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 began accepting tax returns this year on January 29, 2024.
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.
@VaGal: yeah I’m not trying to help him out 😂😂 also I don’t want to lie on taxes as my boy has lived with me his whole life there’s a part that ask if my son lives with me and is other parent claiming him but with court order I don’t no if I even put my son on my taxes I guess I can call child support office tomorrow to make 😊
Report comment
@Azluckyfish: I file my youngest son, the ex files our oldest. I do not list my oldest at all on my taxes. Not court ordered, I just did it to help the ex out and try to keep peace.
Report comment
Has anyone gotten this message on tt
We could not e-file your return for the following reason:
Tax Year 2022 transmissions are not available.
If so what’s it mean?
Report comment
Or do I not put my son at all on taxes so other parent gets all credits cause I think I read I would get eic and the other parent will get child tax credit I’m really stuck lol
Report comment
So I have a question to make sure I’m doing this right my x who has not seen my kids at all was ordered to pay child support the judge says he gets to claim one of my kids on taxes does that mean I say he lived with him and he gets all credit or do I file my son lived with me and other parent is claiming him I’m confused and don’t want to get in trouble 😵💫
Report comment
@Amber1022: I’ve seen some waiting on TT.
Report comment
Just curious if anyone has gotten an advance with any of the tax companies this year
Report comment
@Dewy: thanks a lot but ours came online today, they was actually up when I asked the ? Lol I’ve filed & all now, jus waiting for TT to transmit them.
Report comment
@Dewy: nice. Like I said I use turbo tax so have to wait until the 19th trust me I’m not too concerned with having to wait lol
Report comment
@DrBlute: State forms became available on Taxact for MA yesterday….
Report comment
@Goodvibes: I have used my paystub before several times and it has been spot on… You can do that with your medical stuff also if you have all the info and the company hasn’t changed from last year.
Report comment
@Taxseason4: yes, I did it for about 5 years and always was perfect. I wouldn’t recommend doing it not unless you know what ur doing and know exactly what will be on your w2 but I never had a problem, I file without W2 all the time and I did this year as well.
Report comment
@Goodvibes: yes, I did it for about 5 years and always was perfect. I wouldn’t recommend doing it not unless you know what ur doing and know exactly what will be on your w2 but I never had a problem, I file without W2 all the time and I did this year as well.
Report comment
@Mary: ok, did you receive your regular refund before amending or you had to wait to receive refund after amending? Thanks
Report comment
how can I get my stimulus checks
Report comment
@GOODVIBES I have in the past with no problem, but last year I did and screwed up and had to file an amended return, but got 1500 dollars back just had to wait a bit for it.
Report comment
Have any ever used last pay stubs to file & was successful?? Thanks
Report comment
Have anyone ever use of there last pay stub & was successful?? Thanks
Report comment
Hey y’all! Well it’s that time again. This year we decided against HR Block and used FreeTaxUSA. Fairly easy navigation and hoping all goes smoothly. We do have dependents. My husband has a 9-5 and I file a SSA-1099. Looks like everything is super similar against previous filings so that’s a good sign. Now just awaiting that acceptance message which should happen on the 23rd.
Report comment
@Rusty77: It will be rejected by the IRS and you will need to resubmit it. You will be notified the same way as if it were accepted. I did the same thing a couple years ago.
Report comment
Hello to all. I will let you know if I am accepted in test batch. I have no credits only 1099’s. Test batches start tomorrow.
Report comment
Happy tax season y’all !! Hopefully we all get our refunds in a timely manner ❤️
Report comment
I’m trying transmit my return on tt and keeps saying
We could not e-file your return for the following reason:
Tax Year 2022 transmissions are not available.
Anyone know why it has gotten this message?
Report comment
@Azluckyfish: nope
Report comment
@DrBlute: omg really? They wanted 80ish for just federal because of unemployment 🤦♀️
Report comment
@Rusty77: Contact TaxSlayer. As long as it hasn’t been accepted…they’ll fix it for you!
Report comment
@Rusty77: And you can do it any time of year. :)
Report comment
@Rusty77: Go to https://www.irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript and try to set up an account. It’s a perfect way to see what’s going on with your tax account.
Report comment
@Rusty77: If it hasn’t been accepted yet, you might be able to pull it and adjust and resubmit. FreeTaxUSA offers that so hopefully Tax Slayer does too.
Report comment
@Ugly_duckling: I used tt and this year they only charged me 29.00$ i was shocked
Report comment
Also Guys sorry, I just efiled with TaxSlayer ther other day and just realized I put the wrong agi at the end for verification. Can I fix that real quick
Report comment
Hey guys, I know this has been answered thousands of times through the years. However, I year after year I don’t need it so I just didn’t do it. My? Is how do I get a login and access to my transcripts? Can I do it now or do I have to wait till next year?
Report comment
@MelloDello53: thank you
Report comment
@Azluckyfish: Hopefully on the 16th or 17th. I read the IRS will start test batches on 17 though 22nd of January.
Report comment