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.
@Stephc11: have u gotten your advance yet?
@Harmonyyyy: that’s where my IP pin came from
@Chris: have you received you advance yet? How long after do u generaly receive advance, thanks
@GAPEACH30: Same thing happened. Apparently, Credit Karma was updating their system. I waited a few hours and was able to sign the disclosures.
@Amadwoman: have you tried comparing your 2022 filing with this year’s line by line to see if anything is omitted or calculated differently?
@Honeybee82: You’re welcome. Hopefully, you get the full amount you’re pre-q’d for from (self-edit) and (self-edit) doesn’t reduce it to some lower amount, but as you said, anything helps. The info seemed straight forward, and it wasn’t until I dug deeper into the q and a on the (self-edit) site that I saw people posting about the difference between pre-q and actual approved amount. Hope it goes well.
@Amboisme: They are going to be doing test batches into next Thursday so still time to be accepted. They usually start mid morning into late afternoon.
@GAPEACH30: same with me.. it said I prequalify for the advance when I went to sign the agreements I got a error message so I just said forget it and filed wit direct deposit no fees so I won’t have to worry bout tax products group 5 day delay when you pay with refund .. straight to my account soon as that 846 populates that same Friday .. I’m thinking 2/16 will be a big day for weeklies
@Sheila_33: I tried lol it didn’t work and oh ok ok ugh I’m waiting on my PIN number to come
For the test batch, do y’all normally see them throughout the day or do they do one swift test batch or does anyone know? I tried to submit last night but I kept getting errors. I submitted about an hour or so ago.
@Stephc11: I’m still waiting….guess I’m not one of the lucky ones! Lol
@Harmonyyyy: Did you set up a log in for your tax account to view transcripts? If so, it may be a letter informing you of that.
Heyyyyyy I got a letter coming from submission any idea what it could be??
@Joe Shmoe: not mint just checked
I just finished Filing with TT and I and HOH and 1 Dependant (Child) and under the income limit but my refund somehow seems 2k under. Any suggestions? I have looked it over and re-entered my information and from my calculations and 14 years filing its off. No deductions. just straight W2 and with 1 dependant and EITC and CTC.
Hey. I just e-filed with turbo tax. I was offered the refund advance 4,000 but the signature agreement wouldn’t accept my acceptance when checking both boxes maybe a glitch in the system. So I just elected direct deposit. Why does submission state 01/22/2024?
I just got accepted. Filed with TurboTax on 1/13/24 paid for prep from refund. I also got the Refund advance.
@sassy29bk: I filed through Turbo Tax today around 1pm and was accepted by 1:30pm. I also received the cash advance.
@Kristen R: niceeee, hopefully I’m next!! Submitted on the 17th
@sassy29bk: I filed 1/16 and was accepted today 1/18 – filed with TurboTax, W2 only – one bar on WMR
Has anyone been accepted today? I haven’t seen any so far
Anyone’s SSA showing 2023 earnings yet?
So check this out, at the end of 2022 hubby and I split and I moved states with our kids. I filed for and received gov assistance which in this state means I was required to file for child support. No problem. Well, last year we had to file taxes jointly of course. For reasons I would rather not get into, I had to do the filing myself and since I had to go through the nightmare of getting access to his w2, I had to file an amended return. Took 20 weeks, finally finished middle of Dec. and like I expected, was offset to Child Support. Well, the payment was posted to child support services, but not to my paycard. I call them, they say “well the IRS makes us hold it for 6 months before releasing. Theyt don’t tell us why.” Any ideas why this might be the case? I am thinking Injured Spouse, except I am the spouse on the return and the money goes to me anyways.
@Sorealsg7: Me too…so congrats. However it has happened…either lower or nada!
@Jersey Girl: Happy New Year! Happy to see you back.