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.
@Ak: I went a week ago and ID verified in person, it was quick and easy and everything updated by Friday, just waiting for the PATH to lift.
@NYkhidd: Oh okay, thank you! I was about to get excited for nothing lol.
@Lioness: that’s nothing really .. when you select the reason for transcripts the previous screen it just shows you what transcript is needed for the reason you chose .. mortgage related etc ..
Any new ideas for the transcripts with as of 2/19? Everything still the same for me. Hoping that means I’ll update Friday!
So I logged in to view my transcripts like I did every morning since filing and they are not there yet but for some reason the whole “Return Transcript” column has a green highlighted border around it. I’ve never seen that before. Could this indicate that they are working on them or am I just making something out of nothing?
My transcript has been As of 2/26 since Friday and sometime in the last hour it updated to as of 2/19. Still all 0s and looks incomplete. Any ideas?
@BetaTestMom: I have path message currently . All transcripts filled in except 846 .. I WAS 0505 the last 3 years . This year 20240505 last year 20230505
According to the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act, the IRS cannot issue refunds before mid-February for tax returns that claim the Earned Income Tax Credit or the Additional Child Tax Credit. This applies to the entire refund, even the portion not associated with these credits.
Check Where’s My Refund in mid- to late February for your personalized refund status. It’s updated once a day and remains the best way to check the status of your refund.
@Poohpooh: my NY return has been on received and processing since 1/30/24 . Never changed to further review yet .. some reported going to further review with NY right after it was accepted . Filed 1/7/24 accepted 1/30/24
@Sheila_33:
Is my message a path message or a delay message?
@DebMom: Congrats…one step closer! 🎉 My mom’s hasn’t updated yet, but I’m sure they will through the day
@DebMom: you will receive the deposit 10pm the latest earliest can be 1pm with chime today if the funds are showing up in TPG funded
@BetaTestMom: Refund Status Results with one Blue Bar Return Received
We have received your tax return and it is being processed.
If you filed a complete and accurate tax return, your refund should be issued within 21 days of the received date. However, processing may take longer under certain circumstances.
Please check here or use our free mobile app, IRS2Go, to check on your refund status.
Helpful Information
Please read the following information related to your tax situation.
Tax Topic 152, Refund Information
For 2/7 Tax Products Group just updated now it is wait on Chime time for me
I know that if you can order both transcripts, that doesn’t necessarily mean that you are done processing bcould it mean that they have started working on your return?
@BetaTestMom: That messaging you have on your Wmr is not the path message, it is a delay message.
@wade123: Basically, yes. :)
@Wade123: Projected IGMR refund calendar:
https://igotmyrefund.com/irs-e-file-refund-cycle-chart-2023/
@NYkhidd: I received a message that my NY state return requires further review.