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.
We didn’t get EIC this year but we did get ACTC. Guess we’re walking the PATH…… The waiting game begins. Good luck everyone!
All Transcripts updated today. Cycle 20230505. No eic this yr but did have the child tax credit. I have the 846 code with the date of 2/8/23 next to it.
@Taxtime69: did you ever get your refund from the year you went under review? And what did they review you for?
filed 1/26 accepted 1/26 playing the waiting game now. Has anyone received their Delaware refund as of yet?
@Taxtime69: Thanks. Obviously it could mean anyone of those but I’m so happy to know that it could possibly process as normal with it. Thanks for your reply.
@Calisunshine: last year I had still being processed for 2 days than went to approved another year still being processed .want under review
Hello all. I think they did a test batch today. I filed on Wednesday with dependent and my refund hit today. Never happened before.
Never looked at a transcript until now and shows a 2/20 what does that mean?
My refund is pending in the bank but says release date is 2/8. Never seen it put in and show up.Filed on 1/23
@Chris: my date updated but nothing else ☹️☹️☹️☹️
Well I’ll just say people who filed after me have updated so I am assuming I will not till next week. 👍
@lilred44 (15th): path credits so no ma’am
@Calisunshine: My as of date was 2/13 and went to 2/20 after my transcripts updated.
@lilred44 (15th): I have as of date of 2/20 and mine updated this morning.
Hello everyone!!! I am glad transcripts updated for alot of folks today!!! Hopefully everyone that is still waiting will update soon!!!
I have a feeling that those of us with the as of date 2/20 won’t process till next week.
@Momof1: Nice to see you back!
@Walter DOG: thank you
@Nygirl1114: google irs id verify/gov and you will see identification of tax return login same as your irs account and if it’s id verify it will prompt you to enter code if you don’t need to verify it will say unable to provide assistance
Hey there everyone. Can any of y’all remind me of the days of the week when processing occurs as far as them actually pulling and working on returns? I know last year I received my return on a Thursday February 24th and filed on February 3rd. Not sure if I am weekly but I think so. Trying to figure what days they actually do processing itself not ddds.
@Walter DOG: Yes. Same message. My as of date was 2/20 and switched back to 2/13 once my codes updated on the transcripts.
@Amy19: Thanks for answering my question. Yes I am a pather. I was more so concerned with the still being processed on WMR. I typically have a a very smooth time when I filed so seeing the message on WMR kind of alarmed 🤔