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.
@Azluckyfish: Hopefully on the 16th or 17th. I read the IRS will start test batches on 17 though 22nd of January.
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@Akt: I saw it means: The * symbol next to the return transcript year 2023 will indicate the availability of a Verification of Non-filing Letter. Must mean it is there but waiting to be processed. Probably meaning if processed of course the star goes away. I have the same thing.
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Hey guys! Hope all is well! Just curious what online preparation everyone uses. Ive always used tt but they have seriously skyrocketed the price just since last year. I was thinking about H&R. Especially because they quoted me an extra 2k for some reason 🤔 happy filing woo
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@Somebody stole my Identity:
YES GO TO THE IRS WEBSITE SO THEY CAN ASSIGN U AN IDENTITY
PIN
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Has anyone been accepted after efile in test batch yet
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@DrBlute: yeah I just checked my to and I also have a star. Anyone know what this means?
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Good morning good afternoon and good evening all!!! Another year of the shenanigans I hope all is well with everybody
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@DrBlute: thank you
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Good morning ☀️ from the sunshine state… ok guys and girls start your engines another tax season is here!!!! May the odds forever be in your favor
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@beebee 43: I live in MA and I have to wait until the 19th to file state it’s because the forms aren’t ready yet it should give you a date when they will be
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@Looking for answers.: He would have to amend his return as well, removing them and paying what would then be owed for the loss of what he did get AND you amend to add them.
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@Ghee: Some people are going to have refunds in January.
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@ConfusedInOhio: Mid February.
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Greetings everyone. I have 2 questions. Is there a 3 max limit on claiming dependents for eic? Does additional child tax credit apply for more than 3 this year.
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Hi everyone quick question. Why turbo tax want let me file my sc state taxes. It says file later or mail. I’m confused. Can anyone help me with this. Thank you
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Hello everyone
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Hello, everyone! Checking in for another tax season.
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@BG: Have you received any correspondence from them at all? Could be an identity issue or possibly a return that’s unpostable.
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@Looking for answers?: yes as long as he didn’t receive any credit for them.
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@Sheila_33: thank you I will amend my return and add the additional 3 children.
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haven’t received refund since it was accepted 10 months ago. Anyone having this problem?
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@Somebody stole my Identity: u will need to file identify theft and they will issue a pin every year I believe
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Happy Taxmas everybody!! Learned my lessons from the last few years and waiting on ALL my W2’s before I file. :)
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Hi I was on unemployment last year and I didn’t file my taxes( because I knew I would owe and didn’t have the money to pay) I was going file it this year how ever someone stole my identity and tried to file taxes last year in my name!.. what do I need to do now to clear this up so I can file my taxes this year??
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Anyway me know what the earliest pathers could see a deposit this year
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@Sheila_33: When are we expecting test batches?
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