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.
@Phillyhero64: I think that means yours isn’t processed yet.
I’m way too nervous to check my transcripts this morning. I’m going to wait until other people who got the all 0s check
Lost all my bars this morning on WMR. What does that mean?
@Ohio girl: Same as my daughters. I guess we’ll see in the next wave of updates.:)
Good morning everyone!
Well the waiting game begins. Transcripts populated yesterday, updated to PATH message this morning, now just waiting for Feb 15 and the PATH to lift.
It shows 2022 for account transcript but no information yet inside.Any ideas
@FrazierGurl: Good morning That’s the date something has to be done by on the account. If you have path credits, then your return is frozen, and that date will stick until the hold lifts the 15th. Then you’ll process again and that date will push out to make sure your refund is deposited within that time frame.
@sheila yes, it populated. All of them are there except for the first one.
My transcript updated. Of course since we have PATH credits this year there is no 846.
The tracker has no change in bars or wording.
@Sheila_33:
Jan 17 accepted simple return
@Ohio girl: Good morning! My daughters never populate until around 8 est so I don’t think they’re done yet. When were you accepted?
@Sheila_33: Good morning. All of my transcripts are filled in. Just no 846. What exactly is the as of date. My as of date says 2/13/23
@GetSchwitty024: Its very possible your transcripts aren’t finished updating yet. Quite a few this morning are seeing the same.
@sheila_33
Good morning! Weekly transcriptupdate today? Are they usually sone by now?
Thanks for your help
What does it mean when only the account part has updated? I have some Feb.13th date and 0$ on everything. I do not have any Path credits to hold me up. I only claimed CTC. Any insight is greatly appreciated. :)
@Billybob1: The date beside the 846 is your deposit date. The cycle code is when you processed.