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.
I owe the federal IRS but my transcript for that yr says “tax period blocked from automatic tax levy”. I know they will end up taking my fed refund. I spoke to 2 irs agents about a week ago, 1 said my state refund won’t be taken because it’s suspended and the other said yes. I just got a notice in my NYS account that my refund was processed and issued and when I check the status itsays
“Refund Status
Your return has been processed. A direct deposit of your refund is scheduled to be issued on (FEBRUARY 09, 2024) to the account you requested.”
Does this mean I will actually get my NYS refund?
@lori1985: Did you change your maiden name to your married name with the social security office? What
Bottom of the afternoon all my peeps just letting y’all know they have a forum just for STATE TAXES we all come from just about all 50 states but we all file with the MAFIA IRS KEEP THAT IN MIND
@Stillwaitinginfairburnga: I filed Michigan on 1/31. It wasn’t until today that it would show me any info. Then I called.
@Honeybee82: I filed my taxes head of household. As everybody is stating the Michigan website does not have the option to choose head of household. You have to choose single. I spoke to Michigan department today and she told me head of household is not an option that it would be listed under single.
@Manabear33: If from IRS it will say Treasury and if from state it should say Dept. of Revenue or such. What foes that random deposit say?
Anyone receive a verification letter yet ?
@Michigander80: Thank you, that’s what I figured so I’ve been choosing “single”…..but it still keeps telling me that my information doesn’t match. I’ve seen a lot of people who are getting that same message too, so I’m not sure. I even tried calling to check on it…..same thing, info doesn’t match. I’ll just keep waiting it out 😊
I’ve been following the Reddit page and someone had the verification 23hrs ago. 17hours ago they updated that their deposit hit their cash app card!!!!!
@Stillwaitinginfairburnga: I filled 1/17 and was accepted 1/19 when I check my state it doesn’t say nothing and when I call the state automated number that starts with a 517 it says pending review until 4/12. Have you called the automated number?
@Honeybee82: Treasury site will never have head of household, you need to choose single if you didn’t file married
@Stillwaitinginfairburnga: I filed on 01/31 and was accepted the next morning on 02/01. I wasn’t expecting anything this week, but I was hoping for next week. Last year I got my state just under 2 weeks after I was accepted, so I’m hoping it’s the same this time. I know they are starting to send those tax rebate checks in the mail on Tuesday, so I hope that isn’t going to hold up the returns this year…..
@Honeybee82: the st
@Honeybee82: when did you file I have been getting the same thing when I try to check my Michigan state return
@Brogon52: when did you file I’m waiting on a update on my Michigan state return
@Michigander80: Thank you! I think I’ll just have to sit and wait until I see mine officially post. Every time I try to check the state WMR, it keeps telling me my information doesn’t match. It also only gives me the option of saying I filed as single/married with joint/married….but I filed as head of household, and that’s not an option. So I guess I’m just a sitting duck lol 😆
@IHATETAXTIME: I don’t have anything on WMR just on my IRA home page about the verification. I called and spoke with someone and she stated if your income goes up by a certain percentage then you have a very good chance of being flagged…
I’m just thinking that since I’m in the weekly boat that we will get our DDD / 846 code on our transcripts on that Friday 2/16 and then update on WMR on 2/17, then deposits go in that following week ( except Presidents’ Day) depending on your bank. Ours usually goes in pretty early, our bank doesn’t hold deposits.
So, I’m not expecting any 846 on transcripts THIS friday but hopeful the rest will fill in and we get PATH on WMR Saturday.
Just my gut instinct if on PATH.