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.
@IGMR Admin: True! But she would still get her refund advance sooner if she is accepted in the test batch, regardless of having PATH credits. My return was accepted last year 1/21 in a test batch, which got me me my refund advance the same day, but still had to wait until after 2/15 for the rest of my refund to come through as I am a PATHer too!
@AngieInMichigan: If you have Path credits and in test batch, your refund would still be held until after 2/15
I know there has been issues with people being in the test batches but I kinda hope I’m in it this year. That would get the refund loan to me sooner lol. For those of you that have been in the test batch before have you had to wait much longer than others on the path have?
First time filing with FreeTaxUSA. Hope everyone is well!
Well got my tax return ready to submit. Going through TurboTax again this year and I am pre-approved for the refund advance. I just haven’t filed yet. I hope everyone has a smooth tax season this year!
Good morning everyone – back for another year of fun and excitemtent.
Oh and the new design is helpful to point people to topics. But you use the Help Button to jump to bottom.
@Mike: Glad to jump in during the early days and then I sucked into backend things. Great to see you and so many come back over the years, I get sucked into the forums and behind the curtaIn when thing ramp up.. W2should be smooth sailing for you!
Always looking for people to jump in the general discussion area of the forum! 2024 just opened and I look for topics with 0 replies.
https://igotmyrefund.com/forums/forum/general-discussion/2024-tax-season/
We dare people to venture. lol
@Tww1977: Hi who did you go through for the tax advance? Thanks in advance
haven’t filed my taxes yet but im back for another tax year of waiting with you all.
@jemar707: Always good to hear from you! And a big kudos and thank you for keeping this site around and running all these years. :) I myself am interested to see how this year plays out. Sold my company last year and am back to a regular W-2 job.
@Mike: That’s pretty much what I am thinking for test batches.
https://igotmyrefund.com/irs-update-calendar-for-transcripts-and-wmr/
Hi everyone! Hope everyone has been well. Back for another year, looks like they are opening slightly later this year. Test batches around the 16th through the week of the 22nd, anybody else share the same thoughts?
“For IMF, the Dead Cycles are cycles 01, 02, and 03”. So I have on calendar HUB testing could start as early as the 16th.
@IGMR Admin: Oh so late….
https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/2024-tax-filing-season-set-for-january-29-irs-continues-to-make-improvements-to-help-taxpayers
@Mbry0625: preparer
@Mbry0625: My guess is end of next week going into the week of the 22nd. Manual states they gotta have some dead weeks to oil up the machines lol
The IRS announced tax season officially begins on January 29th.
@Goodvibes: On the site. It should be in your inbox.
@Sheila_33: hey girly! i am guessing not since they are not opening until 1/29, anyone accepted yet?
@Tww1977: through a preparer or software program?
Hey hey everyone
Im backkkkk for the 10th year how is everyone is we all ready for this tax season.I know i am.I am now a tax preparer its alot of new laws etc this year so please do not use last check stub every one please 🙏
Verified and updated ways to talk to humans at the IRS today:
https://igotmyrefund.com/talk-to-human-at-irs/
I got a refund advance late Friday from sbbt. When should I see it on my netspend?