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.
Only thing that has updated so far is my as-of date from 03/13 to 03/27.
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Filed 2/20/22 no tax credits except for what I paid in. My WMR went from one bar and is processing to no bars and still processing. The other day the messaging changed back to processing without the still. Now my top transcripts just started filling in this morning after 3am hoping they will be all the way filled in later today. Either way it’s movement. I’m weekly and have been weekly forever it seems like.
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@NVDIV: it’s out of control for us. I told myself I won’t file in January again but I waited until they started accepting returns. Then I see others who filed in February get the same 570 anyhow. I think there are just massive issues this year for some dumb reason and we all get to suffer for it.
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@TPerry: They update starting at 3AM EST
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What time do transcripts normally update?
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@Sheila_33: makes sense, thank you for responding. Fingers crossed for tomorrows update
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Hope to get some updates tonight. I was accepted on 3/2 and have had N/A on my top two transcripts since then.
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@Shanshan: thanks I’m going to try and remember to call tomorrow before I go to work. It keep slipping my mind.
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What does it mean when it says under code of explanation of transaction
“No tax return filed”
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I don’t what to do
So I called the hardship number, the lady was super nice to me
She was able to tell me why I was received the 4464c letter.
That my federal withholding didn’t match my w-2s
Now I’ve read It needs to be processed before amending…..
Or the IRS well fix it without the amend…..
Thing is my transcripts WMR doesn’t show anything. I would like to get it correct because I know what it is they need….
My question to you guys , would you amend ? Or wait ?
Also going through the amend process with TT they say I owe but how ? I never got a refund and the chat help is saying If it’s gray I owe. I can’t even see my transcripts. SMH this is a mess. I just want to fix this
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@ConfusedMainer: Did you have any 570 code or any codes on your transcripts? Also did you receive any letters
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“Your return has been changed; no refund will be mailed to you. You should receive an explanation of these changes within the next 3 weeks. If you do not receive an explanation within that time, you may call our taxpayer assistance line at (207) 624-9784.”
No idea. I went through a tax professional and should be receiving a nice refund, so I’m kinda concerned but not sure if I should be? I will follow up with the general issue here once I find out because I see it a number of times without any real follow ups.
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@One annoyed chica.: don’t believe a thing they tell you that is a generic message they tell everyone my sister got the freeze code and she already received her taxes they are telling people anything I have the freeze code as well with a date of 03/09/2023 my husband has that same date and code don’t believe them my cousin has the same dat and code and two of my close friends .. Lmaoo it’s crazy
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Today makes 33 days since I exiled our tax return. We had absolutely no movement past “accepted” until 3/3/23. Then we got the tax topic 152 and our refund amount on wmr/IRS2Go. On 2/28/23 our as of dates were 3/7/23. On 3/7/23 our transcripts began to fill, until then we had N/A our as of dates changed to 3/20/23, processing date 3/20/23, 570 3/20/23, 971 3/27/23. My SSA updated with income info last week, our tax transcript still has no income info.
We have 20230905 as a cycle code…. I stalk our transcripts and watch wmr daily… When calling the IRS I am told to be patient, TA said that there was nothing to do at this time, wait and if no update this week wait for the letter dated 3/27/23 and do what it says, it may say to do nothing and if so do nothing. I filed 2/13 and was told my time starts from 3/2 when we hit the master file.. not from my filing date. So according to the rep I spoke with our 21 day marker is 3/23! HOW? I asked. How is it that we filed 2/13 but you are telling me the date our 21 days starts from is the master file date… I never knew this? I have been filing taxes every February for 25 years now… My frustration is starting to get the best of me.
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@Nikki O: It means the system has stopped trying to resolve and now someone manually has to get it back into processing.
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It can be a positive if the w2s are showing on the SSA site since if the IRS is reviewing income from your return, they can reconcile with what the employer has sent directly to SSA.
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@NVDIV: wow!woe!! It’s just a freaking game
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Since I got my letter and said just to wait will I update tomorrow at all
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@CarolinaWoman88: You probably have to call I did mine online to in then when I called it was on hold cause it didn’t get transferred to them even tho the page said complete.
Now I’m waiting on a check.
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@MOE: I saw your update. This waiting game is a mess.
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@Meme: mine has been reported into my SSA at least a month now.. and nothing
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Where is my INTEREST on delayed refund
Filed tax year 2021 on Feb 2 22, Accepted Feb 25. Refund issued Oct 26 2022.
Per IRS I should be paid interest after July 15
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I filed 2/2/23 and haven’t gotten anything yet and WMR says it’s been delayed. Does anyone know why this is happening or when the latest date I can get it?
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Anyone know what it means to be resequenced and how long that takes ?
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Has anyone checked their wage reporting on ssa website? How long before you get your tax refund after they have reported your wages to ssa? Still showing 570 $0 date 03/20/23. Im so lost, don’t even know what to expect anymore. No update last night or this morning for me….again.
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To all the 570 guys ive been speaking with here. I called again today and they gave me that 120 day spill again..
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Is SSA TAXABLE ?
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What would it mean if my As Of date has not changed. It’s been stuck on 3/6. I got the codes 570/971 on dates 2/20 and 2/27. CP05 letter received on 3/6. I’ve been seeing others As Of dates move up and down, so would that mean my tax return is just sitting off to the side somewhere? I’m definitely hoping to see ANY form of change at this point tomorrow (SIGH)
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971 letter date said 3/13 got the letter on 3/15 made sure it got to me couple of days after they are on it cp 05 code said not to do anything just wait.
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@MOE: Got letter cp 05 code just said don’t do anything. Just wait.
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Just an update to those dealing with the IDV stuff.
My WMR just updated to,” We have received your tax return and it is being processed.”
I verified online 3/1 (unsuccessful despite confirmation messaging online) and again on 3/8 with representative over the phone. I was placed back into processing on 3/8. I am weekly, so hopeful there is some movement on my transcript tomorrow.
I sorta can see the light? Right ? This season has been wild.
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I Got my taxes done at H and R block My deposits were to be put on my Emerald card I went onto the irs website It said that I was to get my tax refund on the 15th of March I called the number on my Emerald card because there was no refund on there it said that my deposit was to be done on the 15th it said the refund would be on my Emerald card on the 15th on the Emerald card customer service . The 15th cayman the lady at H and R block told me that the 15th was the date that the IRS was putting the money in their account and it would take a few days to get onto my card . But I got a different answer from customer service when I called tdumb. Am I going to get my money?
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@So Stressed: I hope.. GOD please let So Stressed get that DDD this week..
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I just tried to check wmr site to see if there’s progress and got this, “We are sorry Where’s My Refund is
currently unavailable. Please try
Where’s My Refund again later.” Anyone else seeing this? Are they updating?
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If refund was issued 3/14 when should I expect my DD to hit my bank??
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@TPerry: There is a storm here can’t check my mail yet
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@MOE: I hope it is good news for you and not something crazy. Tax time is so stressful for no apparent reason whatsoever. They’ve had 3 years to deal with COVID, and a lifetime to get their system together.
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@MotherofWolves: **DID NOT HAPPEN ON TIME** CORRECTION
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Accepted on 1/23. Refund did happen on time. Called after 21 days. Was finally told that it was in Error Resolution, but no reason indicated. This is from calling the main line. After dealing with this for a few rounds I called the number to make an appointment. Here the man helped me and said that the transmission must of glitched when my return was transmitted and it was reading like multiple returns stuck together. Someone would have to manually go in and update it. THen they send it back into the cue.
Days later I see a Topic 152 pop up on Where’s My Refund. Was not there before (is not there now). I called to check the status and was told that it was out of error resolution and waiting for processing and it could take 110 days. SERIOUSLY! I called the other appointment number again and they said it can take up to 9 weeks from the time it was sent back into the server.
I cannot understand why these error returns are not getting pushed through with priority when they are put back in. Meanwhile a recently filed return would have been filed and accepted and paid.
Has this situation ever happened to anyone before?
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@Cendi: I still have 2/20 as of date, WRM still says, “still being processed. Refund date will be provided when available.” I also got a confirmation message on 3/1 when I verified online.
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