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.
Someone plz tell me why I have code 971 on my transcript I do not have a 1099 or any kind of bought cryptocurrency or anything it’s never happened before and beside the 971 it says 3/6 0.00
@Margiee: Check on 2/22
@Margiee: same here…
I filled with turbo tax fees taking out of refund, stbpg has not received refund yet. I have 846 ddd 2/23
@sgorham29: Good luck to you. I hope this year is easier for you. :)
My DDD is 2/22/2023 and refund advantage received my refund on the 17th and sent it to my bank varo when will it hit my bank please help
@Sheila, Thank you so much for answering my question: I am weekly with IS filed Jan 28th accepted the same day, cycle 20230505. For the last 3 yrs they have taken my refund even though I filed the IS form and had to use a tax advocate to get my refund back. My husband doesn’t work anymore, (throat cancer, no voice box so no income for him), just hoping this year things run smooth.
@Sheila_33: ok thank you Sheila
Has anyone received thier refund early with a ddd of 2/23 that’s using Chime?
@Big boy: Usually, 1099s are reconciled later in the year. I don’t think you have anything to worry about. That small of amount wouldn’t cause an issue.:)
@Angeel: no 203. Just the direct deposit date. I’ve had offsets in the past. They were taken and my deposit showed up with no delay
@Sheila_33: it also says on my transcripts that my refund will be sent on 23 and wmr has two bars. It also says my state refund was sent. If there was a issue would they of caught the 2.17 during processing
@KinFl: does your wmr say approved for direct deposit two bars. And have topic 203?
@LurkerForYearss: Have the same thing on wmr approved for direct deposit with two bars topic 203 amount on the bottom left my original amount. Transcripts 846 2/23. I did file with turbo tax and paying fee with federal refund. I call offset i don’t owe anything, owed illinois state they took from state refund and deposited remaining Friday to bank.
@basketcasemomma: from what I’m seeing, and reading it looks like it may be deposited the day before or the day of your DDD. This is my last time taking any advance. I was hoping TT dropped SBBTG, but they didn’t and now we all have to wait. Chime spoiled me with my refund deposit the day my WMR tool updated to 2 bars.
Hear anything with navy federal?
@sgorham29: Its a cycle date, and is not affected by the holiday. Tuesday is a elongated day to make up for the holiday, so double processing that day for dailies.
Question, can someone tell me
what happens when your as of date is Feb 20th and it’s a holiday?
@Matt H: thank you very much
@Brokepoorman: yes, depending if you are using an early posting debit card/financial institution vs. a traditional bank. Traditional brick and mortar banks don’t usually release deposits early. If you opted to have tax preparation fees deducted from your refund that can also push your actual Deposit Date closer to the one provided to you.
Is it possible to get my refund before my DDD of 2/23?
@If only…: I’m almost certain you’re ok. I’m right there with you. Watching many people on here the week before last had a lot of people with blank transcripts and then last week their transcripts finished populating. I think if we can just hold out until this Thursday/Friday when transcripts update we’ll be the next round of DDD.
@basketcasemomma: if you’re ever stationed at Camp Lejeune you’ll be in my neighborhood. There’s a drag strip headed out of Jacksonville and speedways in Charlotte and Rockingham!
@Aaf@725: finally someone in the same situation lol I’m keeping my fingers crossed but it’s not looking promising for anything earlier than Wednesday but please keep me
Posted if anything changes on your end !
Thanks to everyone that has given advice this far, I greatly appreciate it!
I have a question, my irs log on still says info next to the box where it shows if you owe for 2022, so I’ve been worried since that popped up, because I had coworkers have that then get an 898 code and have their refunds taken, I do not have offsets, per the offset line & none that I’m aware of, however I’m worried because I have an 846 refund release code for the 23rd, and 2 bars on wheres my refund, but my co workers are both saying that because I have the info* and no information available right-on irs page, that my refund is going to be offset or taken, anyone have experience or knowledge in regards to this?
I’ve never worried about receiving my refund once I had 846 and 2 bars but this yr I am..just because of what it shows on the irs page and because they both say theirs changed after it was approved..and someone here also said he had that happen to him…my nerves are shot..TIA for any insight!