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.
@Cantcatchabreak: j I hope you get it soon too
@Stokes: my wmr updated on Saturday morning the 25th that is was mailed on the 24th
@Snailmail: I’m in PA
@BBkansas24: why did you have to refile? Curious as I filed on 2/4, with zero movement.
So I had to refile on 2.22
Accepted 2.26
Finally have a transcript account transcript and wage but both blank. As of date is 3.20.2023
They keep saying the reason it’s blank and the other one showing 0s is because of verification but I don’t have a notice that was sent yet.
I thought it was because I’m not processed yet.
No WMR status still says wait 24 hours, it’s been 6 days. But 152 code. I know movement can happen all day today got weekly people.
Any ideas?
Thanks in advance.
@ moe download your transcript it’ll tell I did mines yesterday an got approved today with 03/9/23
@Sheila_33: Good Morning my processing date is tomorrow 3/6 what does that mean ?
My processing date is tomorrow 3/6 what does that mean
@Sheila_33: ty for, at least, being open minded about my comments and understanding that just because it’s the first you’ve heard of it, then it’s not true. I actually said, when people questioned my story, that you, probably, would give it the benefit of the doubt….and I was right.
File 2/22/03 excepted 2/23/03 approve 3/5/03 refund dd 3/9/03 good luck y’all this year was quick
@Stokes: no WMR does not have to update but your transcripts will
@zhosa: I agree it is new and it is an automated messaging. Wondering if the IRS has decided to catch up with present day technology lol. 🤔
@Cantcatchabreak: Honestly, I don’t know. In the past they would cut checks on Fridays, but from what I’ve read, they are now sending on any business day. So, let’s hope they mean it when they say “by”.
@Ricky22 8: hey Rich I been praying for you they go by when they receive your documents first come first serve you won’t hear nothing for at least until July ,August time frame sorry but that’s the way it works unless you get Tax advocate
@Gwen: what state r u in. I’m in Florida check was mailed out on the 24th, still nothing:(
@Gwen: would it be updated on wmr page first? Like before it’s mailed
Or could it be mailed with no update on wmr?
@Tigerlili_1: no, they don’t directly but it was sent, immediately, from id.me after i disconnected from the live agent. If you had read the whole message (i tried to send) then you would have seen it. I’m sure you are very knowledgeable but this Id verify is very new and continuing to evolve so we all are learning new info. I did have to click the link to go back to the website and got the “congratulations” message. I began on irs.gov to do the video and that was the confirmation email to say i completed it. You will probably start to see this more and more because, again, it is new.
I was accepted Jan 23
ID verified Feb 15
N/a on transcript’s
And wmr changed last week to this with no bars
“Your refund is being processed” and that’s it a very short message and amount is still there
Any insight?? I’m a weekly but I updated to that last Friday I didn’t update this Friday. Could I possibly update tomorrow or no?
@Gwen: thanks Gwen. I hope to get it by the Monday as well which would be the 13th
@Cantcatchabreak: it will be mailed on the 10th. Next Saturday your wmr will update to it being mailed. I had a check will be mailed by the 24th and I thought because it said by it would mail by then but it didn’t. Mailed out on the 24th and I received it on the 27th. Good luck!
@sheila_33 hi Sheila. So wmr confirmed I am getting a check this morning due to be mailed by 3/10. Do you think they will mail it before 3/10 since they used the word “by”. Again I had to ID verify which seems that checks are being sent instead when you have to ID verify this year.
@Deano: thank you
Can I contact the treasury ?
How long until I get the check ? It was rejected by the bank .
@Sheila_33: Thank you 🙂
@Strokes: If it’s not deposited by the “as of” date, then the system notifies the treasury to cut a check.
@Stokes: Just a guess 1 to 2 weeks
It depends on the speed of the IRS
I do know that it’s approximately 3 to 5 days for the bank system anyone else know sure please feel free to help 🙂
When a refund is rejected from bank , how long for a paper check ??? Nc
@Me: Yes that would mean you are moving forward towards your return being processed and at some point DDD date 🙂
Is being processed message on wmr better than still being processed
IRS only contact by mail not email or phone call or text!!! Please be careful We all live in a messed up world !!!!
@zhosa: Was it personal info?
@zhosa: Email from who? IRS does not send put emails.
@TeeDee44: Lol…1st it’s not that easy to move to Canada…and you’d find it much worse in many other ways. The process sucks, and I’ve views on it as well. I guess just try to calculate really well, have the exact amount withheld and break even every season. No waiting.
1/25: accepted/as of 2/13
2/16: changed to delayed message, as of changed to 2/20, (next up, but need to verify according to the email i received)
2/19: still being processed message, as of changed to 3/6, (when i should get letter)
2/24: as of changed to 3/13, could have processed, but no code yet (2nd step)
3/3: as of changed to 3/20, giving me time to get letter and verify before or by then.
anyone know why IGMR is blocking helpful information, been posting on here for the last few years w/no problems……
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@IRSPlaying: I’m in the same exact spot. Can’t figure it out. I’m just a W-2 with a standard deduction
@KeiaG34: same situation filed 2/4. All my transcripts still say N/A.
@keiag34 @meme
I filed 1/26 and had 152 with delayed message transcripts 570/971 dated 3/06
I called yesterday she told me I had to resubmit proof of income/w2 and wait 60 days. I was like I wish they’d give you more info online because I would have submitted it weeks ago now I have to wait even longer it’s BS.
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