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.
@Fluff: I Called As Well N I Was Told Something Similar Then I Talked To The Balance Due Department Just To See If I Had A Balance So They Could give Me A transfer pin. I asked if they could also help me get a copy of my return transcript from 2023 for mortgage purposes. She said she couldn’t but would give me the pin and transfer me. The person I was transferred to answered n I asked if she could reissue the letter because the address on file is incorrect so I won’t get the letter. She looked the letter up for me and said she couldn’t resend it. I figured it was for me to fax my w2s I filed on my taxes to the error department. She said she saw they got the docs n If I don’t have my refund in 30 days to call them
Anybody got an update on New Jersey state refund?
Do transcripts update every day?
@jemar707: No problem. Hers was just a very simple return and only getting back what she paid in. But it’s weird that nothing updated and still hasn’t and her money has already got to her account.
@TeeDee44: It’s a tax credit
Can anyone tell me when state taxes update please I’m in Michigan
@Fluff: it’s absolutely frustrating!
@LLMom: @Golly3112: yeah my ass of dates on my older transcripts are weird too! 2020. through 22 all have as date of November 27, 2023, and my top two transcripts haven’t populated yet, but my account transcript for 2023 has an as of February 26, 2024. I feel a little better since I’m not the only one with weird stuff happening. Also, another thing is that my cycle code for 2022 was 05, I’ve always been a weekly. But at some point between last year tax season and this year’s, it’s changed to an 03 cycle code. Hmmm
@Vb757: im still waiting the letter
@Jocelynn: I’ve called three times and all I get is that I have to wait for a letter but no letter in site…..nothing online…no Transcript updates nothing….I wish they would move Quicker
For anyone waiting on the 5071c letter, did it really take 2 weeks for it to arrive in the mail once you requested it?
Anyone file/accepted on 2/3 have their transcripts update?
@TeeDee44: if it’s a negative it’s a credit to your account, the refund is usually broken down my credits and then code 768 is the Earned income tax credit.
Does anyone know what code 766 on my transcript means. There is an amount next to it too
I am still so confused about calling the verify hotline this morning…. She asked me a ton of questions to verify my identity then questions about my tax return from this year, just to access my account and then tell me that I have to wait for the letter with the control number in order to verify my tax return info… make it make sense!!!!
@Sheila_33: your probably right just like I had 0 balance when I login to my account now I don’t glitching for real I guess
@Bebe44: mine says the exact same thing. On my date I have a 0.00 amount but codes 150 766 etc and it shows a negative balance on top but at the codes it’s zero under the amount followed by – -xxxxx for.the credits. I guess we have to wait til mid Feb to get that magical 846
@Froglover7m4(not signed in): I am sorry I misunderstood. I thought you were saying deposited with PATH. Then I saw she was just in highschool last year with the basic return. So I was so confused. I was confusing her situation with yours. My bad.
@jemar707: no she didn’t have an advance
@LLMom: Same! I’m not sure I’ve ever noticed it before, so it freaked me out. But, nothing new has come up on any of them so…idk!
@Golly3112: thank goodness I’m not alone! I’ve seen it before in previous years but it always gets me confused. It’s like they’re looking 👀 for something. Let them look, I filed everything lol.
@LouisianaMan: Sounds like the message you get when it’s passed 21 days. Please everyone correct me if I am wrong. I am not 10%
@LLMom: yes! All of my years except 2018 are showing as of 2/19/24. I don’t think anyone can figure out why.
Ok I was looking at WMR and I received the following message. FYI I was excepted on 1/18/24. Anyone else excepted around my time have this message?
We apologize, but your return processing has been delayed beyond the normal timeframe. You can continue to check back here for the most up to date information regarding your refund. We understand your tax refund is very important and we are working to process your return as quickly as possible.
Helpful Information
Please read the following information related to your tax situation:
Tax Topic 152, Refund Information
Hi. I have a question about as of dates on transcripts. This year so far is as of FEB 19 2024. Last year has APR 23 2023 – Tax years 2019. Then tax years 2018 & 2019 has as of FEB 19 2024.
Our 2023 hasn’t populated yet and won’t until Friday (hopefully) no issues so far but I’m curious, does any one else seeing their past transcripts as of dates being weird?