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.
@shelleybeanss: Is your as of date 02/14/2024 or 02/12/2024?
@Sheila_33: sorry, just looked again. I do have all zeros. Do you know how I can tell if I’m still weekly this year or if I switch to daily? Thank you.
@Sheila_33: so my two bottom transcripts are showing with 2023. But they are still blank but I have an as of date is this normal? (sorry if I posted this question twice not sure if the first one posted.)
@Amy19: I’d be the same. I’d just as soon get it over with.
@Tab: You could be a daily 05, that may be why you’re all over the place lol
Slowly but surely updating. 2 transcripts are visible after last nights update. Not populated with anything other than zeros and an as of date of 02/14/2024. But nonetheless starting to show
@Sheila_33: Every year it’s a coin flip for me on daily or weekly. I’m not certain the reasoning behind the inconsistency of it or trying to make it make sense as nothing for me has changed in 8 years. I think next week will be movement. One can dream. 🤣
@Sheila_33: I did speak twice with an advocate, she said yes, it was an honest mistake but we owe the money. Of course I already knew that. She then explained they’d either waive the penalty or not, which they did not. I just want it paid in full and to be done with it.
@Demir22231: Yes, anyone accepted before opening day is in a test batch.
@justlikestealing: There’s a chance it could populate later today, but yes, I believe we have resequencing going on. I updated Tuesday morning with an as of date of 2/12 and 0s. As did my daughter and a few others. Following the pattern from last year, I won’t see an update until this coming Tuesday.