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.
@ One annoyed chica. many of our returns are triggering some of the system filters so they’re being frozen. Your tax return might be adjusted and they’ll send a letter but just a warning a lot of us have been stuck since January. :(
Hello everyone. I just got off the phone with the IRS I was told I do not need to ID verify however my return is being further reviewed. She said I may receive a letter asking for documents to support what was filed on my taxes but Inwont receive a letter or anything for at least another 180 days from today. I have no idea what the problem is, I have lived in the same home for 19 years, I file my same children, I fil the same income and get DD to the same bank account. None of my info has changed in the last 19 years so I’m really confused as to what need to be further reviewed etc. this is really ridiculous I filed electronically on 2/18 return accepted the same day, I had TT 152 for about week after my return was accepted then it disappeared now I have 810 refund freeze code on my transcripts.
@Me I found this article the other day…completely blew my mind. They know this is a systemic issue but it has yet to be resolved. I’ll post the link…
https://www.taxpayeradvocate.irs.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Most-Serious-Problems-Refund-Processing-Delays.pdf
@Me did you try submitting the hardship application with them? Or contact your congressman? I just submitted an issue to the systemic advocate management system saying how so many people who filed have the 570 hold and can’t get answers from any reps or anything and got an email back saying to call to discuss so I’m gonna call them today bc it’s absolutely ridiculous how long some of us have been waiting.
Never had this happen to me in 27yrs same job same w2 same everything I don’t get it lol crazy but I need mris and brain scan and CT scans done like I need my money and tax advocate won’t help. What should I do
@Mlronqqq: oh so you won’t know till it changes right
@Me that’s just the standard date they put on everyone’s
If I have 4/15 by my codes on my transcript except the 570/971 holds. Should it be finished by 4/15 I got letters almost 60 days ago
Has anyone ever been audited and have them close it sooner than later and release your refund ! If
So now long and was ur return ! Trying to remain hopeful it won’t take till mid June like my letters stated ir could ! It’s been 36 days since I sent
In all my proof and I filed and excepted Feb 8th ! Self employed ctc eic
Filed 01/19.
12C Cleared 03/31.
Spoke to my advocate last Friday, went under a 60 day review then.
My CPA had to send in our employment verification letters, to get us out of the review and she was told by 04/21 we should be all clear to get the DDD since we have hardship, and expedition.
@ VAL VAL do you have any dependents or get the CTC EIC? It’s just saying that’s one of your tax credits you’ll be receiving.
FINALLY called and got the 120 day review bla bla bla
August 2nd is 120 days for me. If they wanna pay the interest I’ll wait. lol
@Mlronqqq: but i have code 766 credit to your account with date 4-15-2023?? what does that mean ??
@Bdbx your cycle code can change but I’ve always been 05 so you should see transcript updates on fridays. Once they add your return to the master file you’ll be able to see your transcripts and check for codes.
@VAL VAL if you have a 570 hold like some of us you might be waiting a while. Hopefully not though. The 971 notice issued date is when you should expect them to send your notice either asking for information or just saying to wait
I filed my e-filed tax return in march. 2 weeks later i got a letter in the mail stating it was going to take up to 60 days to verify the information, I got my taxes done by my CPA. then i checked my transcript and i have code 150 tax return filed 4/10/2023 (which is not correct) then i have code 766 credit to your account with date 4-15-2023 then goes to code 5701 additional accont action pending with date 4-10-2023 (which we are past that date) then goes to code 971 notice issued 4-17-2023( which we are not here yet) with the amount 0.00 next to it. What I’m confused about is the code 766 with the date 4-15-2023 does that mean it was approved for refund??
Hello. Im confused. I thought you get a different cycle code every year. Yet, all prior years my cycle code is always 05. So I can assume it will be 05 this year too? Also…
If this current year’s transcript has not posted yet, how am I suppose to see any information. I feel like so many people are having information from their transcripts but everything I find says transcripts won’t show up until it’s processed? But when it’s processed I wouldn’t need the transcript infor anymore, right?
Hello. Im confused. I thought you get a different cycle code every year. Yet, all prior years my cycle code is always 0y. So I can assume it will be 04 this year too? Also…
If this current year’s transcript has not posted yet, how am I suppose to see any information. I feel like so many people are having information from their transcripts but everything I find says transcripts won’t show up until it’s processed?
anyone get any updates this morning?
Ah, forget about what time the refund drops, the Oklahoma refund was pending and then just disappeared, with a text message from my card company saying that I had to upgrade to a chip card by Apr 12th or they would reject all 3rd party drops, including government refunds. I upgraded immediately, and now they say the new card comes in 7-10 days. My federal still shows pending for the 12th on my current card, but the Oklahoma is still disappeared.
I know that the Federal will come to you in a paper check if it’s rejected by your bank, but State is different for each. I was only in OK for the year, can anyone tell me what is done for rejecteds there?
I did my ID verification today, how long should it take to get my refund?
@Melissa: it seems as if even the slightest few dollars off from what you file as opposed to what the IRS has on file is flagging their system this year.. this is why waiting for your W2 to come from your employer vs using your last of the year paystub is so important..
@zhosa: i was havin that issue of my comments not showin up a few weeks back but then they mysteriously started posting all of a sudden and i was able to comment again.. so weird!
@zhosa: isnt it great how one rep tells us one thing and then another turns around and tells us something completely different. such consistency with it all.
I read that some people are suing the irs for refund holdups. I might try thst
@ Melissa I wish I knew honestly. Most of the time if it’s not a major change the irs will self correct but it seems that this year they’re having some issues doing so.
@zhosa oh no :(((( ugh I’m sorry! Now I’m worried once again lol when I called she told me my return was assigned to someone and being processed but I don’t have a clue how long that’ll take. I’m sure I’d still be waiting if I hadn’t filed the amended return anyway though bc everyone else stuck in this boat still hasn’t gotten updates. I felt better knowing it was assigned but who knows how many other returns they have to process before they get to mine.
I used my last paysrub when I did my taxes. It may be off a little. Should I do an amended return? Would it be quicker?
i am starting to feel like we are posting to advocates or something, everytime i try to post my details, they are flagged.
i am starting to feel like we are posting to advocates or something, everytime i try to post my details, they are flagged.she was no help, she read it wrong, like i thought. I was assigned an advocate, who will be calling me tomorrow (supposedly).
@ zhosa wait so what happened after you called back on Friday?! I thought you had gotten good news the first time?
I was told today that the “systems error” issue is showing to be lifted for me in 5 days, still can’t view transcript ( wmr still on 1 bar still). Hopefully this will be coming to an end since I filed on the 2/7 (I know some have been waiting alot longer. I’ll update next week.
i was under the impression i wasn’t assigned one, according to this nasty agent i got on friday.
off the phone now….was told my advocate should be calling on tomorrow at the end of the 2 weeks from assignment date, so we will see what happens.
@Jay: thanks
@zhosa: sent 2 messages, 1 on friday (after my call) and 1 a few minutes ago….strange.
@Jay: my comments are not being allowed (not sure why)
@zhosa: any updates?
@Melissa: that seems to be the #1 reason for all of the holds this year