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.
@Walter DOG: Hopefully it is smooth sailing for everyone who got in the test batch this season. It seems things were snagged last year.
@Walter DOG: Yes i remembered that happened to you..I don’t think I’m going to try the test batch again..Good luck to you…I’ll keep you posted .Hopefully I’ll update Monday going into Tuesday
So I updated to the path this morning. I was wondering after the path lifts when do you think the early cards for weekly deposit? I know the holiday may mess things up.
@Amy19: test batch is anytime you get accepted before opening day this year was 23rd I was accepted the 19th
@Walter DOG: When is the test batch? Is it the same time each tax year? I haven’t ever tried to get in to it. It seems like it is not always a good thing to be in the test batch. Luck of the draw maybe? Thanks
I been using and helping people here for over 10 years and it is slow in here this year don’t know why but I miss my usual buddies in here hope it picks up it helps to see and help everyone with the same issues or similar to yours
I filed 1/24 and was accepted the same day I woke up to the path message transcripts filled in. Hopefully it goes smith this year any other year path be taking weeks to come for me.
@Yandyy: I’m trying not to worry I been through audit in 2021 and it’s not fun but got my refund in August,I have always updated Thursday night into Friday and wmr update on Saturday don’t know what’s up this year I wish I would of waited and not got in the test batch last time I was in test batch I had id verify
Just got the accepted email for federal, took about 8 hours.
Transcripts are all na but account. It’s blank like I didn’t file, but I filed the 20th and was accepted the 22nd… no PATH message on refund app, just says processing, anyone know what’s going on? I do have eic and atc
@Stillwaitinginfairburnga: wait do you not have ACTC OR EIC?
@Shelia_33
When you go to PATH Message does that mean your approved?
@Walter DOG: I’m not sure but you maybe a daily now..Let’s see what happens this coming week..Please don’t get too worried yet..Relax lol…I won’t get worried yet…Not true I’m already lol ..I think we will be fine. I’ll keep you updated
@Jenny: my federal is still on pending but if everything go smoothly I should update with out the path
@Michael B and @RunMeMyMoney (And anyone else getting their returns rejected for this reason) – Found that the F8960-019-04 is a known issue on the IRS website with an expected resolution of 2/5. Link to IRS site https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-schema/ty2022-known-issues-and-solutions.xlsm (might have to copy and paste) and scroll down almost to the bottom and you’ll see it there. Hopefully they actually get it fixed on 2/5!
@Yandyy: thanks I was accepted with free tax USA on the 19 filed the 15 and my trans are NA but my wmr has the bars but still processing and refund date when available I always been weekly but some reason my wmr changed to that message Fraday morning
Personally I’ve never got the path act message
@Stillwaitinginfairburnga: no
@Stillwaitinginfairburnga: No, as soon as your return processes and posts the 846, you’ll have a refund date.
If I didn’t have any of the path credits do I have to wait for path to see a date
Umm!!! My son DDD February 2nd but nothing posted on his Chime yet Ummmm!!!
Hello,
I filed 01/28 and accepted same day. My mom asked if I received a 1099 from my bank and I have not. I looked online and with my account and my husbands account we have less than $2 in interest. Should I amend my return??
@Walter DOG: Hey how are you?It says we have received your return. If you filed a complete and accurate tax return..1 bar. The amount and Tax Topic..My 2022 transcripts is NA..Filed with freetaxusa on the 17th evening..Excepted 19th in afternoon..I’m a daily
@Amy19: that’s my girl…see everyone needs to follow directions and use Free Tax USA better outcome and guess what it’s Free Free Free 😀
@Keisha: the reason why it’s still showing N/A due to them not finishing the process you’re return is still processing
Anyone who was accepted on the 26th able to see transcripts yet. Mine still says N/A
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Refund Status Results
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Return ReceivedRefund ApprovedRefund Sent
Your return has been received and is currently being processed.Your return has been received and is currently being processed.
We have received your tax return and it is being processed.
If you filed a complete and accurate tax return, your refund should be issued within 21 days of the received date. However, processing may take longer under certain circumstances.
Please check here or use our free mobile app, IRS2Go, to check on your refund status.
Please read the following information related to your tax situation:
Tax Topic 152, Refund Information