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.
@basketcasemomma: aww sorry to hear that about your mom. I’m glad you are approved too. Hopefully you will get it on the 2/22 so she doesn’t wait longer for meds. Blessings for her and you and your family. 🙏🏻
@Camila: I am thinking maybe it hasn’t fully updated? You will probably still get ADD of 2/23
Hey all, does anyone have on their WMR saying “Your tax refund might be reduced blah, blah, blah.” LOL! I’m just curious. That’s the same thing it said last year and the entire refund was sent as well as this year. Is it a glitch? Thank you.
@Ank: I just need to be patient lol. I am grateful it’s been approved without any problems. My mom has terminal cancer and needs a certain medicine that the insurance won’t cover. So, I’m waiting on the refund to be able to buy it for her. I want to ask put deposits on our beach vac lol. I am grateful we dont have many bills this year tho.
@Rae: No, that is a place holder date, to get processing done, if not, it goes out another week. Your account transcripts has to be fully filled out with good codes, then it gets the 846 code along side your DDD. If you are a daily, it could happen ant day, if you are weekly, only on a Friday.
On Wmr i have two bars approved for direcr deposit without date . On the bottom I have Topic 203 and says this. If vour refund is not credited to your account by February
28, 2023, please revisit this site or use our free mobile app, IRS2Go, for your revised refund status. What does this mean. Transcripts show 846 2/23 . Will I get my refund on 2/23 . My refund amount on wmr on the bottom left of tax period is the same amount on my 846.
@Rae: It means the system is going to try to finish you by then.
@Tigerlili_1: thank you! that’s what I figured. The longer they have it the more interest they make SMH. Do you think it will show up tomorrow morning? My DDD is the 22nd
@marykelly: They’ve recieved it, they’ve just not settled it.
When they settle it, that’s when it updates to recieved and processed in your online portal. Honestly they do it like that for the interest and to give their agents plausible deniability when they say, it’s not recieved…because they only see what you do.
Hey everyone! Have a quick question. I know every state is different. Does anyone happen to know what it means if my state taxes say “return filed” and it shows the tax debit amount and then the credit amount?
@Ank: Ohhh, I miss the Crystal Coast!
Hey guys! Only transcript for this year is Account Transcript…which is blank except for the as of date which says March 6, 2023. Does that mean I should have my refund by then?
@TheQueenofBee: The system is going to try to resolve by that date.
@Thequeenofbee: I think once you see it on WMR it has already been sent. Like how 846 reflects on a transcript before any indication of that on WMR. That is just MY THEORY so please don’t come after me y’all who know the ins and outs of the IRS. I am not at all well versed in this craziness of the IRS and Banking systems I just observe from various angles. I have a Flooring installation/Remodeling business and do some translating on the side but computers and paperwork are not my thing. I can say that some IRS mail moves fast. I ordered transcripts on a Friday afternoon and got them Wed in costal north carolina.
@Reallydontknow: will i get the rest on same day as 846 2/23
If my as of date on my transcripts is 3-06 and my date on my refund freeze code and notice issued is for 3/06 does that mean they plan to be done by then ? Or is that meaningless ?
@Guera: It’s coming, I promise🤞🏽☺️
@Andrea not logged in: no I think you just got lucky last year lol it hasn’t even been a week since you filed it’s normal to not have anything yet . I would be willing to bet next update you will see something though . I was accepted on the 9th and I seen my transcripts on the 17th I’m
Under review and refund freeze but was processed in that amount of time so this week you should see something with any luck :) it’s always the luck of the draw with them no year is ever the same it seems
@Tigerlili_1: good afternoon, I know you have a lot of info on how banks do ach, do you believe that republic bank has the payment even tho they are claiming they haven’t received anything?
@Ank: yes thank u for that ! Excited for everyone to get their refund but does seem like there’s allot this year with problems including me . I’ve never had a review or issue and this year I do when literally nothing has changed . I have a hold for examination and refund freeze and notice issues with tax topic 151 I was hoping someone that’s had it before could give me positive insight but not happening
1 If you choose to pay your tax preparation fee with TurboTax using your federal tax refund or if you choose to take the Refund Advance loan, you will not be eligible to receive your refund up to 5 days early. 5 day early program may change or discontinue at any time. Up to 5 days early access to your federal tax refund is compared to standard tax refund electronic deposit and is dependent on and subject to IRS submitting refund information to the bank before release date. IRS may not submit refund information early.
@Tigerlili_1: ok thanks a lot
@TheQueenofBee: My dad is listed first and then my mom. But mom was the one that tried to look at their transcripts. We didn’t know if it mattered which one of them logged in or not. Thanks!
@SS: 🙏 and 🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞 toes too.. we put $$ down to hold a vehicle so place wouldn’t sell it b4 $$$ hits!!!! Need it to hit seriously. Need a vehicle sooo bad
@Dani Bee: that means you aren’t processed.it’s whoever filed the return they need to check . If there’s no transcripts it’s means you aren’t done.
If the current year tax return hasn’t processed, does the primary person filing have to log on to see transcripts? My mom logged on. But the transcripts was unavailable. I filed them on Feb 8th.
I had an offset last year it will not show up on your transcript until a week or so later… the 846 is for the refund then they will put the offset code and the amount
We need to boycott TT at this point cause this is horrible misleading info. I’m sure the fine print says something but anyways. A few more days y’all hang in there. Just called the offset line after entering you SSN press 2 that will tell you the debt paying effective ur DDD
@Shelby082: it depends on if you had fees taken out of your refund or paid up front.
@Tigerlili_1: Ty and ty for the reply. 😀