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 will begin accepting tax returns in 2025 on January 27th.
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.
@jas I received the same letter, I filed on 2/10 and accepted same day, same letter received on 2/24. I waited and called next day and spoke to rep who also told me “you don’t have to do anything, your return has already been processed, it’s just waiting to be released”. Then I started seeing the code 570 on transcript with $0.00 dated 3/20/23.
It’s strange though that my return was accepted on 2/10 same day but the rep said their acceptance date actually was 2/28.
So i only got one letter in the mail that was a 4464C letter that told me give them 60 days and not to do anything on my end i got that letter on March 8th i havent gotten anything else. And last time i called they told me they didnt need me to do anything else i mean does that mean if there was a “issue” the probably didnt need anyting further from me?
@Me: it is very nuts this year and completely unnecessary
@Jay: thanks this is nuts this yr
@zhosa: idk I told her for 2023 and she said they can’t even look at yet but I filed in Jan accepted next day got a cp05 saying do nothing I’ve called IRS can’t get anyone on phone and when I did she said wage verification is what I was waiting on so I’m confused filed one w2 same job 27 yrs crazy idk what to do but I need my money for medical bills
@Mlronq: thanks I’ll try again tmrw.
@Mlronq: What is with all the wage verifications. I don’t know if you remember me but I got a notice and then 30 days later another notice to send pay stubs. Well now my youngest just got a notice too and to allow 60 days. It’s his real first job he’s ever had so what could they possibly be looking at. I’ve never seen so many people get this. Then my oldest son who always gets his refund in about 10 days this year is delayed. It honestly sounds like a big stall tactic to me
@TheQueenofBee: they will ask you if you are under any sort of financial hardship like an eviction notice or utility shutoff like electric or gas or pending car insurance cancellation. basically anything that they consider that criteria. if you are not experiencing any of that then are more than likely not going to approve an advocate to help you, which is ridiculous. the service is to help any taxpayers with issues that the IRS agents cant resolve and you need your refund. i applied to get an advocate and was told yesterday i did not meet the required criteria so i’m stuck just waiting out the clock until the IRS gets around to fixing my return.
@ME so you’re probably on hold for wage verification like a lot of us. You should get a notice from them explaining why your refund is on hold. We’re all being told 60 days to 120 days. Hoping for some updates tomorrow.
@ME you have to say you’re calling about last years taxes (2022) if you ask about this years taxes they won’t be able to help we don’t file those until 2024.
@Jay: what do u mean the information they are looking for ?? I dunno I’m nervous to call them is it safe to be giving them ur info and stuff and I wonder if I’m any way advocates can delay ur return longer lol …
@MRZNOZ: transcripts mass update tonight.
I used to have hope now I just know nothing is probably gonna happen lol I’m under audit and I just got letters saying they received both my uploads and to do nothing but wait till mid June lol
I dont think i ever felt so discouraged in life smh… i was banking on my refund to keep up with my bills and get food for me and my child. This is a bummer i cant even go to any food pantries or renewal my food benefits beacuse they’re all to far i dont know what to do. I want to give up but i know i cant this is just a very long process.
So nobody transcripts updated today?
@Me: not sure about the wording in your conversation , but last year’s taxes is “what they do”, so did you say “this year” which is 2023 and if so call back and clarify. Now the irs agent did my request (on her own) after mentioning i needed it for medical supplies, etc. I called the next day to make sure she really did it and 2 agents verified it. I don’t know much about the 911 form but some people fax that in, as well.
@Jay: I honesty think this is why im waiting as well my last job didnt even have a W-2 for me on file everyone else got theirs but me. So i just so happen to call the HR one day after a few weeks of me being the only one without one. They told me that for some reason i wasn’t in the system and a W-2 wasn’t generated for me .. Like what?! they end up sending me out one but i think maybe the IRS didnt have the same on file or anything at all .
@Me: everyone seems to be stuck in wage verification this year. my payroll company misprinted my W2 so when i filed my taxes, i filed with more income than what the IRS had on file and my return was immediately flagged.. now im stuck waiting for them to correct it
@zhosa: I called that number they said they only help for last year’s taxes and all she sees is wage verification idk I’m so confused why I cant get help been since Jan 21st
I see all these people saying they called a tax advocate and got their returns figured out I called one and they said they can’t check on this year’s just last year’s can someone help me plz
I wish I’d see something over here!!!!!! Still on one bar. Checked my trans, nothing at all has been posted! And I called the irs. They said it could be another 8 more week for it to be processed! I feel like giving up. Filed 2/17 accepted 2/18 no codes, no letters nothing at all.
Once you fax ur papers to tax advocate how long you think till I get answers? Please someone let me know please.. 🙏🙏🙏 thanks
@Thequeenofbee: be careful though because if you do not give the advocate service the information they are looking for, they will deny you service.
@Dirtydog218: I believe transcripts update all day today
@Thequeenofbee: Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) 1-877-777-4778
1-800-829-4059
@Sheila_33: how do I go about getting an advocate ?
i just got off the phone with a rep from the Advocate service because i wanted to see when i might be gettin a call from the advocate and i was told that my application for the advocate was denied because i didnt meet the criteria warranted to receive help.. so back to just waiting.. im glad i called to get an update because they apparently were not going to bother to call me with that update..
@Frank Garrett – Southpark IRS Agent (aka buckey12): thanks..just checked wmr again like we all do 🤣🤪🤓 bars are back from this morning.hopeful that’s just the 21 day timeframe
@So stressed: same here…..
@MRZNOZ: tomorrow is the big update? I thought it was last night
@DBP: you may have to verify
@MRZNOZ: Sorry I accidentally reported your comment instead of giving you a thumbs up. I logged into ID Verify through my transcript account but I was not requested to provide anything so I don’t think I need to ID Verify.
@MRZNOZ: How would I be able to check that? I see my wages, and that’s all. All of the other three are N/A. I didn’t know I could check to see if a letter had been sent.
@Stillconfused: Mine was like that and needed a verification which I just did.
@Stillconfused: Did you check your transcripts to see if a letter was sent?
Big update tomorrow so hopefully the NA’s change with a date. I verified off of my 4883C letter so hopefully a change is coming.
@DBP: I’d always been under the impression that “still being processed” is once it has exceeded the 21-day period, is being worked on and just not finished. That said, it looks like there’s a bottleneck at the IRS on processing returns. I ‘ve seen others on here and other places with relatively simple returns filed all the way back in January that are still on 1 bar–many of whom don’t have error letters like some on here.
@So stressed: They only told me I should receive a letter in the mail within ten weeks. This is crazy. I had a simple return, no credits, and no dependents.
@Keish: Nope. I haven’t received anything.
Had a married friend with the following situation: Filed/accepted via H&R Blockhead on Feb. 15th. WMR as of this past Saturday shows SS#, filing status and expected amount on left side. Message says IRS has no record of receiving return and to contact tax preparer, and it also has the tax code 152 at the bottom.
My understanding has been that it usually says “has been received and is being processed” or “…still being processed.” Person does not have access to transcripts. I do know they are weekly as they receive their refund on a Wednesday and WMR only updates for them on Saturdays. The wife was worried return was rejected, but I had her verify on HR site that fed/state were accepted (both are).
My thought is that it is stuck somewhere in the system or it wouldn’t give the tax info on the left side but hasn’t even started to process and thus the lack of a processing message. Thoughts?
Good morning everyone, filed 2 weeks ago accepted had bars and amount,n/a scripts…..still n/a scripts this morning.however, wmr now no amount new message “stil” being processed but we still have tax topic 152 any ideas
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