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 began accepting tax returns this year on January 29, 2024.
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.
@Red Dawn: I hope that this is happening for you🙏🏼
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@meow: This is more than wrong! Please, call your local Legal Aid office to get help with a pro Bono Attorney. Sometimes a ltr from Atty does miracles.
Good luck 🙏🏼 Let us know!
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@Eddleman23:
Above on IGMR is TAS info.
I faxed form911, then called.
I tried in March and April.
Both times they’d not accept my request “call back after 6/28”- meaning IN JULY.
If you try, I hope you have better luck 🙏🏼
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@F/A January!: not as of yet
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So since 2 amended returns were filed, does that mean I reset myself? 🥹
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How do I get ahold of an advocate ?
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Long story short, the date of contact that I was given yesterday of June 7th is when the advocate expects to have everything done. 🤞 I’m just ready to be done.
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After not updating again over night I called the advocate line back. The lady wouldn’t transfer me to intake but did explain to me that because my congressional representative is involved I will not hear directly from the advocate. I will have to wait for my congressional office to play middle man. Had I known that I’m not sure that I would have taken it to them. Also, she explained that the advocate has 4 weeks to make contact, in this case it will be with the congressional office.
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@LostNthesauce: Did they call you back?
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