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.
@tracy17777: I filed with Jackson Hewitt I received both the the early one December 15th and also the second one when I filed you can file now the IRS just keeps them in a pending until they open
@Deano: did you file with Turbo Tax? I was approved but won’t receive it until the IRS opens
Hello, I am wondering if anyone has received their İP PIN for 2024? I usually receive it in December but I have not this far received anything.
People are already getting advances???
@Deano: with who???
For the past years I’ve been approved for turbo ax advance but not this year I wonder why
@Deano: that’s the big question. We are waiting to see. I don’t think they will be able to implement anything in time for opening. If any legislation is passed, I think they will need to operate it like they did before and just send out checks.
@Monee’ Unlogged: I’ll come back after happy hour to digest 🤣😊
@DrBlute: right. And by all of the tax preparers, not just the IRS.
@Favor2024: You don’t have to wait the IRS holds you until they open I already filed and received advance 🙂
All this talk about child tax credit what happens if you already filed federal taxes?
X update from politico reporter:
Deeper dive this AM on the Wyden-Smith CTC expansion:
⁃refundable portion goes up $1,800 in 2023 -> $1,900 in 2024 -> $2,000 in 2025, when it will be inflation-indexed
⁃15% phase-in of refundable credit starts at same $2,500 threshold, but is now done on a per-child basis
⁃families can use income from prior years to get their benefits
(For background, multi-child families under current law can only phase in at 15% starting at $2,500. Under Wyden-Smith, 2 kid families would phase in at 30%, 3 kid families 45%, etc.)
Can someone dumb this down for me? My brain refuses to process it.
@Tori3: Possibly next week some time.
I doubt it would take affect for this tax year that’s a lot of updating software to do
@Monee’ Unlogged: it would definitely help a lot!!!!!
@IHATETAXTIME: I have a good feeling about it this time. We will know soon enough bc they are aiming to have it passed by the 19th.
Back again for another year of fun. This year will be different for me because I’m a PATHer. Waiting on my 1095 form to be uploaded to Healthcare.gov so I can submit my taxes
Good morning! So do you guys think this bill will pass? How much extra are we looking at per eligible child? This is so exciting!
Good morning, when does the IRS begin accepting returns this year?
@Epw86er: it was! I received my advance last year on the 20th. Tax season is starting late this year
@Monee: from what I’m reading they are trying to make it refundable when usually it is not.
@Favor2024: IKR I thought last year it was like the 21st or something like that
Here we go again everybody! Well at least we know for those walking the PATH end of February will be our look for dates and all else is meh
Why do we have to wait until the 29th?? That’s so far away!! I want my advance!!!!
@Jae: I hope not. Maybe they will just have to amend later??? Or it will update on transcripts somehow?
@Monee: interesting to say the least. If it is passed I wonder if it will delay refunds to those whim have already filed
@IGMR Admin: https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2024/01/10/child-tax-credit-expansion-congress-near-deal/
I’m having trouble understanding how they plan to do the child tax credit. Is it fully refundable like last time or does it look like they will do it differently?
@Monee: look at this email I got about business returns. They are putting off some business returns if they have certain forms (related to what they’re arguing about in those articles I shared) due to “legislation changes”.
Something is afoot.
https://ibb.co/g7fZtWc
@jemar707: I believe you’re right. I think the same thing.
@Monee: If they come to an agreement, maybe the IRS is on standby to go one way or another. I just don’t think they can. I think if they pass in the finance committee, it would have to go to the floor, it will have to make it to President desk and implemented by IRS.
I think if they do it, it will have to be the refundable way they did last time through a series of payment.
But I am just guessing. All opinions welcome.
Everyone be on the lookout for facts and report back.
Here are a few articles I found:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/01/04/heres-one-bipartisan-deal-congress-could-strike-january/
https://newrepublic.com/article/177947/child-tax-credit-bipartisan-bill
https://www.businessinsider.com/child-tax-credit-trump-breaks-might-come-back-wyden-cuts-2024-1
@Jae: they believe they can.
@Monee: Can the gov implement this change this fast?
@Piggie: they are in negotiations for child tax credit right now. They are doing their best to have it out by the 29th when tax season opens. There’s a tax break for businesses coming too. I just don’t know if it’s worth waiting bc I don’t know if it will really be done in time or if tax software will be ready. So far it’s been leaked that the credit will be for 2023, 2024, and 2025.
@Monee: What do you mean with the CTC? Sorry, so much going on…I feel out of the loop!
Debating about whether or not to file early bc of the possible child tax credit that could be coming at the open of tax season. Are we going ahead and filing early or waiting a few weeks to see???
Good morning and happy tax season again…just filed my federal threw turbo tax, state return isn’t ready yet on TurboTax so have to go back and file state when state forms gets finalized but still payed fees upfront so its between me and the irs with no middle man 😆
@GingerSnap: haaaay
Hey hey everyone! Long time no talk. Happy Taxmas!
All the changes the IRS has planned for this year shall be interesting… updated WMR, updated portal, chat features. This shall be fun.
@Aqhew31: true! good catch! I missed that. Those advances come out on acceptances I believe.
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