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.
Hey there I’m sure you e answered this plenty but it’s my first year with transcripts. I got the 846 refund issued 2-1-2023 But my wmr is still 1 bars can I experct my refund the first.
@sheila_33
Finally remembered to log in.
Is there a particular reason they resequence returns?
Thanks for your help
Has anyone that had zeros or NA on transcripts this morning updated to transcripts filled in. I’m nervous to recheck mine. Lol. There were quite a few of us this morning so im curious to see if anyone else updated throughout the day or if we were possibly resequenced. 😩
@sheila_33
Finally remembered to log in.
Is there a particular reason they resequence returns?
Do you think that the wmr will change tomorrow since adding an extra week would make it a day over the 21 days?
Thanks for your help
Wow. Moving fast this year.
Return accepted 23 Jan. This morning Transcript updated 846 1 Feb! Good luck to all of you.
@Marco: You should start seeing at least one of your 2022 transcripts by now (even if it doesn’t have any information – e.g. it will say something along the lines of ‘nothing has been filed yet’) – But don’t take that as Gospel coming from me. You may not see a thing until you’re officially processing. I currently have one transcript, I THINK it is my income transcript (haven’t looked since the wee hours of the morning and I don’t recall…) and it says nothing has been filed yet. But the other 3 categories say “N/A” …hope that helps.
@Proffiteer: I was accepted the 17th. When should I be seeing transcripts? Or will I only see transcripts once it has been approved?
I have code 150 $0.00 code766and 768 with – with the amount what does this mean as of date 2/13/2023
@Marco: Yeah, if you haven’t processed yet – but have been accepted, that is normal.
For this year my transcripts say n/a. Is that normal?
Hoping all goes well for everyone this year! Filed on TT on the 24th and accepted the same day. Just sitting patiently at one bar on WMR and no transcripts yet. Praying it isn’t like last year. By the end of Feb 2022, WMR never moved and I got a letter from the IRS basically stating that I was being audited. Thankfully I always pay the extra money for TT’s offer of audit protection. I sent them the necessary info and they took it from there. But I never heard a thing for the rest of the calendar year – and honestly had forgotten about it. Until early December I woke up to my refund in my checking account plus interest. Audit was successful and no issues were found. Just luck of the draw, I guess.
@biscuit51556: I believe until at least 5PM sometimes later on an extended day
@Twinkie: I dont think it matters if checking or savings is checked correctly only that the routing and account number is to a open account. You should be good
Do transcripts update all day on friday’s for weeklys?
@Mamatrilogy3: Generally a few minutes later. You look on sbtpg?
Reposting this in hopes someone has insight. Also adding that I filed and was accepted on the 23rd. My transcripts are all filled out with cycle 20230405 and the 768 hold for EIC. And then code 150 and 766, no other codes.
But back to my original question 😅
So the IRS sent me a letter asking me to verify some income for my 2020 year. They just want me to send proof or explanation rather by the February 15th which is fine. I’m working on it this weekend.
My question is though do you think they will they hold this year’s refund until they are done with whatever is going on with the 2020 return?
As of now I don’t have a debt owed to them or anything
@Sheila_33: Thank you so much I figured being in the test batch meant nothing lol I was prepared to get it next Month I just wanted to know how early since i have an early deposit card Chime I get my pay check two days before
Filed 1-27-23, accepted same day.
@Mamatrilogy3: It’s all computer, it might be a back up in their system, but nothing to do with man power. My uncle had ne use TT to do his, he was accepted within 30 minutes of sending.
@2020 was a long year: I truly blame TT. It has zero to do with IRS. TT is holding returns because they don’t have enough power to process all of them quick enough. It should resolve soon
Still no return trans update I think I was resequenced 😭
@Ty83: Its ok. It can be confusing. You’re under a path hold until Feb 15th. Then you’ll process and the 846 refund code will post. The Feb 13 as of date means nothing for you at this point and it will change once you process. The 846 is what will have the refund date beside it.
Hello everyone this year it has been moving fast for me I filed 1/23/23 and I am a weekly and my transcripts have already updated I’m on path so I know I won’t see the beautiful 846 til next month
@Mamatrilogy3: I am still waiting to move out of “pending” No joke….this is driving me crazy…
How long after IRS acceptance does it take for Credit Karma to update? This is so nerve wracking
@Pissed2023: I filed about this time of day on the 24th and nothing for me….just “pending’, Keep me/us updated please and I will do the same.
So the IRS sent me a letter asking me to verify some income for my 2020 year. They just want me to send proof or explanation rather by the February 15th which is fine. I’m working on it this weekend.
My question is though will they hold this year’s refund until they are done with whatever is going on with the 2020 return?
As of now I don’t have a debt owed to them or anything
@Sheila_33: I think so i seen as of date 2/13/23
150
806 with an amount
766 with an amount
768 earned income
Ms. Sheila I’m so confused lol because I know I’m Path always Gotten my taxes in Feb
last year i Got my taxes 2/24/22 only Different I getting it Deposit on my Chime Card this Year
@Mamatrilogy3: what time did you file on the 24th?
I show a DDD on WMR of 1/31 and WF posted it today!!
@Brittany Amador: yes it’s still open it’s just a different account number than the checking, it was mistakenly checked off as savings instead of checking. I just want to know if there will be a delay, thanks
@Sebastian: they update all day and sometimes past 5pm on extended days