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.
@Newman: If your transcripts updated to the blank 0s and a Feb 13th as of date on Thursday. I’d be checking each day to see if they update. You may have been a daily processing with the weeklies last year.
@Dewy: I know I was like really ?! 2:30 am lol. But I had to wait until the 29th to file from TurboTax so not bad a one day acceptance. If I was to guess based on previous years might see it this weekend
@Sheila_33: my account status says Your 2022 Tax Return Is Not Processed. Does that mean no updates for me today?
Anyone know why I would get a package from International Revenue Service Detroit Michigan? It came through my informed delivery email under the package section but isn’t due to be delivered until tomorrow.
The past 4 years my codes have switched: 05, 04, 05, ,01. Last year as an 05 my deposit was on a Wed. Does that mean weekly and will hopefully update Thurs?? This year I filed 1/23 morning, accepted mid-day 1/23 and I have had blank transcripts since Thursday morning. Thanks!
@Mariana: No it shouldn’t be more than a few days.
@Sheila_33: how long could that take so another 2 weeks to look at my taxes?
@Dewy. I filed/accepted MA on the 26th. Historically for me its always been exactly 2 weeks from acceptance to deposit
@Mariana: As soon as that c freeze (path) is lifted, then the return will have to cycle thru again to place the 846 if no other codes are added.
@Audra: so I actually just called SBTPG to hear what their automated system had to say. It said my refund in the amount of $**** is “being processed and should be available within 2 business days from today.”
Better not be two days. Better be today. Haha. Hope they don’t play games this year.
Did transcript updates happen last wednesday?
@DrBlute: :) That is prettty early in the day :)
@pete711: it’s not stuck it just hasn’t been accepted yet it’s barely been over 24 hours🤦🏻
@SandraA: same situation here almost exactly filed and accepted 1/24 1 bar on WMR my message still simply states we have received your return and it is being processed with normal 21 day message and tax topic 152 all info and amounts still show on left side N/A on all trans. Except wage and income it has 2022 but when I click it says “no record of return filed” my return is pretty standard the same as every year EIC CTC the only difference is I had a 1095A this year.. I’m not super concerned just need things to go right this year last year was a nightmare for me– please update if your status changes :)
@Sbw10, @ Proffiteer – Filed 1/24/2023 TT, Accepted 1/24/23. WMR updated today & states “Still Being Processed” 2021 Transcripts (3) N/A , 2022 bottom right states “No Return On File” and all blank. No changes to prior year transcripts. Usually, in prior years my transcripts update Friday. Account states “Your 2022 is Not Processed”, no monies owed from prior years. Hopefully, no additional delays nor issues. Keeping my fingers crossed.
Morning i have 150 806 766 768 codes on transcripts and as of date 2/13 and path message . My question is is my refund done being looked at completely and after lift will i receive my refund date or will they have to process again and have to continue to wait?
@Dewy: yes 2:30 am I got a text they accepted my return lol
@TimMash: that’s what I’m thinking afternoon early evening
@Sbw10: Filed and Accepted 1/24 via TurboTax -same as always for me. No movement here either. Bottom two transcripts are blank, Top two are N/A… 1 bar on WMR with “we’ve received your return and it is being processed.” With tax code 152 and amount. That’s all. Hope that helps.
@Audra: Same here. Hopefully by this afternoon!
Anyone with movement on MA state?
I got my refund in just 5 business days.!!..Two days earlier than what WMR shows, which was to be on 02/01/23. I am with Chime. I filed on the 20th, got accepted on the 23, my deposit hit card early afternoon on the 30th. 🤗
@Lisa from buffalo not signed in: What time of day were you accepted? I got resequenced 4 years ago after filing 2 days before the official opening. I don’t file my taxes before they officially open anymore as I go resequenced twice in 5 years… Then 2 years ago I filled out my Medical Advanced premium tax credit forms wrong and my taxes were delayed 3 month… It is always an adventure out there. Hang in there.
@ol boy: Although I do not have a DDD yet, I do use Chase and I remember two years back on my DDD date, my funds weren’t deposited until later that afternoon/evening for some reason. You’re correct, Chase usually processes everything by 3AM, but I have seen this before with tax refunds/deposits into Chase accounts.