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.
@poogie. That is my bad. The default search does not include the comments here. I’d love it to, but I won’t get all techy. There is a way to do it, but I don’t think the average user would know about it. Glad you brought it up. I know it’s confusing, I have been trying to fix it for years. I digress.
@all: If someone wants to search comments specifically, you have to scroll to the bottom of the page and choose current or which year.
So if SSA has updated earning for 2023 does that mean return is processed? No Self employment.
@Sheila_33: I should have included some additional context… I had to create an ID.me account on Wednesday since my old IRS log in was no longer an option. I actually saw my 2023 wage and account transcripts on Wednesday, 01/31. Account transcript was blank of course and the other two were N/A. So I did see some of my (blank) transcripts two days ago.
2024/02/02 at 8:14 pm
@Sheila_33: oh gosh, I can imagine. Things are hectic this year. Storms are destroying everything and lots of flooding so not off to a great start. Can’t be any worse than last year though 🤞🏻
@Poogie: If your transcript updated today to the 2023 account showing, then you may have to wait until Friday next week.
2024/02/02 at 8:01 pm
@Sammie: I could be better, lol. The manual and I have a love/hate relationship and at this point I’m thinking a little distance would do us both good. But, I’ll go back, I always do. How are you doing?
@Sheila_33: looks like you have your hands full this year! Lol what a start. How are you this year?
@ConfusedInOhio: Ohio here. I am on the third business day since it has been processed and nothing yet. I feel like it took about 5 business days in years past but I can’t remember for sure.
@Sarah D: I never really paid attention to the technical aspect of transcripts until this year which is why I decided to finally ask a question. Lol. Thankfully, my “as of” date is moving, so I am hoping to wake up to fully populated transcripts. I am also going to push some positivity your way and say that I hope you update soon!
Hello everyone and happy new year. Late to the party this year. Anxious to see how this goes but I’m not holding my breath this time.
Hoping for an update tonight!! FINGERS CROSSED
@Tab: Sounds as good as any theory I’ve heard so far, lol. As of yet, I’m not finding anything but I’ll keep looking. But you’re right, the pattern is not consistent.
@Sheila_33: I typed my user name in the search but it didn’t return any results (I could be doing something wrong) , so if you responded, I probably missed it in the sea of everything else. If you could repost your answer, that would be great. Thanks!
@Shelia_33: Any luck with the 2/26 as of? 😂 Seems quite a few more have been put there. Some with 0’s and no return listed and done with filled out transcripts.
I think the leap year has the IRS malfunctioning! lol!
@Fluff: I’ve been trying to see today, but it only gives an error message. Maybe I will try tomorrow. I did see where my State of GA refund was received and is showing processing.
@Poogie: I went back thru the chat to the two questions you asked and I did answer them. If you go up to search and type in your name, you’ll see where I responded to both. But, if you would like, I can always answer again. :)