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.
@Kristin g: it happens sometimes. It happened to me a couple years ago. I am a pather however was accepted and a week later had my refund. Even though on the irs website it still was showing only one bar. But it can happen!!!!
so my transcripts were a little weird it shows the -$XXXX amount in account balance and the codes 150,766,768 and says as of feb 13. is this the normal and signs of path?
@Tigerlili_1: i have code 150 with cycle code 20230405 DATE 2-13-23
Code 806 DATE 4/15/23
CODE 766 DATE 4/15/23
I want to stress to anyone with that as of date of Feb. 13th and the blank transcripts that you still could update today. Transcripts are known to update into the evening. So, deep breath, and we’ll see how things go today. If you don’t update on transcripts, its very likely that you just didn’t get thru to process and you’ll have to wait until next week to cycle and post. Unfortunately, if you’re weekly, its a whole week of waiting, but dailies could see an update anytime. :)
@ConfusedInOhio: we were processed on 1-24 no update yet for ohio
@PleaseHelp1: Yours is doing the same as a few people, my daughter included. Same info. What date were you accepted? What I’m thinking has happened is a few of you have been resequenced. It happens, and its not too scary. It’s just that you didn’t make it through and now have to wait to try to go thru again and process next week.
@PleaseHep1: mine is blank too but I don’t have any path credits do you?
@Walter DOG: no change on wmr still the same
@PleaseHep1: Seems like they’re still working on your return. Check later today.
@Tigerlili_1: Goodmorning! Good to see you again this year how are you?
@Sheila_33: thank you for your help as always
@Walter DOG: transcripts continue to update all day not sure if today is an extended day but I’m in the same boat but I now see the option to view my blank account transcript where as it was n/a yesterday
@NCman828: Not necessarily. Do you have an 846 code with a date? That’s your DDD.
@Walter DOG: transcr