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.
Jst over it! Not sure I’ll receive a damn thing this yr. I’m out of work, having car trouble, and need to pay for my kids school activities. Pretty sure I won’t receive anything before my kids are gone for the summer..LOST ALL HOPE🤷♂️..Oh, and turbo tax is taking the payment out of my account. So here comes the overdraft fees. Thanks again IRS!!!
Report comment
anyone else get a notice from turbo tax that they are tired of waiting for your refund and want to get paid?
Report comment
@playingthewaitingame: can take up to nine weeks my husband verified today a very nice irs rep told him 9 weeks
Report comment
@TisTheSeasonOfTorture: are letting the tax payers work their own cases as I did or they are just waiting until the cases close themselves with a 4549 form or whatever else is needed. Oh I also didn’t file my 2023 until 4/17 because I was told if I file while my taxes are in review I would have to wait anyways.. hope this helps.
Report comment
@TisTheSeasonOfTorture: I have, (2022) I applied for a advocate in the summer of 2023 July 18th to be exact for the 2022 return. I never got a response until December 4th I randomly get a call back while at work at the time I was grateful to even had answered it since I did not know the number. My advocate introduced themselves and said that he would be working my case. We went over all of the documentation I had already sent in per the information the IRS had requested me to send in. (Which I never got until the middle of July.)
Report comment
@shelleybeanss: I’m in the exact same situation smh…🤦🏻♀️
Report comment
@Gators352: I’m so sorry for your loss. 😔
Report comment
I contacted my congressman office and I had to send a signed copy of my tax return!!! They been responding pretty quick through email so hopefully I’ll hear something before the irs! It’s cray that 1-2 cycles would update your account now it’s 4 plus!!! F/A 1/29/24
Report comment
@Jimmie: Look at the top of the transcript and look at account balance. Does it say 0.00 or there’s a dollar amount? I had similar codes. The penalty and interest codes triggered from an error in my return. Mines were a math error. My dependent ssn was entered incorrectly. I called that following Monday, the rep corrected the ssn and the following Friday, the transcript updated and both, penalty and interest codes were reversed and 846 was added
Report comment
@shelleybeanss: Thanks thats what others have told me this all sucks have a good night
Report comment
@Red Dawn: I hope things go good for you tonight 💵🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🤞🏽🤞🏽🤞🏽🤞🏽I’ll check back in the morning!!!!
Report comment
Does anyone have experience with TA and their supervisor that you’d care to share? I faxed documents to support hardship this morning right to the TA supervisor but I haven’t heard anything. I’ve called and can never speak to them directly. Guess I’m looking for a glimmer of hope and hoping that maybe their working behind the scenes.
Report comment
@Sheila_33: I’m doing fairly okay my mother passed last month she was 87 but I’m still going through the process stages but I have to keep going thanks for asking how is everyone?
Report comment
@Sheila_33: Thank you
Report comment
How long does it take for gambling winnings to go on SSA? That’s the only thing holding mine up.
Report comment
Hi happy Thursday everyone! I there will be movement for you all.
I filed late (late for me), we usually file in January/February, but this year we did it like 2 weeks ago. So we’re hoping there won’t be a delay for us 🤞🤞🤞
Report comment
@Harry a: that’s pretty common. Since starting to watch my transcripts a few years ago, I’ve noticed the wages usually don’t fill in until summer/autumn. I think it has something to do with what/when income is reported to SSA.
Report comment
Since my 60 days has passed from the 4464c letter I received mid February, I caved and called today. Rep was very friendly, but she did say the letters should state 120 days, not 60 as mine did. She said my return was still in review but she had no other info to offer than that. I feel like I was kind of stuck in limbo so I’m hoping having a rep look at the account and make notes on it, will maybe promote some sort of movement in the system. But going by the new 120, they gave until mid June to resolve the issue
Report comment
@Harry a: Sometimes the wage transcripts don’t fill in until summer or autumn. Sheila probably knows why. I checked, mine have not filled in either but my return was finished back in February.
Report comment
Can anyone help, I’e got codes in this sequence
150 Tax return filed Cycle 20241505 Date 04/29/2024
810 Refund freeze Date03/28/2024
811 Remove refund freeze Date 03/28/2024
276 Penalty for late payment of tax Date 04/29/2024
196 Interest for late payment Date 04/29/2024
971 Notice issued Date 04/29/2024
Return due date or retun received date(whichever is higher) Apr 15 2024
Processing Apr 29 2024
Can anyone interpret this for me and when i could possible get my refund
Report comment
So I finally got through to the advocate help line. I was given information for my advocates supervisor and was told to fax them proof of hardship to expedite the process. I was also informed that my advocate isn’t scheduled to contact me until June 7th. Now what kind of pointless ass shit is that?!? 120 days is at the end of June! I really want to feel hopeful but until MY money is deposited I won’t believe anything they say.
Report comment
Hello day 85 no changes why on transcript under wages says no return filed?
Report comment
@Gators352: And congratulations!
Report comment
@Gators352: Good morning Gator! How be you this beautiful morning?
Report comment