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.
@Jenny: hi Jenny what does your wmr say? Mine went to still processing.
@Tommy D.: same here! No update yet.
@Annaka: As others have stated, 424 is an audit code. All you can do now is wait for the official letter from the IRS. I’m not sure I understand though – if the audit code is for your 2021 taxes that you filed last year, then you can still proceed with filing your taxes for this year. If it is for the 2022 taxes that you’ve already filed, then you’re stuck waiting on the IRS document that will arrive certified mail, and go through the audit process. And yes, it will be some time before it gets resolved/you get your money. I don’t want to burden you at all with the information, but my audit from last year…I didn’t see my money until early December. Once my audit was complete and no discrepancies were found, they owed me my full return plus accumulated interest because they held it all year. Hope that help, and sorry you got audited. But that doesn’t mean you did anything wrong. You just got randomly pulled, as I did, last year.
@ImpatientScorpio: If nothing was taken, then you wouldn’t be getting any back. :)
@Kayden: No, it shouldn’t be delayed.
@Annaka: 424 is a request for exam. Might fall off on next update or they will place the 420 audit code. Is there a notice issued 971 with a date beside it?
@Jenny: did your refund go smoothly tho or did you have to verify or anything? Did you update to path this morning? Freaking out a little lol
@SLP921: same here I didn’t update this week :/
@Ohio Girl: If his name is first, then his wmr is what the system will reflect.
@KYMama22: same here I was accepted on the 18th thought I’d update yesterday but did not it still says N/A for me but we’ll most likely update next Friday if you’re a weekly. I don’t mind anyways I’m a PATHER! Last time I was accepted early this happened to me smh
@Annaka: 424 is audit code I got that code year before last ,you will need to send in documents on your dependents and filing status they will send you a packet showing what to send in
Good morning everyone, just a little update,this morning I updated to the path message all transcripts are filled in with good codes, only waiting on the 846. Good luck guys they moving pretty fast this year💯💯🙏