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.
If I’m not mistaken, there is a code that is on scripts. Correct? So if trans populated half way (account and wage) wouldn’t it be wise to really not be concerned until a code populates next week or the following? Just tryna ease some worry for us all!
@Too Much Snow: Sounds like you’re daily, just thru the week. Dailies have mass updates on Tuesday on transcripts but can update on any day.
@Mike: It will be interesting to see. I never thought I would be a daily either.
@Walter DOG: Sorry, had to step out for a bit. My WMR says “is being processed”.
@Txnate::( k..thanks for the heads up. I’ll keep my eye out for it. I just thought it was odd that nothing shows up on my account. Only the where’s my refund app
@Sheila_33: Thanks Sheila, I think it was the 24th when my transcripts updated. Holding out hope for an update next week.
@PBkreyol: Definitely keeping my fingers crossed. Hope all of us that are eating for updates get DDD next week.
@Jennifer: an id verify notice wont show in your online notices. thats one of those that can only be mailed.
@Brittanylyfe1: when you ID verified, did you get the notice on your IRS account? It says I need to ID verify on “Where’s my refund” but when I log into my account, there’s no notices there
@MetaAngel: I don’t have access to my transcripts – my tel number changed, so I could not do the multi-verify, now waiting on IDme. I’m happy for you that you can see what they do – kinda :)
@Txnate: definitely but would be a welcome surprise lol
2024 Tax season –
“Where’s my refund” shows I should receive an IRS notice requesting to verify my identity
When I log into my irs account to try to do that, there are no notices, despite having e-delivery selected for IRS communications.
Anyone else experience this? Is it because maybe checking in the middle of it being processed?
Filed w/: Turbo Tax, early Jan
Regular w2 income plus UberEats
EIC or whatever that child tax credit is called (I know those don’t get processed till later)
Paid fees from the refund
Indiana if that matters
Has Anyone got the Path Message yet? I was accepted on 01/16/24 and still have one bar and topic 152 message. Just making sure I have company and not alone. lol
@Jacky_FL: I filed same dates as you and have one bar and no transcript updates. Have your transcripts updated?