Where’s My Refund? – Tax Updates & Resources for Taxpayers
IRS Where’s My Refund? Tax News and Information! Here you’ll find the best tax tips, helpful tax information, and incredibly useful tools!
Where’s My Refund? Tax Refund Updates
When can I file my tax return?
The first day the IRS officially starts approving your 2022 tax return is January 23, 2023. However, many tax software programs will allow you to complete your return and “file” it starting January 3, 2023. They will then hold the returns until the IRS begins accepting them.
When are taxes due?
The deadline to submit your 2022 tax return and pay your tax bill is Tuesday, April 18, 2023. If you can’t meet the tax filing deadline, you can file for an extension. But the sooner you file, the sooner you can receive your tax refund.
How long does it take to process a tax return?
Most federal tax returns are processed within 21 days, but some take longer. The easiest way to get a refund is to submit your return electronically and use direct deposit. However, if you submitted it on paper and are planning a refund, it may take 6 months or longer to process your return.
How long does it take to receive my tax refund?
Once the IRS receives your tax refund, many different factors can affect the timing of your tax refund. Although the IRS issues most refunds in less than 21 days, the IRS reminds taxpayers not to expect to receive their refunds by a certain date, especially if they need to make purchases or pay bills. Some tax returns may require additional review and may take longer to process if the IRS system detects potential errors, missing information or forms, or if they suspect tax fraud or identity theft.
Some tax returns could take longer to process than others for many reasons, including when a return:
- Is filed on paper
- Includes errors, such as incorrect Recovery Rebate Credit
- Is incomplete
- Needs further review in general
- Is affected by identity theft or fraud
- Includes a claim filed for an Earned Income Tax Credit or an Additional Child Tax Credit.
- Includes a Form 8379, Injured Spouse Allocation, which could take up to 14 weeks to process
Are there any expected tax refund delays?
Yes. The IRS is required to hold tax refunds for taxpayers who claim Earned Income Tax Credits and Additional Child Tax credits until at least Feb. 15, 2023. Please keep in mind it can still take a week to receive a refund after the IRS releases it. So some people who file early may experience delays while awaiting their refund. Refunds should be processed normally after this date. Also note that new identity theft protection and anti-fraud measures may hold up some refunds, as some tax returns may be held for further review.

2023 IRS E-File Schedule for Direct Deposit and Check Refund Dates
In previous years, the IRS would publish a refund cycle chart showing when a particular tax return would be deposited into a taxpayer’s bank account if they elected Direct Deposit of their refund. This was true if the return was electronically filed and a refund was due to the taxpayer. However, as a result of numerous fraud issues that have plagued the IRS community over the recent past, they have discontinued the use of this “Refund Cycle” chart, and Publication 2043 has been revised.
Check out our 2023 Tax Refund Schedule for an Estimated Direct Deposit Date Here!
Publication 2043 “IRS E-file Refund Cycle Chart” has been renamed “IRS Refund Information Guidelines for the Tax Preparation Community.” The new Publication 2043 is no longer a chart showing the refund cycle time frames. Instead, it provides guidance for taxpayers to check on their refunds. Taxpayers can also go on the IRS website and search “Where’s My Refund” to find information.

*RETURNS THAT CLAIM EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT OR ADDITIONAL CHILD TAX CREDIT MUST BE HELD UNTIL FEB. 15, AND IRS ANTICIPATES REFUNDS WON’T BE DIRECT-DEPOSITED UNTIL THE FIRST WEEK OF MARCH.
Please note that the IRS is very clear that you shouldn’t plan your finances in anticipation of having your refund hit your bank account on any specific date. No tax schedule that you’ll see from any source can claim a guarantee of a date on which you’ll get your refund. Estimates like the ones above can be useful for your planning, but make sure you leave yourself some wiggle room in case your luck this tax season turns out to be bad.
2023 Tax Filing Season Important Dates & Deadlines
The table below shows the 2023 deadlines for filing 2022 tax returns and requesting extensions. An important point to note is that while you can file your taxes anytime after the beginning of the year, the IRS will not process any returns (paper or electronic) until IRS e-File goes live.
2023 Tax Important Dates & Deadlines | Tax Related Activity |
---|---|
January 3, 2023 | The first day to file a 2022 tax return, though the IRS generally will not accept e-file and free file returns until the date below. Even paper-based filings won’t be processed until later in the month |
January 13, 2023 | IRS Free File Goes Live, Taxpayers can begin filing returns through IRS Free File partners; tax returns will be transmitted to the IRS starting January xx. Tax software companies also are accepting tax filings in advance. |
January 23, 2023 | IRS E-file Goes Live, allowing submission of electronic tax returns for the vast majority of tax filers. Paper tax returns will begin processing from this date as well |
January 31, 2023 | Date by which you should have received a W-2, 1099-B, 1099-S, and 1099-MISC form from employers you worked for during the tax year. If not, contact their HR/Payroll department to resend tax documents |
February 15, 2023 | By law, the IRS cannot issue tax refunds that include Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC) before February 15 |
February 16, 2023 | PATH ACT Message will lift for EITC and ACTC-related tax refunds. |
February 18, 2023 | The first day Where's My Refund? on IRS.gov and the IRS2Go mobile app will be updated for the vast majority of early filers who claimed the Earned Income Tax Credit or the Additional Child Tax Credit. Before Feb. 15, some taxpayers may see a projected date or a message that the IRS is processing their return. Taxpayers will not see a refund date on Where's My Refund? or through their software packages until then. |
March 1, 2023 | The IRS expects the earliest EITC/ACTC related refunds to actually be available in taxpayer bank accounts or on debit cards starting the first week of March if there are no processing issues with the tax return and the taxpayer chose a direct deposit. |
April 15, 2023 | Deadline for filing state income tax returns (for most states) and extension requests |
April 18, 2023 | Tax Day* Last day for filing federal income tax returns and extension requests. |
October 16, 2023 | Deadline to file your extended 2022 federal and state income returns. Note: you still need to file an extension request by April 15th |
April 15, 2026 | Filing a 2022 tax amendment. You can file an amended or previous year's return anytime, but you have a deadline of 3 years from the original due date to claim any tax refund. |
IRS Opening Day
Year | Weekday | Date |
---|---|---|
2023 | Monday | Jan 23 |
2022 | Monday | Jan 24 |
2021 | Friday | Feb 12 |
2020 | Monday | Jan 27 |
2019 | Monday | Jan 28 |
2018 | Monday | Jan 29 |
2017 | Monday | Jan 23 |
2016 | Tuesday | Jan 19 |
2015 | Tuesday | Jan 20 |
2014 | Friday | Jan 31 |
2013 | Wednesday | Jan 30 |
Future Tax Day Observances
Year | Weekday | Date |
---|---|---|
2023 | Tuesday | April 18 |
2024 | Monday | April 15 |
2025 | Tuesday | April 15 |
2026 | Wednesday | April 15 |
2027 | Thursday | April 15 |
2028 | Tuesday | April 18 |
2029 | Tuesday | April 17 |
2030 | Monday | April 18 |
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