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.
@Ollie: i get it, but at the end of the day the only thing theyre liable for is what is stated, not what some people say theyve gotten. they are transparent in that fact. and what is stated is it will be available as early as 30 seconds after “acceptance”. nowhere does it say submitted in any of their documents
Ive been coming to this group for many, many years. It helps to navigate the anxious trip through the tax-vine. we’re all in the same general boat here, or we wouldn’t be here. love the info i gain from here and try to share when/if i find things too :)
If I filed on the 9th of Jan but I gave a submission date of 1/22/2024. Since day 1 I filed.
@shelleybeanss: Doesn’t matter when they’ve given it to folks on pending. Saying one thing doing another is not transparency for consumers. Fact: People that haven’t been accepted have gotten their advance instantly, and some haven’t, with 0 logical framework why.
@Ollie: the bank is 1st century
for turbotax/credit karma, it does state advance available as early as 30 seconds after accepted, not submitted
I finally got a hold of someone in CK chat, who wouldn’t bail, because I told them I was recording this time. He deflected to TT, and how it’s all them doing the picky choosey. He said they’re just the bank that receives it. Yesterday I talked to TT. Everything’s perfect, talk to CK. See what I mean. They’re speculating with SOME of our money. Only explanation I can gather. Last year with them. 100% deceptive with their giant instant approval banner after submission. Look at this Twinkie! You know you want that creme filling.
@Where’s my Bread: I filed on 01/09/2024 but I have a submission date of 1/22/2024…and I was approved.
@Ltdga: Same thing I want to know ??
@Tori3: That’s because people are broke and struggling and desperate for their money. Try to give people some grace.
Has anyone with the submitted date of 01/22/2024 been accepted and advance funded?
Filed on 1/17 with TurboTax. Opted for the advance. Still not accepted.
Sorry I’m referring to TT and CK. Not grouping.
@jemar707: Thank you. No, they’re approving, and sending people the advances regardless of the IRS, at about a 20% rate. I see this over, and o Everyone else gets not even an email, or any correspondence, and if you ask them in chat, they bail. No transparency. Too big for their britches now. Bankers gonna bank, and speculate for interest. This is the truth of what’s happening. 100% speculating, it’s a glass house. The longer the speculative money sits, the more interest they make.
@Ollie: Your commentary is fine, that’s why we call it a grapevine. It’s not all rainbows and butterflies around here. The only part I question is the part “Claim: They’re just test batches being accepted who are getting the advances. False.”
I am not sure what you mean. People are getting accepted in the test batches.
Another year
@DebMom: seems to be a common thing becuase same with me lol !
Claim: They’re just test batches being accepted who are getting the advances. False. People are getting it on pending instantly as marketed. Then to add even more deception to boot, they tell you you congratulations you’re approved…but you’re not. It’s the First Century bank (1-888-679-8122) that approves it, and will just change it at will to their liking. Nobody can argue this isn’t deceptive, and an intentional lack of transparency. 2nd: If you didn’t get it, they’ll refuse to chat, and bail, no matter what you say, so I’m sorry, it’s these folks that are being poked with a stick from all sides including here, being ignored, and can’t even send an email on the status. Not even an initial email after submitting. If this is too “negative” or spoiling your “good vibes” sorry, this isn’t a Wonka factory. Look what it literally says at the top of the page here in bold. For people impatiently waiting for their taxes. They’re not here for bubble gum, and broomsticks.
Good morning everyone…👋
@KinFl not logged in: I would plug in all the info into FreeTax USA as they walk you through step-by-step questions. We can’t give specific tax advice. But…. my take on it and the things I would consider if it were me: per diem is taxable if no expense report, so it would be included on your W2. You can use mileage if self-employed, but you were a W2 employee. Not sure if mileage is even a factor for a W2 employee because it is included in the per diem. The other question I might ask myself is if any of it mattered. Oftentimes it is better to just use the standard deduction instead of itemized.
The answer to your question depends on many factors on your return. That’s why I use one of the free/close to-free preparers like freetaxUSa or TT. I think they do well in asking you questions to lead you down the right trail while self-preparing.
I hope that helps.
@MelloDello53: same last year I received my DD before I ever ever saw a DDD on WMR. Hoping for the same this year
yep
This thread is a lot more hostile than it has been in recent years….sheesh!
@KinFl not logged in: If you’re using a tax software like FreeTaxUSA, it will walk you thru the steps and possibly you’ll be able to find out if you can claim that expense. When I worked for the government, I was able to claim my car expenses since I drove a lot each day. Or if you’re more comfortable using a tax preparer, then that’s definitely an option. Good luck on whatever you decide. :)
Hi everyone! So not excited for taxes this year. I got 2 temp W2 jobs last year. One is easy to file for but the other one has me in a tizzy. Maybe someone here can help before I ha e to pay someone too much money to tell me…
I worked on a “deployment” for 6 months. 90 days in office then home for the remainder. I received a per diem that was not attached to an expense report. Instead of staying overnight, I commuted 100 miles round trip every day. Does my mileage count as “hotel” expemse or will part of my per diem be taxed for what I didn’t use for a hotel (per the GSA rate) and if it is taxed, can I write off my mileage as a business expense?
For this particular job I did not turn in an expense report. My other one I had to every week.
Thanks for helping if you can. I hope this year is smooth sailing for everyone!!
Nice to see everyone. Waiting for that second bar. Got my refund last year on the 30th. No credits so hopefully again early. Good luck to everyone.
Not trying be bitchy but I swear half yall don’t read what people write or you chose not to see if the question has already been answered I see the same question about the advance ” when the IRS accepts it ” not sure what yall not understanding an it clearly states it when you apply for advance. An the official date is 1/29 when the IRS actually accepts returns people getting accepted are test batches like jeezzzz normally. I just come to read but yall flooding forum with the same questions asked different ways it still wont change the outcome, like go back a few pages before asking the same question, 12 people already answered lol like come on folks we do this every year.
Filed Jan 16th Accepted on Jan 19th Free TaxUsa
@Jersey: Stop the 🧢. I work for a law firm and no she cannot decide to do whatever she wants in this situation, and no criminal charges cannot be filed. This would go to small claims court if anything because it would fall under a civil suit. But it would be unlikely because she would lose more money hiring a an attorney because most firms charge anywhere from 33 1/3 to 40 %. So who would take a loss would be again the tax preparer. What you’re saying is basically if someone decides to take a loan from a bank and they don’t pay it back is considered theft when in fact it is not because the loan was given to him. He didn’t just steal it.
@2blessed: happy to see you hoppy this year is as smooth as last year and not like couple years ago
@criploc66: officially Jan 29 but test batches have already begun
@jemar707: thanks
I am still waiting to file.
When does the IRS start accepting?
@Cloudy86: They don’t officially begin accepting returns until 1/29. We have seen a lot of them accepted though in test batches. We expect testing to start again Monday-Thursday.
https://igotmyrefund.com/irs-test-batch/
Is the IRS taking a while to accept returns today? Anyone file today and it’s taking a while to be accepted?
@Mad tax man: I think you might have some issues to resolve that we can’t help with. Nobody requires you to be here.
Also note, I have never played a video game in anyone’s basement. I am Florida. We don ‘t have basements.
@jemar707: oh wow, I’ve wondered that!!!! Lol
@jemar707: lol, ok!!
The IGMR admin are nothing but Liars…..lie lie lie…..act like they know something…..ha you don’t know anything…bunch of dorks sitting in momma’s basement playing video games…. goofballs
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