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.
@Honeybee82: You read that right🙃
Sorry about typos. Fingers numb from being out side
@NYKHIDD: I had to wait til a form was available bc of self emoyment. It did become available til last night then I was able to pay TT fees to file. I’m not requesting an advance
@Honeybee82:
I used to use TT but switched and had never done the advance–mainly because I didn’t like the wording of “pre-qualified for up to XXXX.” As their FAQ states, it’s essentially a loan on money you’re supposed to get on your return done in 10 block amounts up to $4000. While some people are pre-qualified to receive up to $2000, not everyone ends up getting that amount. There are examples–even on a TT users page–of users who were pre-qualified for $750 and only received $250. My understanding of the program is that you still have to accept what ever the final amount is before it is initiated, so it’s not a bait-and-switch like preditory loans that say you’re Pre-q’d for up to $4K and then offer you $500 with repayments of $125/mo for 10 years. LOL.
All that said, even the offer is fluid. By date, it’s available until Feb. 15 but noted after that “or the date until available funds have been exhausted,” which means if a whole bunch of people seek advances and the bank issuing these runs through the money quicker, then some people might be left without a chance at an advance even if it is before Feb. 15.
@My5AndI: did you have the advance?
@MSRazorbackPhD: So even though they told me how much my advance would be once I qualified, the amount could still change once I get accepted by the IRS? Or did I just read your comment wrong lol? 😄
@Harris: I had that option back on 1/7/24 when I filed … it gave me the option for pay with refund … turbo tax advance .. like every year I never take the advance then complain later that I should have . I just paid fees up front I can wait I guess
Just Accepted TurboTax filed 01/17
Thank You!
@TaraS: Both! Whatever they offer is an estimate, but upon final approval…that’s what you get!
@Lexxi686: Not Yet…..
@TaraS: they tell you the advance amount and you have to accept it to proceed with ur
Has anyone been accepted with who selected TT advance yet
Does TurboTax tell you the refund advance amount you are approved for when you file? Or is it an estimated amount?
Here we go go!!! I’m back here for the 4th year. Love this fun, informative and accurate forum.
@Sheila_33: Thank you for responding!! Fingers crossed! Have a great day!
@sassy29bk: I think we possibly will today and into next week. Acceptances seem to start mid morning into the late afternoon. Good luck!
@Amy19: Good morning hun! Well, sounds like something may be going on behind the scenes. Keep checking those “as of” dates. Every year for me is a learning experience when it comes to taxes lol. Thanks for being around and helping. It is very much appreciated.
@Sheila_33: Good morning. The 922 on our 2021 transcript still has a September date but I do believe it is being worked on now. On my account balance page, it has $0 for both 2022 and 2020 but now the 2021 says INFO. I called the offset number, still nothing there. Last I knew the advocate was trying to wipe off the interest owed. Hopefully she can and we can get this taken care of asap. It is ridiculous that the w2 was incorrect and correct at the same time! We always wait to file with the w2 but we had now idea there was supposed to be a second w2 for my husbands disability payments when he was in the hospital. Lesson learned now by both the company and us! Have a good day! It is nice seeing familiar names popping up here, I’m sure it will get crazy busy soon!
Do any of you have “est. refund” 02/06/24 on turbo tax?
Do you guy’s think we’ll see acceptances today??
@VaGal07: your welcome
Happy tax season everyone! Just wanted to update anyone using TT wanting to pay fees with refund. Around 8pm TT allowed me the option to use my refund to pay for fees. Before that, I wasn’t allowed. Trying reviewing you refund again and should be able to pay out of refund now