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.
@Txmomof3girls: A little birdie told me you were deep in the IRM with a theory. I like it. Found this that I haven’t dived into yet but wanted to share with you. #deepdive #irm
https://www.irs.gov/irm/part21/irm_21-002-003r#idm139985111848512
The key might be the type requested and the year.
@Breezy336bay: Heres a good place that helps explain what’s on your transcript:
https://igotmyrefund.com/irs-transaction-codes-and-error-codes/
@Txnate: what is the cycle code, what is the as of date?
@Txnate: Me!! I have the IDverify under the notifications in my IRS account, but no mail or letters showing up on my acct. However, I noticed that my prior year transcipts are all stuck with the same as of date as 2023. 🤷‍♀️
@RidiculousTaxSeason: I was accepted the 19th and I am now on the Path
@Sheila_33: anytime! I was looking to see if I could figure out what cause my return to get flagged but I have determined nothing and am thinking it’s because I switched my bank account information after so many years. Although I did some reading on that and apparently the IRS flagged over 1 million tax returns last year alone for ID verify so they are probably on tract for that same number this year.
@Patrat38: approved or accepted? It should say accepted on January 23rd, not approved.
TurboTax said my refund was approved on January 23and the amount was approved but not shit in my direct deposit
@@Txmomof3girls: Thanks for sharing that. 🤗
Good afternoon everyone. I’m checking to see who else was accepted opening day, 1/29, and their 2023 is NA. I am a daily, no change all week. I know I have read of a few on here who have had their 2023 populate a day or two after being accepted opening day. Thanks
@Honeybee82: I’m starting to think there’s something with this date the 19th I’m seeing a lot of people on here that were accepted on the 19th that aren’t having any movement and are stuck.
@Honeybee82: are you a pather? either way we gotta see something happen this week for us
@Txnate: I would try the work around for ordering your transcripts. If you have to ID verify for 2023 then they will have to release that. Just stick to not being able to access online, through automated system and no time to file form 4506-T.
So we all get paid on the 16th
@Txnate: Me, Me, Me….! 🙋🏻‍♀️ Still stuck on 02/12 with all 0’s, “still processing” on WMR, and zero notices about having to verify. At this point I’m not even sure if I’m still a weekly or switched to a daily….I haven’t had any movement since I was accepted on the 19th.
As of date on last year transcript also updated to 2/19/24 .. I filed an amendment well over a year ago hopefully they process that one like they did wit my return this year . PATH message waiting on the 16th
@ChelleB: it was just saying the regular message about them processing the return and if you filed an accurate tax return & the 21 days and it had a tax topic of 152
@MsCali: Thank you I can’t figure out how to see if anyone responded to me, this site is new to me this year! LOL