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.
@Brittany Amador: @Gators352:
Thanks! I’ve claimed the EIC and child tax credit every year for the past 14 years and I’ve never had to wait for any kind of Path act. The last two years I’ve gotten my refund on February 3rd and February 8th. So hopefully I get it early again since where’s my refund doesn’t show a path message.
My son filed 1/18 via HR BLOCK online was accepted 1/19 in a test batch and just got his DDD for 1/27. He is single and still my dependent. Hopefully mine goes just as fast in February.
If you have path credits the “as of date” should be either February 13th … 14th or 15th (PATH RELEASE) .. as of dates usually let the system know when to update a return . So any path credits the return will just be held until 2/14 .. 2/15 like last year . I got the deposit on 2/18 a Friday morning paid fees up front last year early card
@William Turner: check again in a little while. It should show a ddd if you aren’t on the path. Some people are showing a ddd of 1/30 now on their transcripts
@William Turner: as of date is a date that the system generates every 7 days nothing to do with your refund being deposited
So I just checked and I can now view my account and return transcript for 2022. It doesn’t have an 846 code on it yet, but it does show all of my credits as well as a 03 which means I’m a daily. The as of date shows February 13th, does anybody know what that means? Thanks!
@Russ1000: there will no longer be a N/A next to your 2022 account and return. On your account ranscripts there is a 6 digit number ending in 1,2,3,4,5 1-4 is daily 5 is weekly
And how can I tell if I’m weekly or daily. This is the first time I’ve ever gotten access to my transcripts.
How can I tell if transcripts updated
Filed 01/17.
Accepted 01/19.
No PATH, or anything. Just MFJ 2x W2s.
No update yet – will reply to this Friday at noon if I update!
@Gators352: Thank u for you response. I’m just waiting for a DDD now. Transcript updated yesterday. Good luck to all!
@Sheila_33: yes I’m sure. I was in the test bath but I’m also a pather but the as of date is definitely February 15.
@Dewy: makes sense
@Phillyhero64: mine updared with deposit for Friday
Hello everyone we’re back another year let’s see if 2023 is better than the last 2 years
@vhasx3: I didn’t get mine yet but was able to piece it together from my marketplace bills and looking at last year’s forms…. It arrived on the marketplace last year in digital form on Jan 28….
@Jenny: I think that response date just means the day you requested the transcript. It shows todays date cause you requested the transcript today.
@ConfusedMomx4: Not sure, but if y’all had the advance last year, and that acct is closed! Per TT you won’t qualify, assuming y’all were MFJ and both consented. However, you can try and see if you prequalify. Just remember, the final decision isn’t made until after your taxes are accepted!
@2blessed: Chime card oh yes you will get it early like 5 day’s early I use chime last tax season
@Gators352: yes but that cycle code is usually on par with a dd date, appreciate the reply though
@jt: daily
@Kisharai: do you have ACA insurance? I have Medicaid insurance…which isn’t the same I believe so I don’t have that form. I’m hoping it was just an error. I’m so bummed.
@jt: That is the day you posted to the master file and processed. 04 week of the Irs tax year, 02 day of the Irs tax week, which was yesterday. This link can help explain the cycle code in more detail along with other codes and dates on your transcript.
https://igotmyrefund.com/transcripts/