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.
@littles16: same here
@Pissed2023: I am in the same boat as you and @Mamatrilogy3. Still pending after 3 days. IF there was an issue with the return than the IRS would reject it and there is nothing other than “pending” on Turbo Tax’s end. I am ticked off too. I would like to at least know if there was an issue with it. Our return is comparatively small and not a huge deal for us but I just want to know everything is o.k.
My refund is soo tiny. Whyyyy do I need to be part of the “panthers” again haha.
@Sheila_33: hey Shelia. So if the 15th is on a Wednesday, we should see transcripts update Thursday right?
WMR updated to PATH message today. Amount gone.
Codes filled in yesterday but 846. Waiting until lift.
My sister WMR says return is still being processed with one bar and amount gone from left side. Transcripts are still n/a🥴
@Hardworkingmom: you’ll find out after path lifts on the 13th
I forgot to mention that my account transcript that updated this morning did not list any transactions or codes yet.
WMR updated this morning DDD BY 1-31-23 this is the same as last year and it was in my account on Saturday 1-29-22
I am hoping it will be the same this year
Trans updated this morning one step closer to that paaaaaper
@Hardworkingmom: We’ve worked up a calendar of possible timing on refunds for filers if you’d like to check it out:
https://igotmyrefund.com/irs-e-file-refund-cycle-chart-2023/
Hello guy,
I filed 1/23 and got accepted and my transcripts updated with a 20230405 date. Does this mean ill get it 2/16??
@sharonmarie82: You have the cycle not the act or eic. Your like me. I get mine Feb 1st. Only the other 2 credits make you wait
@sharonmarie82: Ctc isn’t held by path, so that’s why your refund wasn’t held. Congratulations!
@Sheila_33: thank you . I wish they would do away with this path stuff
@Walter DOG: I guess we’ll just see what today brings. Hopefully, a lot more transcript updates.
I filed on opening day not thinking anything of it because I claim the CTC and don’t usually get my refund until late February. This morning I checked WMR and have a DDD of 1/31 and my transcripts show 846 with a 1/31/23 date. I guess I’m getting my refund early?
Got my transcript updated with 846 for Feb 1st. Fast this yead. Good luck all