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.
Can anyone explain why my transcript say 8100 and then 811 and then have the 846 code but wmr has tax topic 151 and review my tax return anyone ever experience this
@Itsthattimeagaincyn: everyone must went to sleep lol
@Ash: thanks
@Andrea: my transcript updated today.
@Andrea: have you looked at your transcript or you don’t have access?
@Itsthattimeagaincyn: every state is different. The state that I live in tells you 30-60 days. But, the previous person is correct; it shouldn’t affect your refund.
@Ash83: go back on the line and after entering your social choose option 2 instead of 1. That’s how I heard mine it’s under payments offset.
@KinFl: no, I had a name change due to divorce so it immediately sent my state in review status.
Can things update over the weekend or do I have to wait for Tuesday at this point. 2022 still showing n/a refund not processed on my irs account..
@KinFl: no I didn’t get anything but I knew I definitely owed the state.
WMR updated this morning 2nd bar Approve for the 23rd Chime. Still hoping it come today like people got theirs yesterday.
@Ash83: did you receive a levy notice from your state?
@Ash83: it should. Mine did
@Itsthattimeagaincyn: did you get a levy notice from your state?
The state debt won’t show on the offset line? I received a letter a while ago stating I owed that overpayment to unemployment but nothing shows on the hotline for offsets
@KinFl: yes you’re right because I still got my ddd for my federal refund But as far as my state they haven’t released my funds yet. It’s been over 3wks and I called they said it’s still processing. That’s a long time. My state normally sends refunds within 5 days.
@Ash83: your unemployment offset will be taken before your money is deposited. And, yes, unemployment debt is an offset
@Itsthattimeagaincyn: offsets have no impact on refunds. They are debited from your balance immediately, and whatever is left over is your refund. I had offsets back when I was much younger, and it never impacted my deposit date.
@Ash: oh ok because I was wondering why my state keeps showing my refund balance but no movement and no letters. I was expecting the offset to be debited from my state return not my federal.
@Itsthattimeagaincyn: yes, they do. It can take up to 30-60 days for them to transfer the funds to another state.
@Ash: I have an offset on my federal refund. Which happens to be for a state agency. I wonder if they hold the state until they receive the funds from the irs.
@Itsthattimeagaincyn: I haven’t gotten mine
Ash, my transcript finally updated with an 846 and direct deposit of 2/24
Has anyone not received their state taxes yet and filed end of January?
I just wanted to say thank you for all of the help I have received on here. All of the information I was given was spot on and I am very grateful for it. Goodluck to everyone still waiting for an update!
And why doesn’t it show on the offset line? I don’t have any offsets
Ent updated with 203 tax topic however I do not have any offsets, but I do owe 146 to unemployment could this be it?
@Tigerlili_1: I’m confused are you asking me to provide these details ? Sorry just making sure
Does PenFed deposit early?
@tigerlilly, that’s right, I forgot about that, tis okay, I updated, 2nd bar, refund set to hit my account by 2/23, hopefully earlier cuz I have Chime.
@Tigerlili_1: I know. Someone asked if anyone has seen their money in republic and I was replying to that.
@Monica: you can call and do the automated WMR. That won’t lick you out.
Surprisingly my WMR updated accurately this year. 2nd bar populated 😎
Its so stupid WMR, locks you out after 4,5 times, I want to check but I think I’ve checked 2, 3 times already., it’s after 3:00 am where I’m at.
@Chasingcarson_: That’s who you’d check with then.
There is only an account transcript on IRS and it says no record of tax filed and I still have Path Message. Anyone else in my situation?
@Tigerlili_1: I filed in person. My money goes to Republic.
@Tigerlili_1: how do I check eps?