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.
@Janet30145: Patientlywaiting1987
@Patientlywaiting1987: yes
@Patientlywaiting1987: yes
Has anyone using turbo tax been accepted yet today?
Soooooo I was just accepted. Do I now just wait ?
Nevermind I guess it didn’t cause an issue, I just got an email saying it’s accepted my return seven tho I’m path so it doesn’t matter lol
@Patientlywaiting1987: everyone’s says pending on TT it will only change once the IRS accepts it or rejects it
Filed on the 5th through tt still not accepted yet 😩
question i have an ip pin but its under my married last name but i was divorced last year in january so i did my return with my maiden name will it cause issues? my married name had my maiden last name hyphen with his last name now its just my maiden name.
@Gapeach30: Max is 3.
@Tab: Doing fine, hope you doing well. Of the tax software, FreeTaxUSA is my favorite. Never had an issue with them. Two of my kids file with them, and one was accepted yesterday in the test batch. As far as test batches, still plenty of time for a lot more acceptances.:)
Mine says pending on turbo tax. It says it was received at 10:45 cst anyone ever seen this before?
@MSRazorbackPhD: great news hopefully they accept me today
@Hurryup: ok great news thank you
MsDior924
January 17, 2023 at 5:24 pm
Hello all! Back
again for the 11th yr. I forgot my login info. I filed with TT on 1/13 and just got the email that I was accepted about 10 minutes ago
@Quenton: I don’t think anyone has using TT someone said yesterday hopefully today
@Quenton: yes
Happy New Year!! Just filed my return now waiting to get accepted! Hopefully this year goes smoothly 🤞🏽
Greetings everyone. Can you claim more than 3 kids for eic credit max is 6935?
@Quenton: Yesterday, someone said they had been!
Has anyone with TurboTax been accepted in Test Batch?
@MsDior924: Good Morning do you have a simple return or you have kids? I filed with turbo also but I have a son
@Sheila_33: Another year and we’re all back at it. Hope all has been well.
So, question. This is the first year we’ve used FreeTax and filed ourselves. How has your experience been with them? Did you get accepted when it officially opened?
I didn’t file until the 16th so I’m guessing I won’t see an acceptance until the 23rd but as it’s my first year not using HRB I’m apprehensive. 😬
Just waiting on brokerage account info to file. They said it should be available online as early as tomorrow….
@MelloDello53: Hopefully, smooth sailing for everyone.
@Sheila_33: Thanks. Just like last year so next Friday like last year will go in. Hopefully good news for everyone too.
@Russ H: Most likely.
@MelloDello53: Definitely test batch. Congrats!