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.
@Amy19: earlier did your transcripts all update at once or did you see your account transcript with 2022 at first then the others updated later
@804VA: did you change your tax preparer, phone number, bank info, etc. It’s usually something like that which will trigger an ID verify as well. I’ve heard of some people just being randomly chosen for it too. I had to do it a few years ago, and it’s a fairly quick process. I verified online and had my refund a few weeks later.
I wonder if the PATH lifts on the 11th. I keep seeing the dates for after the 11th.
@Walterdog: I just checked it, one bar, is being processed. No change, it has been like that since Sunday morning.
My as of date went from 2/13 to 2/20. Now it’s back to 2/13. If anyone can explain this, it would be greatly appreciated.
@KYMama22: yes, as long as there is a minus sign before each amount…that means it’s a credit 😊
@Walterdog: the your return is being processed. One bar. Tax topic 152. Normal stuff
@LLMom: what does wmr say for you
@Amy19: what’s your wmr say right now , do you still have received and being processed or still processing or refund date when available what’s it say
@GabbySC: Hi there. I filed and was accepted 1/28/23, WMR showed one bar the next day. Still one bar as of earlier today. My transcripts were NA until sometime between 8am and 3 pm today, they filled out, now waiting for the PATH to lift and get the 846. I hope this info helps and you get your 846 soon.
Can anyone help me with this. The – next to my codes 766 and 768, is that the amount I am getting?
As of date is a reminder to the system your account either needs to be finished or more info added. It can push out to a later date if needed. It tries to get it done by the as of date. It is a place holder. If you scroll down, Sheila_33 gives a better answer.
@Amy19: Hu Amy I was looking back through comments to see your current year tax journey to see if it’s anything like mine. F/A 19th went to still processing that weekend no tax topic 152. I think it’s verify but I’m waiting g for ID Me to process a reset of account so I can’t see my transcripts.
@Mamatrilogy3: Do you EIC or ACTC? If so, you won’t get the 846 until PATH lifts.
@Bubba: All good codes, just need the 846 with your deposit date once PATH lifts.