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.
As of date changed to 2/20. Still not filled out. Starting to think there’s a problem with my transcripts
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@Sheila_33: could it be that our return is taking longer as it’s 27 pages? Since we have one w2, 2 small business, and 1098t plus child care
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Good morning ☀️ good Wednesday morning to all claiming a bless and wonderful day let see some updates
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@Sheila_33: we have a new address this year but I’ll double check socials and agi right now.
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@Sheila_33: still 1 bar on WMR, no change with that…only change on transcripts is the As Of date to 2/20. Transcripts still blank since Thursday 1/26
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@KdinAZz: Have you checked socials, addresses, agi from last year to make sure all is correct? If all is good, then it’s just the IRS taking their time to accept. Hopefully today.
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@Walter DOG: I was accepted the 24th filed on the 23rd
I’ve been watching my transcripts it’s not asking for anything, shoot it still says Return not processed .. transcripts blank but I’ve been a weekly these past years..
Used TT to file. Had one light now it’s blank with just the message
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@Newman: What’s your messaging showing as of now?
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@Sheila_33: thank you. As of 651am az time it still just says submitted on freeraxusa and wmr can’t find my info
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@804VA: no id verify right now but it can take a week to show up on id verify just keep checking in another week if it’s saying that then your probably good
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@KDinAZz lol: I was accepted within an hour or so after filing on 1/24 via TT. It wasn’t immediately, but still. Hope that helps.
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@Amy19: my taxes are still not accepted.
For anyone who was accepted immediately what site did you use
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ugh. My As of date on my transcript just this morning moved from 2/13 to 2/20…..Filed/accepted 1/23 with TT. Transcript first showed up last Thursday with all 0’s. Still all 0’s
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@Walter DOG ok so it says we ARE NOT ABLE TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE
then it says the 21 day message
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@804VA: google irs.gov/id verify and you use id me to sign in and if you have id verify it will prompt you to enter code if not id verify it will say we’re unable to provide you any assistance
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@Walter DOG
Is ID VERIFY THE SAME AS iDMe
I have, idME That’s how sign in…
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@Amy19: I would love to see you have a smooth year. Fingers crossed. You do the same, hun.
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@Sheila_33: nothing yet, thanks for checking in! I thought I cracked my every other year code, but I didn’t! I thought for sure I would be a 02 this year but no date yet, maybe I will be a three today! In order I have had 05,04,05,03,05…..so I thought I would see a 02 this morning but I am still NA.
Enjoy your day!
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@Sheila_33: I won’t I know it’s hard to figure never had this happen my wmr update before Saturday morning unless it was id verify but it’s not that
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@Walter DOG: A review of wages would show a 570. With your return, I really think you’re in the same situation user Mike was. At least, that’s what I’m hoping. :) Don’t come for me if I’m wrong, I’ll hide in the back room. lol
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