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 āqueueā 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.
I might have a dumb question, lol… I have been using this site for years, but how do I get that particular block of info in blue that everyone has? I check my transcripts and that is where I have just always looked for any info…
@Sheila_33: hey lady! Ya I checked it out but still donāt know when itāll be in cause Iām a weekly not daily so idk when itāll be in girl!?
@Sheila_33: yes
@Sheila_33: I can see my transcripts. Iām just lost as to what to do right now
@Monee: said mine was. All of them not the page I previously went to
@Jenny04: Hey, nice to see you back, lady. Admin has worked up a calendar of cycle and refund dates:
https://igotmyrefund.com/irs-e-file-refund-cycle-chart-2023/
Hey group! Long time no see!! Well just filed today 02/01 and Iām a PATHer. So when does everyone think taxes will be in?? It saying end of Feb beginning of March but idk anymore with irs.
@Gwen: Is that additional credit on that transcript?
@Margarita: 766 is for a refundable credit such as ACTC
@Newman: mine still says unavailable won’t even allow me to choose which or why hopefully it’s updating
@Gwen: If you can’t see your transcripts online, and you updated to the path message, it’s hard to say if it’s going to be an issue or not. If you cycle thru and they send a refund with that additional credit that your preparer added in, then you’ll need to amend and send that portion back. The Irs may catch it and fix on its own, if its an obvious mistake, but if not, they may place a hold on the return and ask for verification of that credit.
@Sheila_33: yes I see the transcripts and I donāt see any bad codes
@Amy19: still not accepted as of 2:15pm
@Gwen: Can you see the transcript online?
@Gwen: if you’re on path and don’t have bad codes you may be ok
@DebMom: That’s strange. I did just check mine and I could get in
Our tax preparer put us down for the additional child tax credit which we dont qualify for. I called and they now see it is a mistake. Anyone know what will happen with my return now? Iām on path according to wmr
@Kimmpoo: same hereā¦.filed with H&R Block on 01/25 and was accepted almost immediately. N/A on transcripts, and WMR is on the first bar with TT 152 and ābeing processedā. Iām hoping we see updates this Friday!