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.
@AngieInMichigan: mine is same as yours
Shows old address and all zeros and as of date Feb 12th
I’m thinking if you are a weekly and received a transcript with all zeros it will probably update throughout the day, hopeful thinking so take it with a grain of salt.
@RedHen73: Weeklies with no path credits that update next week would see a ddd of 2/7
If we are resequenced what’s the estimated ddd gonna be? I was originally hoping for a 01/31 date.
2023 is now clickable. Still shows my old address and all 0’s. Assuming that means I’ve been resequenced. Oh well, I’m sure it will populate next week. Not like populating would get me my refund any faster.
@Txnate: oh i did not know that, sheesh they need to update this. Wonder if they use AOL still
@2blessed: @Jae: Mine is the same. I’m sure it will finish updating soon
@DebMom: I’ve always been able to see my transcript even as a pather. I’ve even seen all my codes and my 846 hit after 2/15
@Jae: considering the age of the hardware the irs uses…. its nearly 60 years old
All the zeros might finish filling in later today, transcripts can still update throughout the day today. This happened to me last year. If not, it will for sure finish up next week.
Wierd I dont have the Return or Record document available both are still N/A. Just the Account is available with it being filled out as much as 3rd Grader could
I’m able to see my 2023 Account Transcript. It’s still showing 0. My as of date is feb 12th. Can this still update through out the day? Or will I have to wait until next week.
Now I’m able to see some
@TnNurse37: you’re welcome. I think this is the 4th time this happened to me. Lol. Yet I keep coming back to the test batch