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.
@Mike: same here
@Malia: Any new dates on codes on the 2021?
@Monee: I’m hoping the date sticks. Let me know. :(
@VaGal07: I am getting the same
@Benita: you won’t see the offset on your account transcript for a few weeks… call the offset line after you get your 846 and see if it is resolved
@Sheila_33: Return and Account of Return. They have all the summary info filled in but Account of Return isn’t completely finished on the top section. It still has zeros but the summary at the bottom of the page says refund per computer and it has my amount. I will give them a bit and then go back in to check.
I have an offset from NY State, waiting to see my account transcript to see if they garnished my refund.
When I log in the 1st screen says tax return not processed the tax record screen shows my 2022 results with this year’s refund and then all my transcripts say 2022 the talk to her filled in but the bottom 2 aren’t no codes but everything else is there
My return transcript is complete but account still says n/a.
Mine just changed to Feb 20 again. Still blank and n/a. I guess there’s a problem with my return. It’s ok though. I’m happy to see everyone else finally updating!!!
So far my transcripts say N.A. but 2021 has as of date of Feb 13 2023 so hopefully that a good sign that’s it’s gonna update soon
@Sheila_33: ty
Freaking out because mine are still na bottom two there but blank I’m gonna go back to bed this is my first day off in two months. Hoping and praying for good news
I can’t log in to see mine, keep getting a technical error.