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.
@Phillyhero64: maybe tomorrow or most likely next Saturday as I’m a weekly and no credits
@MaryB: Ok awesome thank you so much :)
@Sosafit24: Im getting the message the return has not been proccessed but it was accepted 1/18/2023
@Phillyhero64: not sure but same lol
@Sheila_33: has her Transcripts updated yet
@DebMom: im in Texas. Is that a correlation
@Mbry0625: delay by day so one day early
@Phillyhero64: same
@Russ1000: If you are a weekly processor, certain things only happen on certain days even if it is finished. The 846 code date is the date I always receive mine on though – no later and occasionally earlier.
@VaGal07: I am in same boat as you. Any idea why?
@DespiseTaxSeason: I believe that (filing a return for that year) is going to be your only option. You can file for free by mailing a paper return.
Hi :) Can someone tell me how to file for the last round of stimulus? Attempted to do it with the 2022 return but it did not give the option. So upon googling it states that it has to be filed with the 2021 return. Tried to do so through TaxAct and its trying to charge $47 to file it with payment having to be made upfront. I called TaxAct to see if theres away around this, and after being transferred to 4 different people, and NONE of them knew the answer. No income was made in 2021 thats why taxes were not filed to begin with.
anyone in Maryland status still says return has not been processed ? It was accepted on 01/23/23 and im still getting this message.
@VaGal07: mine hasn’t changed. Has yours?
@Walt DOG: I guess we’ll watch and see what others messaging does tomorrow. My daughter updated on her transcript Tuesday morning with all 0s on only the account and an as of date of 2/13. No change on Wmr. She was accepted on the 17th.
@Brittany Amador: thank you
@Sheila_33: all NA and I went to I’d verify.gov and logged in but it wouldn’t let me verify so I was told if you need to verify it would let you so I guess that’s not it but I’m weekly and wmr changed this morning to that, I do still have my bars but refund date when available I was accepted on the 19th
@Gwen: I’ve never seen it. Weeklies cut off for processing is acceptance by Tuesday evening.