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.
ID Me is still an option to make an account for viewing your tax transcripts online. Your transcripts can provide information on your status as your return moves thru the IRS processing system. IGMR has the resources to help you read and understand the codes and processing cycles.
https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/new-identity-verification-process-to-access-certain-irs-online-tools-and-services
@Sheila_33: thank you
@N; Usually, it doesn’t.
Just curious if anyone know, I am stillll waiting for my amended return from 2021 I have an advocate but she’s no help. It has been processing since 2/28/2023 it will be 1 year soon. I faxed all of my docs to my advocate only for her to delay it again by saying she’s going out of town for 2 weeks and she’s forwarding my info to ANOTHR department and I should hear from her by 1/18/2024 smh This will not affect or delay my return for this year will it?
Hello in the supporters group I tried to comment on the post but it says my comments are pending. I also can’t share the post because there’s no option for me to do so.
@PBanMelly: In most cases, the 571 is a hold release code. Hopefully, whatever was holding you was resolved and you’ll start seeing positive movement.
Merry Christmas Happy Holidays everyone! For those of you still waiting on your refund, I hope you see your refund soon. :)
@Michelle P: Movement of the “as of” dates can mean something is going on behind the scenes.
@Samiam: Most of the time, advocates won’t accept a case for a return until it has processed thru the system.
@Michelle P: I think you should call twice a week through january 9th to find out more. It might help push it through and not wait 20 weeks
I submitted an amendment for my 2020 tax return 3 weeks ago and it still isn’t showing on irs site. I did look at my transcripts and there is an as of date of 1/9/2024 do you think that means they are working on it?
When is it best to get a tax advocate? Before or after you file?
@jogn mark: we think IRS will begin accepting returns on 1/22. You can file earlier though with most tax preparers and your return will sit in a queue waiting. If it’s sitting in queue and gets selected as part of a test batch, you could get an earlier refund.
What’s start date for 2024 refund
I have been lurking for 13 years. This year I have finally got a job with a tax prep software! I love this site. Will be donating this year
@Happy Girl: You can file as early as the first week on the new year. Returns are held in a queue until the IRS begins processing. That date hasn’t been announced yet. It is usually around the 3rd week of the January. My guess it is 1/16 or 1/22. If you file early, your return could be selected for a test batch before the IRS officially begins processing. In that case, you could get your refunf as early as the day after opening if you are using a prepaid card.
@TeeDee44: The codes would be the same. For example, 846 Refund Issued. There might be additional codes related to the amended return. You can use this link to see different transcript codes.
https://igotmyrefund.com/irs-transcript-codes/
There are common codes at the top of that page and below there is a search for code.
Hello everyone please I want to know when exactly is tax starting next year and how can file to get approved please someone should help me please
Is the transcript read the same way for amended returns?
@Mom Your refund will most likely be mailed.
Question! Maybe you know the answer. Can I update my bank information if mt refund was sent to a closed account? Credit karma closed my account bc my refund never made it bc of an offset delay. Transcript has 846 code but no notice besides the offset.
@Teresia c: happy for you. I am waiting since I sent in my 2021 amended return. Advocate said last week be prepared to fax over proof. I’m doing that 1st thing Monday
Finally after 8 months of my amended return I’m getting my refund.
I have a 971 code for tax period being blocked for automated levy program
@PBanMelly: The IRS reports that code 571 on a transcript means that it is a reversal of tax code 570 or 576. This status appears when a previous action on a taxpayer’s record is reversed for a specific reason. It indicates that a credit on hold or a pending liability has changed its status, and the issue is now resolved.
This is what I found when I looked it up
Still waiting on my refund from last year. I know have a 571 code on my transcript. What’s that mean?
@Dwah: thank you
@N: 424: This is an examination request indicator; your return was referred to the Examination or Appeals Division.
This is what I found when I googled it.
@Curious in California: Yes it has been a long time coming but yay!!! We finally get what we worked for after all this time ! I have mine going to CK so hopefully we see it by midnight I’m west coast as well. Thanks for clarifying that for me 🥂
So my taxes where adjust, which I am going to amend. I still don’t have a refund date, I have a code saying they finshed assessments with 20230405 behind it, then I have two notice codes dated 11/27? Does anyone who had this issues understand it? It stills says I am due a refund which is still incorrect because of the irs.
DD 11/15/23! Have a great tax year all.
@pressed like a panini: you and I lived the same IRS wave this year! I’m getting mine on the 16th as well. Filed at the end of January. I got like 160 extra for there delay. Anyhow to answer your question we will get it on the 16th. I bank with chase and it’s never early. We waited this long now we can wakeup Thursday to dollars!
Sooooo 10 months later…… I finally have a 846 core with the date 11/16 as well as 30 bucks in credit…like excuse me I think the interest is a little higher than that considering it was their fault I even had to wait this long. My question is the as of date saying 11/27 when we get the refund or is it the date next to 846?
Thanks
After having 570 since February finally got a direct deposit date today. All it took was a call to a tax advocate. Told them what was going on. She said to call them back in 2 weeks. I didn’t. Then I missed a call from them. Returned the call and left a message. Today woke up to a transcript update. I will say my as of date changed last Friday for the first time since March. They gave me 156 dollars in interest. So if you’re still waiting with a 570 there is hope.
Amended 2021 year was showing as of 10/6 after advocate called and said should know something by 11/13. Checked transcript and it says 424 code with as of date 11/27, does anyone know if that is a good thing?
My father lost my step mom just before filling taxes in 21, she’s the one who always took care of them, needles to say w2’s, gone. Finally in February of this year we filled out paperwork to get his and moms W2’s, both tried from V.A., TOOK 6 MONTHS to get them, I filled his taxes, married filing jointly because he could for 2 years I believe. Needles to say, had to mail them in, sent copy of death certificate as well, this was September 14, finally seen movement on trans, had a received date of October 5th and as of 11/06. Cycle code 20234203. EVERYTHING is and has been filled in for 3 weeks. He’s always had an 05 but his 2021 turned to 03. We called, last looked it up, give it 6 more weeks, put him on hold 3 times just to tell him that. So when in the world is he getting his refund?? Wmr days take action and below it said do nothing, but this is when he called. What in the world are they doing? I do know they’ve taken a look back as far as 2018, everything is normal no discrepancies. And looked at 2022 as well this dates all said 10/16/2023… I’ve not seen anything like this before. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you
@Bobby Bonilla: thank you at this point, I don’t see that getting an advocate and contacting the congress office has caused me to get it faster
@N: your congressional aide just emails the advocates office and tells the aide the same thing
@TeeDee44: 🤣🤣🤣
Thank you for that humor, as I did my 2021 amended return back in 2/28/23. It made 20 weeks in July. They told me 30 days then another 30 smh. The 1st week of Sept I got an advocate and at the same time contacted my congressman office. The advocate called me last month and told me that it should be done by 11/13. I followed up with the congress office and they only said oh you just reached your 30 days so we are waiting to hear from your advocate. Wanting to have my refund by next week. I’ve waited so longggggg.
I think I have finally figured it out. I know why amended returns are taking so long. I believe the exact wording on the site is:
“Whether paper or electronic, all amended returns are handled in the order received,” Smith said. “Right now, it’s taking over 20 weeks to process an amended return.”
What this means to me:
I’m guessing they open up one envelope containing someone’s amended tax return spend 20 weeks and process the hell out of that everyday for 20 weeks and once the 20 weeks is over they will open up the second envelope with another person’s amended tax return. I hope this helps to clarify.
igotmyrefund.com (IGMR) is not affiliated with any government agencies. The information we provide is purely speculative. We derive our information from personal experiences and comments from users. We attempt to maintain the most relevant and accurate information available. However, we are neither responsible for false information nor the timeliness of refund status and delivery. DO NOT post the amount of your refund, account numbers or social security number. By commenting you agree that IGMR cannot be held liable for what others may do with your information. We allow comments subject to our sole discretion. If your comment is held for moderation please read How We Moderate Comments HWMC. The links on our site are affiliate links. If you buy something after clicking a link, we may make a small amount of money to support the cost of maintaining and improving the site. This website is owned and independently operated apart from advertisers and is only an affiliate to the companies displayed in ads.
Privacy Overview