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.
@NY-Khidd: does that mean i will see my refund anytime after the 15 ?? So they finished with my taxes completely?
@Vanesa: done processing no audit or anything so when oath lift you will see the 846 … IF IT WASNT for path you would of had the 846 already with 2/1/23 like others without any path credits . My brother has ddd 2/1 no path credits or dependents
Just keep checking transcripts .. (refund date provided when available) .. I got the path message for the first time last year (fees paid up front and I was in the test batch last year) .. if you have path you won’t even see the path message with that status message it will just update to 2 bars when path is released . Pay attention to ya as of date . The system has to do something with your return BY THAT DATE .. request for audit … review … process with the 846 etc
Refund date when available … I got that status message twice I believe in 2017 and 2019 .. I believe it just mean you were resequenced . Usually the next update you should get your 2 bars with DDD
Hand itching .. that tax money must be on the MOVE 😂💀 It only happen around this time of year btw lmao
@Sheila_33: hi I been stalking this thread for years and never have I spoke or commented on here. Everyone is very helpful. With that being said I need a little help . I filed 1/28 and accepted 1/28. But I added my door dash 1099nec to my other schedule c .instead of making it it own separate schedule c ! Now it looks like I made all of my 1099 income on one schedule c. Will the irs be able to tell the difference since door dash has its own ein number and wages . Or will it look like door dash paid my other business ? Witch is in my name still and same social security number. ? Just a little confused:(
@Walter DOG: I totally agree. It seems like just those early filers. I wonder if we all have to ID verify.
My transcripts have code 150 806 766 768 what is after this?? Amd wmr says path act?
@Calisunshine: yea it is interesting that seems like the 17 through 20 test batch ones are getting these messages maby I’m wrong but seems that way
@Walter DOG: very. I guess we will see uhn?
Has anyone that had transcripts update Friday to 2022 showing but empty, had an update to their transcripts and/or WMR? At first I thought my transcript looked like that because the IRS was working on them still.
@Calisunshine: we’ll I used free tax USA and was accepted on 19 and have same thing with my bars that’s interesting isn’t it
@Walter DOG: still being processed refund date when available
@Calisunshine: do you have still being processed refund date when available or just still being processed
@•°Karma°•: when we’re you accepted I have the same thing on wmr my transcripts say NA I was accepted on 19 using Free Tax USA trying to see if test batch is common with some getting this
@MoCarr2118: ok yea this still processing always worries me I have my bars and still processing amount gone and refund date when available,the only other time I had that message I lost my bars and had 570 code on my Transcript I was being reviewed got my refund in March but later got audit on my kids but my transcripts say NA
This link can explain “still being processed” in some situations and the definition of resequencing.
https://igotmyrefund.com/irs-resequenced-or-unpostable-tax-return/
@•°Karma°•: I have the same thing ,I was accepted on the 19 using Free Tax USA ,when we’re you accepted and Mike told me on here that he had that same message with the bar and amount gone and updated to refund Friday and wmr Saturday