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.
So my WMR updated to path act and transcripts all have 2022 and have my negative amount owed and when I log in it shows my 2022 tax refund info with AGI. So does this mean I’m processed and just waiting on path to lift?
@sheila_33 There is NO TAX TOPIC 152 either / I claimed my son for the last 6 years / is this normal? I am EIC AND CHILD TAX CREDIT / I filed Jan 20 and was accepted on Jan 21
@Walter DOG: thank u! Cuz everything looks good just on path so waiting for that to lift
@ sheila_33 and @Walter DOG /
My WMR went from 1 bar to ZERO BARS AND IT SAYS it is STILL BEING PROCESSED/ I have filed the same way every year for 6 years no issues I used TAXSLAYER …what does this mean?
@Lillady44: doesn’t matter about wmr if transcripts look good that’s what counts that wmr can be glitching
Hey y’all. Back again. Hope all is well! I just submitted my taxes with Eic/act and was accepted 14 mins later. Happy tax season everyone! May God bless!
@Stever: Praying for you Brother it just might work it self out I have seen it done just drop off
@Jenny: what do you mean by just one bar
Good Morning/Afternoon, updated on the Path.
@Walter DOG: I hope so. This is the first year I wont starve without it, but man haha. Sucks. I’ll keep ya guys posted. I know I use the search function a lot and people dont post their resolutions enough.
@Jimmytea: Not really bad news their system could be glitching or at worst it’s id verify that’s not so bad only delayed mine a week last time I had to but if it doesn’t fix that might be it but then again I have seen people stay that way and refund hit their bank
@Jimmytea: mine shows the same but my transcript is showing all the info just waiting on path
@Stever: Since you had audit in 2020 they might drop it off sure hope they do brother it’s a hassle I know but it’s a chance they will drop it off since you went through it in 2020
Where’s my refund no longer shows my info. Says info doesn’t match. Guess bad news for me.
@Walter DOG: wouldn’t surprise me, just wasn’t sure I was just audited and have the 811. Well see :( haha
@MicaNC: just one bar. I’m being resequenced fml lol
@Jenny: I’have my bars I’m on received then there’s approved and sent and it says still processing a refund date when available tax topic 152
@Stever: loooks like it I’m sorry but that 424 is request for exam and it will turn into 420 exam of tax return unless it drops off that has happened but rare,Sheila knows more about that I went through audit in 2021 and got my refund in July or early August but July I think@MicaNC: