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.
Shocked to find out my California State tax return was accepted today. I truly didn’t think this would happen until after opening day.
@DrBlute: same here…it’s all completely random lol. I filed TT on 01/09 and I’m still pending. My mom filed TT a few days ago and was accepted yesterday morning 😄
@Deano: deff not lol I filed turbo tax in 1/4/24 and still pending lol!
I am seeing different dates for when they start accepting PATHERS this year? Is it going to be Feb 17th, or Feb 21, or Feb 27th? Last few years I think I got my direct deposit on February 15th.
@Monee2: The money you earn this year (in 2024) will be for the 2024 year when you file your taxes next year in 2025. We always file our taxes at the beginning of each year, but it’s for everything we earned in the previous year. What we’re filing now in 2024 is the for 2023 year, when we file next year in 2025 it’ll be for the 2024 year….so on and so forth 😊
@Honeybee82: @Honeybee82: So the money I make in 2024 is part of tax year 2023?
@Monee: You are always filing for the previous year. So even though it’s 2024, you are filing for the 2023 year. That’s why when you check your transcripts, you will be looking for them to update to the *2023* year. No matter what year it is, you are always filing for the previous year with what you earned in that year. Hope that helps 😊
@Deano: Obviously this is not so!
@Ebonics for all: Good question! If the tax year is 2023 then the TAX YEAR IS 2023, if the tax year is 2022 then the TAX YEAR IS 2022 now this is where it gets confusing, if the tax year is 2024 then the TAX YEAR IS 2024. Hope this helps.
Is tax year 2023 actually 2022 or 2024?
@Jub426: Not that I’ve seen. Today is a deferred day on the IRS calendar so I’m thinking next week we’ll start to see things moving.
Did anyone’s transcripts update today?
I was able to submit my taxes right when we were able to mid day 1/4/24, have TT advance coming but PATHER. I was accepted in a test batch last year, and was hoping for the same luck this year😩 my TT says “submitted 1/22/24……pending 1/4/24” so kind of weird? Hoping I get accepted in a test batch soon! Could really use that advance since an unexpected accident and now medical bills are stacking up.
Wow, I’m simply amazed.
@Deano: thank you
@Monee: Good morning it’s 2023
No question is stupid
I’m sorry if this is a stupid question, but what is a tax year? For example….is this tax year 2024 or 2023?
@Jae: I filed back on the 3rd of January with Jackson Hewitt I know it’s all random but hopefully
@Deano: I was tax Slayer and was accepted
Question is the IRS only accepting TurboTax Early thats the way it seems