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 βqueueβ 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 began accepting tax returns this year on January 29, 2024.
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.
@Honeybee82: It’s not dishonesty. The IRS is giving you an extra week to respond. It’s in your favor.
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What’s the turnaround time from getting an 846 to SBTPG actually updating?
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Check y’all’s bank accounts! I can’t give specifics because I can’t check my transcripts but I filed and was accepted 1/29. WMR has one bar and delayed message. My deposit just hit varo and varo didn’t even send me a notification! I only saw it because I needed to check the balance to pay a bill!
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@Kei: Yes, that means the IRS has officially released your funds to your bank π
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Hi.question for anyone. Once the 846 is on transcript Iβm good to go correct?
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@LostNthesauce: right π€
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Ebank/Neobank people> Other than Chime and Current, do you like whatever bank you use? Do they deposit early?
(I keep reading stuff going both ways on the Chime/SBTPG whatnot and it’s weirding me out a little…also I just wanna know if anyone really likes their bankπ€·ββοΈ)
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@Show Shmoe: I asked an IRS rep that the other day. He said they can help and aren’t burdensome to the IRS because they know where to look/get the answers for stuff
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@Show Shmoe: In my experience seeing them when I worked the irs call center, they do help because they know the ins and outs of where to go to get things answered which in turn helps get them solved.
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Do tax advocates actually help? Or do they delay the process and muddy the waters.
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Do tax advocates actually help? Or do they delay the process and muddy the waters.
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@Honeybee82: I was told my letter was mailed on the 9th, but when I got itβ¦.it showed the date it was printed was the 15th. So theyβre definitely not being honest about the dates theyβre being mailedβ¦.
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@Denise N: I just saw someone say on the IGMR Facebook page that they called today, and the agent told them they are extremely backed up with getting the letters sent out. Originally they told him his was mailed on the 12th, then the 17thβ¦and then told him today it was mailed on the 28th. That would explain why a lot of people still havenβt received them, even though they were told it was mailed out 3+ weeks ago
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@Denise N: smh itβs like groundhogs day of a non processed tax return!!!
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Question for NEW Chime users – did you have fees taken from your refund? If so, did it still deposit on time?
(I’m reading alot of wacky stuff about SBTPG amd Chime but it says it’s specific to new users and it just has me confused tbh)
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Question for NEW Chime users – did you have fees taken from your refund? If so, did it still deposit on time?
(I’m reading alot of wacky stuff about SBTPG amd Chime but it says it’s specific to new users and it just has me confused tbh)
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@Sheila_33: Hi. Once the 846 is on transcript Iβm good to go correct?
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Still no letter after it was sent feb 13th I called the hotline it was so busy they hung up on me
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Just got off the phone with an agent and she told me that my verification is confirmed and they are still reviewing my account and I should update soon. This tax season has been the worst.
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Have anyone who filed and accepted around 1/29/24 that had to verify already received their 5071c letter
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Mines stating still beening process
my last year cycle code was 5
can’t get a transcript just yet
what should I do
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Just for anyone who needs to hear this verified over the phone Tuesday and got 846 code with dd 3/6 this morning. It’s coming guys was told I might see update next week and some of y’all will good bless all π€
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@Waitingonmine24: maybe next week?π
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Does anyone know if there is a link to check your refund through H&R Block (Pathward, I think.) if you had fees taken out of their refund?
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@Harry a: yes I have the same code and dates
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@Sdiego: I have the same codes and dates. Last night it updated to 3-18 from 3/11..
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Came across this on reddit from someone who said he had an an extra helpful IRS agent (here’s a snippet of it):
He said that now that I have been verified and the flag has been removed on their end to check WMR and transcripts next Friday or Saturday… doesn’t matter what your cycle code is TRY YOUR BEST to AVOID checking every day… regardless of your cycle code they update everyone FRIDAY and into SATURDAY…DO NOT CHECK EVERY HOUR and EVERY DAY because if you check WMR and TRANSCRIPTS excessivly their system WILL POTENTIALLY flag you for identity verification again and again leading to an endless loop of your return being flagged for verification!
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@lakeriver09: my refund was also sent back to irs. i have turbo tax with fees taken out but problem was my bank sent it back they said it had correct account number but was coded wrong. so i talked to irs today and they said i have to wait till the 14 th to see if a paper check shows up here. that would be 5 weeks since refund was sent back if that helps any
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@Hazel143: just weird π€·π½ββοΈππ©πππ΅
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@Cedes: If you could use just one user name it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you π
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@VERYBERRYBLUBERRY: It happens sometimes. Not sure why. It could be as simple as a glitch and the system didn’t acknowledge the direct deposit info.
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Good afternoon Kill the IRS PPL with kindness when you call.. they will help.. rundown filed accepted 2/4 had n/a until the Friday after path. updated to 570 3/11/24. Today updated with 971 3/18/24 notice sent.. called at 7 this morning lady pretty much said screw you, wait 45 days after 3/11… I just called and was really sweet and the lady just told me the letter being sent on the 18th is from irs for wage and withholding verification from employer… My freaking job hasn’t even sent in our w2’s yet that what the hold up is nothing for me to do but wait for these pin heads to do their job.. Of course I tried to call the office and they already left for the weekend. Story of my life.
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@Cedes: you got your federal refund deposit without your transcript updating??
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@Starr: we are still in the same situation. My WMR went from path to being processed today. Still 570 0.00 2/26 and 971 3/4.. my SSA has my self employment.
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