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.
@Mike: I was accepted 1/16/24 filed 1/7/24 all transcripts filled in except 846 .. all good codes different situation for everyone I think it’s based on the credits you claimed . I only have earned income credit and my with holdings .. nothing else so who knows . Check this coming Friday
@Sheila_33: Nope not a single wording change. From past experience with the ID verify, I don’t believe it’s that because my as of date is not stuck it just keeps moving out. No change to prior year transcripts, no id message on IRS account or WMR.
@Turbotaxer: mine is the same, accepted 1/29, transcripts NA and WMR says is processing. Hoping to update this week. Frustrating.
@Mike: Doing well, thank you. Makes me wonder if it’s just a double batch of recycling. Has your Wmr changed at all?
@Jellybean: If it’s the 2/26 date, check for any new codes with a 2024 date beside them. If there is none, then it may be the system trying to verify something and hopefully, you and quite a few others will update this week.
@Sheila_33: Hi Sheila hope you are doing well. Have we formed any theories on the early acceptances continuing to be pushed back?
I have a as of date of February 24th 2024 for my 2022 transcript. Is that normal? Does that mean I owe anything? Or should expect to? My current transcript is listed as n/a filed 2/2 pather
@ Yandyy: Doing ok been recovering from a car accident 2 weeks ago. Would be nice if the IRS woke up and started processing the right way. This is the 3rd week in a row not an update except a pushed out as of date.
@Sharon Grayson: My guess is, if they’re waiting until March 1st, then you might see your refund before they take action.
@Mike: Hey Mike how are you?Did you update?
This year really is something else huh. And it seems like just the early filers are stuck in a never ending limbo, and I am getting slightly aggravated with the IRS. I feel like every week we just get pushed back again and again.
Hi!!!
ALLL of my transcripts from 17 to current have as of 02-19.
Filed 01/29. Accepted. Only account is there with zeroes all others are NA.
Whats going on? Maybe I just haven’t processed at all?
@Sheila_33: hey Sheila I have a as of date of February 24th 2024 for my 2022 transcript. Is that normal? My current transcript is listed as n/a filed 2/2 pather
@Sheila_33: I have no access to my transcripts I never have I always have just gone by the good ole unreliable WMR. I did receive a letter on Jan 26 th from UE PUA about an overpayment and I had until March 1st to reply.
Will I receive my refund in a timely manner this year, even if my taxes from last year haven’t finished processing?