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.
@Cecirox: Weeklies are processing today and transcripts may update late tonight into tomorrow.
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@Ebryant22: It will most likely reject one of them.
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I have an important question. I filed my federal return thru HRB and was accepted in the test batch 1/23 but HRB wouldnt let me file state yet so i used another software to file state, i didnt know it was going to submit another federal return along with the state return i was filing. So now I have 2 federal returns submitted will they just reject the 2nd one that I didn’t realize it submitted??? Please help
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Good morning. I am a weekly but I have no updates on my transcript. I have the message “no tax return filed”. I was already accepted in the test batch dates. Any idea what that message means or why I didnt update? Thank you
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@Jenny: yes ma’am
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I forgot. Which one to we click to see updates. My account transcript is up with an as of date of Feb 12. Is that the right one?
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@Monee: I believe you’re the one I’ve been watching for lol. Did you have a partial transcript update last year or am I thinking of a Monica?
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I hope all weeklies have a restful day bc tonight is going to be a long one. Lol. It’s finally Thursday!
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@Meme56: if you are a weekly and non PATH we should see a date on WMR this weekend for next week
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@DebMom: I dunno Gordon Gekko took over apparently. What’s next, payday loans TT? Gonna set one up in every poor community, gouge em, and shovel that to the top too? Lol, what’s hilarious, is that after they’re laughing all the way to the bank, they’ll bitch about their taxes 😄
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@Ollie: I know that for the first year in a long time I had to upgrade to paid just because I had a 1099, two W2, and a 1095a.
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Warning: In another disingenuous, and sleazy move, the new update for the Turbo Tax app is trying to trick people out of the free version. Your first look, you won’t see anymore the free option. You have to click on OTHER PRODUCTS to get it. Once again trying trying to be deceptive. Really knocking it outta the park this year, one dumb move after another. Probably why the IRS denied bringing them in on the software. What sleazebags. This is boycott level stupid.
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Im accepted. My transcript says N/A though and I am walking down that long path. I wish they would get rid of this rule honestly but accepted is still good !
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@RayC: these are dates by acceptance including test batches. The actual deposit date. It could be earlier if you use a NHB.
https://igotmyrefund.com/irs-e-file-refund-cycle-chart/
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