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.
@Yandyy: hi Yancy. What does your wmr say?
Anyone file today still waiting to be accepted? I filed a few hours ago but haven’t gotten the “we have received your return” yet. Is it taking hours or days?
Thanks
@MelloDello53: hello what does your wmr say? I have still being processed no tax topic. Wondering if I’m being resequenced.
@Walter DOG: I’m sorry I meant 2022
I was going to wait until Monday to check my refund but I seen a beautiful German Shepherd on Craigslist that I really want and he’s only asking a small rehoming fee paperwork shots up to date, so I checked anyway today, yes I was approved my deposit date is February 1st this is really quick I filed on the 11th was accepted on the 18th
@Walter DOG: Hey how are you?Myself and my sister both filed on January 17th it evening with freetaxact.Was excepted o the 19th Both are daily. Nothing has changed on either side.Just W2 .We both didn’t update this week. Transcripts are still NA for 2020. HOPEFULLY this coming week.Good luck to you
@Sheila_33: Good afternoon Sheila! I hope all is going smoothly here.
@Michael: Yes. It also means they have to do something by then. But just like last year I will get refund issued date or DDD ON FEBRUARY 3RD VICE WEDNESDAY THE 1ST OF FEBRUARY. Just so could be February 10th vice 8 February for me.
@MelloDello53: has nothing to do with that it’s a date the IRS sets to have your return processed by
I think I just figured it out the as of date 13 February 2023 minus 10 days would be my DDD and of course I would get mine two days early since I have the early bird card. Last year got DDD of 28 January and received refund on the 26th. Since I was resequenced I think this would be spot on.
@Amuz2: I believe if that catches up with you it will happen in 6 months if ever. It should not get reported in time to have any affect on your current return.
@AMUZ2 I got one too for the interest they paid me for an amended return, I sure hope it doesnt hold mine up.
Quick question..I already have been accepted and on path message..I have all good codes on transcript..I just received a 1099 from irs for 15 dollars of interest..since I didn’t include this in my return.. will it slow my refund
@Sheila_33: thanks Sheila don’t know what we would do without you
@Walter DOG: No, it doesn’t mean you couldn’t have been resequenced. You just may not have gotten thru at all, that might be why the “still being processed”. It’s a possibility anyway
@Sheila_33: Since my transcripts are NA and nothing else no as of date does that mean it could not of been resquenced
@804VA: I suspect you’ve been resequenced like quite a few others. Your return didn’t finish processing and now you’ll have to go thru again next week.