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.
@MOE even if you file early they didn’t start accepting returns until Jan 23 so that’s why it seems like you’ve been waiting longer. I waited until after they started accepting returns to file and I’m still waiting though. I think early filers got screwed this year lol for sure.
It depends on the last 2 digits of your cycle code. 01-04 is daily 05 is weekly so transcripts update Friday for weekly and wmr updates Saturday.
@NVDIV: IRS told me they update each night. Not certain days.
I have been meaning to ask. What day does transcripts for 07 cycle codes uodate. I know that WMR is Friday correct me if I’m wrong. I’m at the point there is no reason to check till the update days
@570 Go Away: still no update here. Did yours update? I probably already know the answer lol.
I check my transcripts every hour and I know I’m weekly . And then on friday I don’t udate been over 80 days got letter 3/13 to do nothing. Have not updated for 3 weeks still 570 3/6 and 971 3/13 that’s the letter I got.
Anyone on here not a PATHer, or if you are and waited to file after the PATHer hold was lifted in Feb, how long did it take to get your tax return? I use to file early, but with this Path act, it seems like most who file early seem to get lost in the system somewhere, or have a much longer wait time getting their returns. I actually filed early 2 years ago, it took 3 weeks after the Path hood was lifted to get my return. Last year I waited until mid March to file, got my return back 7 days later. Just curious how it has played out for everyone else.
@NMMN: did you WMR update last night???
I have a question about the new surplus refund in Georgia. No one is answering me on the State Refund Forum. It says one of the qualifications is that you had to have had a “tax liability”. Does that mean the you owed them money at the end of the year, or does that just means the amount you would have owed if none of the taxes had been paid by your income?
@Dirtydog218: Hey! Last week we were in the same boat. I checked WMR yesterday and today and both days it showed the refund amount gone. The 152 message was back on there and of course, “still processing”. But today, I logged into my account after seeing no change from yesterday on WMR…I saw new information in the top left corner with 2022 tax information. I then went in to check and my 2022 transcript is now showing to be there! I now have code 846 Refund Issued for 3/27/23! There is still hope!
I’m sharing my cycle codes and expected deposit date that goes along with it to compare where we all stand in this waiting process.
Cycle code 20230903, February 28, 2023.
@zhosa: thanks I’m going to do that now.
@CarolinaWoman88: hold your mail for pick up at your post office. Just go online to usps.com
@Dirtydog218, rep did say that my tax return was done processing but is going thru the review process now. Nothing i can do, just wait………….
@Dirtydog218, I’m still here as well. Waiting………Filed 2/10, accepted 2/10, never approved on MWR, then “still processing”, 570 code on transcripts for weeks, then message “processing taking longer beyond normal time frame”. Called rep and was told just to wait it out. Like I said, waiting………
Is ssa Taxed
Filed 3/8 accepted same day wmr still says processing. Account transcript says 971 no other codes is that good or bad
@Mlronq: Thank you!
Is SSA taxed.
@Mlronq: I definitely will not file early again either. I did finally get a DD date (for today) but my bank account number wrong. So I have to wait for a paper check but I’m moving never week so i don’t know how this will work.
@Mlronq: Over 2 months for me
@ Dirtydog218 yep!!! I’ll never file early again. Been almost 2 months and I just keep being told to wait.
Has anyone else gave up hope at this point? Lol 😂
@ Mamahen0717
Go to irs.gov/reply you can upload them
Does anyone have the fax number to submit 1099/W2 forms for wage verification?
Still processing here lol I feel like there are only a few of us now. lol filed Feb 18 accepted same day/ no codes, no letters, no nothing!!! Called the irs and they told me there’s nothing they can do and that I need to wait.
@Mlronq: contact the Advocates and hope you get someone as nice as who i spoke to and told me exactly what the issue was as far as it being a wage difference between what they had on file and what my W-2 stated that i used to file. when i asked her about if i should just wait it out or file an amended return, she told me NOT to file an amended return because since the IRS had the correct information, there is no need for me to do anything further and that it will be corrected. she also said if i file an amended return, it would take up to 20 weeks for that to process. she highly suggested i just wait out the 60-120 days but she said it should not take that long and i should see my refund by end of April.
Does it take longer for the irs to process form 1040 schedule c tax refunds? I filed through turbo tax on 3/15 got accepted a few hours later. I still have yet to receive the follow up email saying my refund was approved by the irs. Should I be concerned?
@ JBB that’s what I’ve been calling trying to find out. If I knew if there was incorrect info somewhere I could possibly fix it to get things moving but they just tell me they’re reviewing and I have to wait nothing I can do. I’ve never been so frustrated.
Filed 3/4 with TurboTax
Accepted same day
Bottom two transcripts appeared (blank) on 3/10
Remaining transcripts updated 3/17 with 3/22 DDD
Deposit hit Chime a day early, 3/21 (at 1:52pm Pacific)
Fingers crossed for everyone.
i just found out today from talking to someone on the advocate service that the reason for my 570 “Still Processing” is because my W-2 had incorrect information on it and when i filed in Feb, i had no idea that it did not match what the IRS had on file so it was immediately flagged. so now the wait game still goes on. she assigned me an actual advocate so we will see when whoever that is calls me back and we can get this cleared up quicker than the 120 days they said it would take.
Called and IRS and can you believe it???!!! First ring i get a real person. Lol that was the only good thing. She told me that if my WMR says “still processing” with no codes or a letter from the IRS then that’s a good thing. It’s just moving along the system… so yeah that’s all the info i got lol. Filed and accepted 2/28. She told me don’t call back unless I’ve been instructed too..
This site really turned to crap, im no longer interested in coming here to be just as confused as I am when I check wmr.
@NVDIV: you and I have been sailing this boat together for so long now I believe we have became friends at this point. Our relationship has lasted longer than some former relationships. One of mine still shows 3/6 I think that’s the processing date and the one with the interest and what not moved to the 27th from the 6th a few weeks ago. I’m pretty sure we updated at the exact same time with just crap.
@NVDIV: did you call them and get us some information?
@Mlronq: I wish I knew. To me it just means another excuse by the IRS.
@Longtimeago: wait seriously? congressional rep said next follow up is on or before may 9th.
Although I did confirm he submitted the note to have my refund released.
@CarolinaWoman88: My DDD is 3/22 and mine is showing as received on the Santa Barbara website as of this morning.
@GatorFan8912: About 2 days.
@LongtimeComing: Yea in they don’t take it out your check you have to pay them your self cause turbotax sent me a message that I need to pay them.This year has been crazy.