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.
@JennyC: i verified last Thursday in person. the lady told me to give it a week and to then start checking wmr for updates. LOL if i don’t see nothing change Friday & Saturday. I’m calling Monday.
@JennyC: yes same here 🤞🏾
I’m still waiting with yall! I ammended mine a few days ago. I did find errors which is why I probably had the 570. I saw posts on another forum where people ammended this year’s and got refund back already so praying it doesn’t take months/years!!! I sure could use this money!
@Sammy joe: since I’m owed almost 2 grand back, why would it show I owe $92 and why would the irs take it from my account if my ammendment isn’t even complete? Can anyone help me on what the next step would be
Hello, I have a situation. So I filed an amended return but I put the wrong amount on income made which put me owing almost 3grand. I filed another amended return with the correct amount which gave me almost 2grand back but showed I owed $92 the irs already took the 92 the very next day. My amended return isn’t even complete yet. It’s only been 2 days. So u was wondering if that 92 was because I amended or what?
@ShantayG: right? It’s not our fault the irs won’t give us our money!
My as of date and processing date have been stuck at 03/04 for 3 weeks now and no known notices or letters coming at this point. I was afraid I got stuck and decided to make a payment of $1 this morning hoping that once that is processed it will at least maybe get anything at all going. Even if it’s just moving the dates. I just wanna see any type of action at this point
Nothing once again. Verified last Tuesday. Hoping to see an update Friday.
@Mandie: I got that same message yesterday. SMH i just extended it to April 26th. but they got a lot of nerves.
Turbotax sent us an email yesterday saying we have until April 15 to pay them their fees because we still haven’t received our refund 🙃 even they’re getting tired of waiting. I tell myself every year to pay upfront but never do.
I have to wait 60 days for them to finish reviewing my taxes.
No updates all still the same i don’t think anyone works there
@Kris123: mine still didn’t update
@Jennbug: Whomever told you that at SSA that they should have been sent to the IRS was incorrect. Wages are always sent to SSA by employers. Can you fax a copy of your w2s to the review dept holding your return?
Filed February 2nd. IRS still shows no wages received from employer. Called employer and they said it was mailed to SSA and was received and signed by SSA the end of January. Called SSA and they said employer should have sent W2 to IRS not SSA. Meanwhile employer refuses to send again and our taxes are on hold because there is nothing to verify our W2 we filed 🤦🏻♀️ Help
@Red Dawn: yea thanks . 😊 I just have it set in the back of my head that it’s going to happen when it happens . I’m fortunate enough to not need my return, I JUST WANT IT !!
@Starr: aww! I hope that route is faster for you! 🥹 the tax year is bonkers 😵💫
lol looking for that drop in bank….. let’s keep each other updated and prayers up to all ☺️
Have to find something to laugh at a little but I know I’m not the only one that checks this page every 5 minutes looking for an update from anybody lol. Prayers & good luck for everybody though
@Boogerbaby089: No Problem
@Kris123: thank you I’ll go look now!
@Kris123: thank you I’ll go look now
@mo: I just amended my return … not saying that’s the best option for you , but for me I believe it is. I know my mistake and I know if I wait on them to verify it , it won’t get verified because it’s not a wage “w2” thing it’s a schedule “c” thing . So I took initiative to just amend. I spoke with a few agents and they all said that this might be better for me to do. So if you know what wrong and think it’s an easy fix with the irs . Let them take there 60days to review, but if you know it’s something that will ultimately take a while . Then go with your gut and do what you believe is best for your situation. !! Good luck 🍀 and I’ll be around 😩👍🏽
@Kris1234: Thursday night into Friday morning is the next mass update.
@Boogerbaby089: on your IRS . Gov account there was an are to enter banking information.
@Kris123: can you give any insight on exactly where you can upload information? I have checked my online account and don’t see where to upload documents.. thanks
So I filed on 1/28/24 and I have a 570 dated 3/4/24 I called and they told me they need to verify my Income, then I got a 971 with date 3/11/24 So on 3/11/24 I looked and have a letter CP05 saying 60 days but right now I looked on line at the other side of the tax return and where my wages should be. So they post on my regulars transcript request wages (all) with a tracking number of 3/12/24. My question is I know the wages where transmitted by Jan 28 by the employer but its not imputed on this screen. How long does it take to get this once the irs request it? And where are they requesting it from somewhere internally in the IRS that has not inputted it yet?? Anyone have any idea? I really need my return like the rest of you.
@Yoyis: all normal codes sit tight!!
Filed with turbo tax Feb 5th accepted Feb 5th. After 5 weeks WMR status changed to “still processing refund when available”. I have not received anything in the mail. FRUSTRATING
@Kris123: i filed 2/1 and was received 2/1 dd and have 0 did my daughters 1/ 29 by check she got state and fed in mail in 9 days lol they are out of control no one watching them but us
So I’m in the same boat as a lot of us (IDV, transcripts showing nothing) I’ve read a lot on other sites of quite a few people simply submitting there banking info onto there IRS portal profile and having transcripts update as fast as the next day. I continued to read to have more assurance and even came across someone to double check and there transcript was updated over night as well and had a DDD that week. Just want to relay this to anyone else who it may help. Not saying its factual evidence but I submitted my banking info so I will check back in with any updates if so. This (there’s nothing you can do you have to continue to wait) script isn’t rubbing me okay I’m trying any and every option lol
Ok guys I hope this helps, I’ve been reading threads on reddit about our situations. A few people have said that while transcripts aren’t showing anything and waiting for IDV letter, on there IRS account they put in there bank account information just so they had it and some saw transcripts update as fast as the next day. One even said they did it just to check to see and sure enough there’s updated and had a DDD by the end of the week. Not saying this is factual evidence but I continued reading and saw there was a few more that it worked for as well. I tried to put banking info in a minute ago I will definitely update here if I see any changes
@Not in a Rush, but kinda: unfortunately the IRS is a lot like the post office. It’s government technically but not really.
I have a question my irs transcript shows codes 150 766 768 and 806 what does it means? Please help
I’m sure this question has been answered but anyone know about when the next batch of our transcripts will update to at least show anything for this year? Its crazy how a lot of us have filed in January yet still don’t show anything on transcripts and or WMR