I am wondering if there was an issue, or if TT is going downhill?
And yes, I have stayed busy and no changes!
@MSRazorbackPhD: that is crazy!!! aren’t you normally the first one in and the first one out. I keep trying to busy myself but I seem to finish everything faster today. Lol
Trying to figure out what to do next?🤔😡😤
My daughter just did hers with e-file was accepted. So it has to be software issues, but you would think after how many years they would get their ducks lined up before having chickens or however it goes lol.
@MSRazorbackPhD: same only difference is filed the 19th smh
Are state taxes delayed by path
Are state taxes delayed by path
My TT says pending but checked WRM and it said relieves. 1 Bar why didn’t I get notified. Was I accepted?
@Rookie956: If the return has been accepted, it can process anytime. But, if there are path credits, like the earned income tax credit, the system puts a freeze on the return and automatically lifts it on Feb 15th.
@Sheila_33: Oh okay, thank you… That is the first time I did not get the text message.. But either way, I am glad it went through :)
Hello all. When will they start processing returns for people with earned income tax credits?
@LadyVA: If the Wmr is recognizing your information, you’ve been accepted. Some tax software is taking longer to update the acceptance.
Just checked WMR and I have the 1 bar and TT 152. Does that mean it was accepted? TT has not updated?
I noticed on Friday with all the TT users showing being accepted on WMR then between 6:45 to 8:45 pm TT started to updated and advances were popping up. I’m still showing transmitted but 1 bar on WMR
Daily processing and weekly processing, share this link for anyone wanting to know the difference. Thank you. :)
https://igotmyrefund.com/daily-weekly/
Hi All happy tax season. I fled today around 2:30 Est and accepted 5 mins later. Showing on where’s my refund tool. Used taxact.
Returns accepted last week before the IRS opened today are considered test batches. The IRS does a test run of the system by sending early submitted returns through to make sure everything is working right. If you were accepted last week and are a daily processor, you could possibly be processing today with an update on your account transcript tomorrow. If you have no path credits (actc/eitc) that would hold your refund until Feb. 15th, you could see a refund date for this week. If you’re a weekly processor, you could process Thursday with an update on transcripts Friday.
Check out our refund chart:
https://igotmyrefund.com/irs-e-file-refund-cycle-chart-2023/
Federal Return
Received by TurboTax:
Wednesday, Jan 11, 4:10 PM EST
Received by IRS:
Friday, Jan 20, 4:21 PM EST
Filing status changed to: Pending
Friday, Jan 20, 4:21 PM EST
Just sitting!
@loucy29: thank you