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.
@Morris: How do you know when your return will be coming? My transcript saying processing date 3/18/2024….
I already adjusted my withholdings at work. It’s rediculous. Supposedly they were supposed of hired more agents to process returns and answer phones.bits hog wash.
Hey just fyi for everybody I filled 1/29 had notification on irs account to verify return/identity never got the letter though went on this past Monday to verify in person transcripts updated today with 846 DD for 3/20 this was my first time filing had Etic and all that before today trans was n/a
What does the processing date on the transcript mean?
It has a date of March 18, 2024….
I am sick of the IRS. Filed 1/16 accepted 1/22. Verified online 2/26 and phone 2/29. Only thing updated was my as of date last Friday to 3/25 and today 4/1 everything else is still the same. I called this morning and the guy said nothing is wrong I just haven’t finished processing and to give it 9 weeks 🙄😭
Hello, to anyone who cares. Ive been watching this site for a while now.. without this site I wouldve been gave up lol. Shout out to the Day Ones. I’ll eventually donate. Congratulations to everyone who has a ddd, or updated to something positive. My situation: I’ve been waiting since 1/29 for updates. I verified 3 weeks ago with no codes (random letter) I verified online and with a rep. Still no codes. I’m going to Amend. Happy tax😑season yall and good luck in to the New year!!!!
@*Sigh*: my as of date is 3/18/24 I don’t expect any changes anytime soon.
I got my DDD date today.
Filed with HR Block 2/29 accepted 2/29 with DDD of 03/20/2024. Good luck everyone. Still waiting on my state of GA. Hopefully they update soon too.
@Pink: I have the same codes and the same dates. The IRS received my return on 2/29 I got my state tax back on that same day. I spoke with a rep she said there’s a notice being sent out but it’s just saying my return is being processed there’s no further action needed on my end. So I’m not sure. Still no update today.
@ShantayG: mine too
@Sdiego: From reading comments from others, I’m almost certain that some who received that 60 day notice, still managed to get a ddd. Could be wrong though. I’ve never experienced this before, although I’ve seen the frustration of others on this forum in past years. I’m a weekly so I guess it’s another week of waiting. Hopefully, as a daily you get some good news soon. 🤞
@Haleyw25: oops, I hit the report comment, instead of reply. I’m soo sorry if that does anything on your end…Anyways, I jst pray that it’s next week but I’m jst losing hope in this all together. This gives me anxiety. I have a daughter who is about to hv a baby and another who has a brain Injury. Irs picked the wrong time to hold people’s money.
Filed on 2/3
Have the 570 & 971 for 3/18 & 3/25 with no updates tday-
Spoke with my CPA and they have no idea what is going on- says my cycle code is 20240905…
Does anyone else have the codes?
@*Sigh*: I am in the same boat. However I think all these dates are irrelevant since we got the 60 day review for our returns.
Today turbo tax info for est. return now is blank
Has anyone dealt with the solar panel credit this year? Dealing with filing February 3rd. Accepted the same day. WMR updated to processing and tax topic 152 and one bar the following week. Has as of date of 3/4 and no movement. No codes and no changes since. Any insight? Thank you in advance!
IRS agent told wife that advocate couldn’t help because they didn’t see anything wrong with our return. Wife logs in her IRS account and transcripts for 2023 show N/A for her. Doesn’t make sense. We lost our car before Christmas and have 6 kids and desperately need this refund so we can get a vehicle.
Filed 2/1 accepted same day
EITC ACTC
WMR showed action required about id verify on mine not my wife’s. We verified in person on 2/28 said she released return for processing
I’d.me verified too on 3/8
5071c letter dated 2/28 got on 3/11 (already verified in person)
Transcripts for us show no returned filed so no updates
@Red Dawn: thank you .. I was hoping you updated too. Have you talked to the irs yet?
@JennyC: you should update next week. It can take 1 to 2 weeks. Mines took 2 weeks. It’s coming 846 for you next week
@BizarroWorld: I was told the same thing, I verified 3/1 received DD today . It normals takes 2 weeks . I’m not sure why are doing this. I have a IP PIN And same information as previous years.
@Sheila_33: I’m thankful for the date but does the check mail out on 3/22 ? I chose direct deposit so I’m not sure why it’s a check now . But I have been waiting so long since 1/30 🙏🏾🙌🏾
First off, congrats to those who got their ddd!
Now to vent…My as of date of 2/12 hasn’t changed in over 4 weeks. Processing date of 2/26. No movement whatsoever. No notice to ID verify. Just the 60 day wait letter received on the 4th for my 971 code. At least others have movement in their dates. Think mine got completely lost in this mess. Accepted on 1/24. Beyond frustrated.
So I FINALLY had some movement on my transcripts. I got all of my codes except my 846. My question is: if all four transcripts are complete, does that mean it is finished processing and I just need to wait on my refund date?
No significant update today. As of date finally moved from 3/4 to 4/1. Processing date is still 3/4. Hoping the as of moving means I’m back in processing
I’m so ready to spazz out smh….no changes, still 570 and 971. As of date didn’t budge — still 3/11, and processing date is 3/4. This is complete and utter BS at this point.
@BizarroWorld: I’ve honestly never had an issue with ID.me. I’ve had to use it for about 6 years now for other sites. The IRS just started to use it as an option during Covid. This is the first year it was mandatory. I would say they’re just really cracking down on identity issues. Tax return fraud is huge. I truly think the systems weren’t ready for the newly implemented verifications. I was told they also had planned to use updated systems this year.
@Sdiego: I have not changed for 4 weeks. My as of date didn’t update either 😏
@Darkphunky: same, no update. I called the IRS she said there’s a letter being sent but it’s just to let me know they are still processing my return. My as of date is 03/25/24 but the processing date is 03/18/24. Not sure what that means but I hope we get an update soon.
@Darkphunky: No update for me either 😢
Soooo…this verification thing is a recent change? And now it is going to ruin me? Sweet. Received the letter to verify online March 6. I was hoping they would speed things along. Why did the advocate say it could be 9 weeks? This feels like punishment for what? I read somewhere this had to do with the faulty ID.me website. Is that true?
Anyone else here not getting any updates as of today? This makes me sick. This is messing with my mental health.
@Red Dawn: same here, as of date updated to 04/01
Wow verified last Tuesday and still nothing on my transcripts. This has never happened to me before. 😔