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.
WMR updated
@Had_Dem_TwinsNow6: my DD is 2/22. Me and about 2 others have not seen are federal post on there yet
@Heather8306: At the bottom, look at the release date.
There will be a release date your refund amount routing last 4 of your account and then it will day complete or processing.
@Ms.Tiffany: When I had that message last year, they wound up garnishing my entire refund for a tax debt my ex husband owed the year we divorced.
I’d check transcripts and call on Monday.
Path lifted, 2 bars with a 2/23 ddd.
Eps says they received my deposit Wednesday night I have 2/22 ddd and they say they sent it to chime but it’s never posted 😭
/We apologize, but your return processing has been delayed beyond the normal timeframe.
You can continue to check back here for the most up to date information regarding your refund.
We understand your tax refund is very important and we are working to process your return as quickly as possible.
Anyone else have this? WMR is still one bar li. 152 tax topic message is back. No pic’
2:15 am, still have the flicking path message, transcripts updated Friday with a 846 of 2/23, ibthinkbits going to stay on that flipping message.
@Tigerlili_1: I be checking next year and still be at square one they can keep them
@Santa: it Maynor have updated yet. Check later in the morning.
@Quana: It will update sometime after midnight
Check we’re my refund now same bullshit from day one they can keep my taxes I don’t need them that dam bad
@Kikachu not logged in: I will pay for my taxes don’t like nothing free thanks anyway I would rather pay you then hr block we’re you from me dumb ass WV wish I never moved here
Is this normal on a transcript
153 Tax return filed 03-06-23 and then the dates below those being 4-15-23. Im not well informed on this but what do those dates mean?
@Santa: haha I got u, it’s on the house!
@Claudia: lol 😂
@Kikachu not logged in: I pay you to do my taxes next year lol
@Tigerlili_1: I will check but I no it will say the same bullshit
Filed 1/25 with TT/Credit Karma. WMR still on PATH, probably won’t change until 6am.. but transcript has an 846 code for refund being issued on 2/23.
How do you know in the transcripts if your refund is being sent by mail. Thanks in advance
@Lady T: I’m a weekly and I filed the same date and still have the PATH message on WMR
@PleaseHelp: don’t know your codes but if you have the 424 code then the way lower amount for 846 refund is if you look is probably your withholdings they refunded that froze the credits for audit or examination
got refund at 1pm est today. filed HRB deposite on netspend. i was on path just checked HRB and WMR and both have not changed. still says waiting on path.
@JJ not logged in: just my wife and I. Nobody else can legally claim my dependants. I did it through TT and 2 years ago I did an ID verify to cancel my advanced EIC emergency funds because they messed up on my amount by not counting my 2nd dependant.
@Tblake: might not update until between 6 and 7am. I checked too.. some ppl even said it wouldn’t update until Saturday night now😒
@Claudia: lol
Everyone is on a rampage tonight! Should I have some weed delivered to your houses?
@Santa: I think that’s your DDD…Check WMR in the morning.
@Tigerlili_1: they called me back and said they did some research I filed the child tax credit they be processed them on Jan 23 who no who to believe lol