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.
@jemar707: and you don’t think that’s a huge responsibility with all of us crazy people in here??? Lol
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@Stillwaitinginfairburnga : With your cycle date ending in 05, you likely only have weekly updates to your account. For weeklies, this happens on Fridays. So this would be your time to shine any time now.
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I just want to see movement on my transcripts, even if it’s only a big ol 971 code showing a notice has been sent! Because then at least I would know that I’m for sure getting a letter
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@jemar707: I have a question I filed and was accepted on 02/03 and was accepted same day my cycle code is 0605 do you think I will update tonight on transcripts
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@Jocelynn: I just make sure the ship sails in the right direction. Hoping there are some positive updates for people coming in here soon.
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@jemar707: and that is sooo NOT true!!! You’re good for a lot of things.
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@Jocelynn: I am here. Not good for much… but I am here. lol
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@Sheila_33: oh okay thank you! I figured but wasn’t 100% sure:)
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Everyone must be napping before the countdown begins.. lol
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@jemar707: sorry about the typo it was supposed to say believe me I know
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@jemar707: no worries I completely understand I won’t believe me I know how crooked the internet is thank you 🙂
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@ Deano: I wasn’t referring you lol… just giving you all acknowledgment for sharing good phone numbers lol… I am always afraid someone will share a bad phone number.
thank you for keeping the info good :)
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@jemar707: if you’re referring to me yes the number was correct I put it on here a day ago trying to help somebody once again and thank you and the number came from your site LOL
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@Czarface: yes it should update tonight at 3am
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Hey all!🤘Has anyone seen transcripts update before 3am? I’m just wondering if it would be worth staying up to check. 😂🤣
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@ManGo11: I’m barely over the boarder into VT! I wait a solid 3/4 months every year!!! Sometimes much more to be gracious. All of a sudden, 2023 I got this letter from VT, it was September I do remember.. I was worried about only parking debt hahahaha…… I’d forgotten so much about my state refund after 4 months? Dropped from my expectation.. but instead? a check! 8 months later! I would start renting in NY if I wasn’t worried about working, but living in different state with taxes and renter credits. So happy for you New Yorkers to get your state refund in a reasonable time! VT needs to get on board CLEARLY ughhhhh
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Hello- I filed on 1/22 and was accepted 1/23. My transcripts have been showing for the last two Fridays but they are not filled in and say return has not been received. It also says that on the main page when I log in. I am a weekly.
I am wondering if anybody knows if I have transcript (not filled in) – does that only mean that the IRS accepted my return?
Meaning, does a transcript immediately partially populate on the online portal when the IRS accepts your return?
OR- does the partial transcript mean there is progress being made on my return?
Thank you for your help.
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No update for me “ still says no return on file” guess I am going to be waiting for quite a awhile.
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@blue: mine says that now and 5 mins before that it said it was still processing. This morning I was being processed. How this is good news
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@Juicyroot25: 🍻🥂
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👁️👄👁️…just waiting. Only 9:36 on my side of the world
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🥂 🍻🧃☕️🥤🥃 cheers to a good night of updates.
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If unemployment say I have a over payment and that I have to pay it back but the offer line say that I don’t have any offsets will they still take my state or federal refund
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@ Golly3112: i say bad words. but they have permission to mod me. lmao. shit.
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As of Thursday some point my account transcripts are all zeros but as of date of 2/26/24. I will be on the path too.
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@Lolojuju9: You right! Heck I might even sneak a peak too before 6 am! 🤣
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WMR now says,
We apologize, but your return processing has been delayed beyond the normal timeframe. You can continue to check back here for the most up to date information regarding your refund. We understand your tax refund is very important and we are working to process your return as quickly as possible.
Tax Topic 152
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