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.
Well just checked again after my last post and now account transcript date changed to 02/20/2023 from 02/13/2023. Return transcript is still N/A anyone know what this means?
@Ryan W: No other codes? If not, the 766 may be the additional child tax credit that is held under the path freeze. You might want to check this link and see if its a credit on the return that is path related:
https://igotmyrefund.com/why-do-i-have-the-path-message-on-irs-wheres-my-refund/
Where do I find the codes everyone is talking about. I have no codes as far as I can tell. Are they on the transcripts or the wmr site? Thx
Mine finally filled in. I have codes 150, 806, 766 and 768. As of 2/20/23. Does this mean I’m done?
@KYMama22: I’ve got the same thing going on. I’ve got all the good codes, no bad ones, not a PATHER, but no 846 yet. I’m dying here lol.
@Angela: Did it update on WMR? or transcript?
@Sheila_33: should I be concerned I don’t see 846 yet? Also do those codes mean I am done processing? WMR app never gave me the PATH message lol
Update my account transcript has populated all good codes. I’ll update to path on the WMR in the morning.
If anyone was wondering my transcripts updated this morning with everything but 846.
My as of date is 2/20
WMR: 1 bar, no amount, still proc, TT 152
Filed: 1/23
@Sheila_33: same. This happened to me last year as well. Accepted early during test batches but moved slow and didn’t get refund until 03/02
@Sheila_33: not at all!! lmfao
Okay they are finally populating!!!! 🎉
My account transcript now shows codes 150, 806, and 766, but no 846! Did I just refresh too soon and catch them in the act? Or is it now hung up just on those codes?
@littles26: Congrats! Yea, they don’t get in a hurry, do they? lol
So if your transcripts have all good codes and you get the path message, does that mean that you are processed for the most part?
Transcripts filled in except wages. Still blank.
All 2022’s populated for transcripts.
“As Of” Date on Account Transcript is “02/20/2023”, however, it states “846” with a Refund Issue date of “02/08/2023” – Wednesday. I guess it looks like I’m done for now. WMR won’t update until tomorrow. Will chk later just to be sure. :-)
@KYMama22: 150 is return received, 766 is a tax credit, and the 768 is your earned income tax credit. Good codes and now you wait for the path freeze to lift.
@Azluckyfish: same here
Just checked transcripts everything is filed out got my 846 for the 8th! ig they was just working on us all!!!!!!
Yay my transcripts updated I have code 150,766,768 is that good does that mean just waiting for 846
@Krista: Mine is partially updated. Has SOME of the info, but no DDD yet. So strange. I’ve got an “account credit” of the refund but no DDD.
@Amy19: Maybe they’re moving in order, who knows with the IRS, lol. We had a large batch of resequenced returns that needed to process. Happy to see them moving, but I sure would like to see some more. :)