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.
@Azluckyfish: mine are also 0s with the date of the 13th
@Sheila_33: oh and yes as of date Feb 13th
@Sheila_33: so account transcripts are zeros
@Azluckyfish: So to clarify. Are they n/a or are they 0s with the Feb 13th date?
@Azluckyfish: I’m starting to see a pattern here with returns filed on the 19th.
@Ohio girl: I’m going to look back thru the chat and see if I can find any kind of pattern. I recall that a user Mike had that similar message and he updated to a refund date. Go to the search bar and type that name in and see if you find anything. There will be 2 but I know one had that message Thursday I think.
@Akt: mines the same as yours accepted 19th also
Transcript is still blank. My name isn’t even all the way filled out. Wmr on one bar. Accepted the 19th.
@Sheila_33: my account Transcripts are blank and my wmr never changed still the same your return is being processed with my bar showing is this good sign I just wasn’t processed maybe next week
@Sheila_33: the wage one says 2022 the other 3 are na
Wow have path act on WMR. Crazy. My as of date is 2/13 and cycle code is 05. Ready for the 15th!!
Wow the IRS is fast this year. Accepted last Friday and all my transcripts are done. I’m on paths, so will have to wait. But wow!
@Ohio girl: Good morning. Are all the transcripts n/a?
Wow Updated fast.
I’m on the path already..
Filled 1/25
Waiting on 2/15 yay. ..good luck yall
Good Morning!
I’m a weekly. WMR updated to DDD 2/1. Good luck to all!
@sheila_33
Transcripts still at na this morning.
Wmr changed to still being processed and a refund date will be updated. All my info still on the left including my expected refund amount. Is. This because of resequence do you think?
WMR just went to 2nd bar for me.
Transcript are blank and my wmr never changed still the same your return is being processed is this good sign I just wasn’t processed maybe next week
Hello everyone…I was accepted by the IRS of the 01-24 and I am a weekly, was able to order both transcripts today and just checked, and I received a DD date for 02-01. I filed without children under 17 and no school credits. Good luck to everyone!
@Uhhkakis: Bar is GONE* not done sorry
Weekly here. I got the PATH act message in WMR. The bar is done. Say no movement until Mid to Late Feb. Lets see!
Please help, I still haven’t received my 2021 tax refund but on the irs status site it says “ we have received your tax refund and it has being processed” but before this update it says STILL being processed and my transcript still shows N/A please help does it mean I’m getting my payment soon ?
@Messiah: 05 can be weekly or daily. All weeklies are 05 but not all 05’s are weeklies
I see my cycle codes have changed…. Am I a weekly now?