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.
@Jacky_FL: Feb 5th
@LostNthesauce: f/a 2/5
@Mari: me either!!! This letter must be coming from iCloud cause there’s nothing on earth that even shows that it’s in motion just lies! I feel like after a month of waiting and you decide to call is when they just sent it out! If a letter coming from Austin tx why it’s taking a lifetime to deliver to okc! F/a 1/29/24 still stuck on 2/19/24
@Mari: If you want, call
800-830-5084
between 7-7 your time.
The recording on this phone number (letter 5071c) starts with ‘if you have received …. letter blabla
AND also states
That this number is for ppl who DO NOT have online access to their IRS account.
Ask for the status of your case – to hear if they sent you a letter in the mail
@Mari: me too 🙄
When were you accepted?
@Jacky_FL: no I don’t
@Haleyw25: I thought the same but my processing has changed twice this year as well as my as of date. So completely unsure what’s happening. My transcripts have all been filled since early February but my processing date changed from feb 22 to feb 28 then March 4. So I don’t know what anything means anymore 😂
@Journee24: I verified 3/5 – we waited long enough and I hope tomorrow the system will update everyone with the glorious DD-number 💰 🤞🏻
I just recieved a letter from the IRS. It’s says the same thing as my online account. Except up to 60 days to process.
@Jacky_FL: My did the same after i IDV on 3/7. it went from still being to is being 3/8/24 and i’ve being waiting since…
@Jenny7042: everyone has the return due date April 15th I believe that’s just the time you have to file your return. The process date I believe is the date they turn your return into the master file🤷🏼♀️
@Mari: Do you have access to your IRS online account?
@Jacky_FL: I haven’t received anything in the mail.
@Mari:
My WMR showed at first …..is *still* being processed.
After I verified it changed to …….is being processed.
My turbotax fees were paid. But my transcripts are still blank and under my maiden name. I hope I see some update this weekend on WMR. I HOPE we all see a change tomorrow and Sarurday.
Does anyone know if WMR shows another updates besides “still processing”. That’s only update I’ve received and it was 2 weeks ago. Thank you
@Jenny b: 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
@Mary: same thing for me as well. 570 code no update. No 971 code, but I got a 4464c letter. I filed on 1/22/24 and still no updates on my transcript. WMR says it’s still being processed smh… this is so awful.
What does it mean by return due date or return receive date April 15 and processing date April 01.
I need someone with the knowledge to enlighten me
@Jenny b: 🤞🏻
Anyone with solar credit that filed in February get their refund yet?
Yes me to im I’m in Philadelphia so damn confuse got code 766,768 806 with date 4/15/24 and 570 3/11/24 with 0.00 and 971 code date 3/18/24 got a letter but just saying that they were holding my refund no reason why never explained in the letter and on wmr just hasn’t moved since been received wth help me so damn confuse
Yall I can’t wait for tonight! I hope we all process with an 846! 🤞
@Kris123: Agree. They are paying astronomical amounts to agents who are snippy and catty when you call. I work in emergency healthcare and we get lied to constantly. But you can’t treat people poorly simply because you dont believe them. Thats not actually their job description.
What does it mean by return due date or return receive date April 15 and processing date April 01
I filled and was accepted on 1/29. About 2 weeks later I found out that I needed to verify and I had to wait for a letter. I finally verified on the phone last Thursday. Now this morning my wmr went from still being processed to being processed. I hope this is some kind of movement.
I filed and was accepted 1/29. About 2 weeks later I found out I needed to verify and I needed to wait for a letter. I finally verified on the phone last Thursday. Now this morning my wmr went from still being processed to being processed. I hope this is some kind of movement.
@Lady Ann: you should reach out to an tax payer advocate for your 2022 for sure they can help
I also have code 806 – 4/15/24
570 – 0 03/11/24 I also took money out of 401k and paid tax off top. Why is this taking so long?
@Kris123: he didn’t sound miserable. He sounded like he was following procedure. I worked there and honestly the assumption was 99% of people calling in were lying or making stuff up. If the system shows that your account has to wait 9 weeks, it won’t proceed for that particular account. Not all ID verifies are the same
I filed on 1/22/24, my refund was accepted the next day 1/23. I checked my transcript cycle 05 and there was a 570 code with no 971 code. I received a 4446C letter from the IRS stating they are holding my refund to verify accuracy of my return. I called the IRS to see if they needed additional information? They stated no I have to wait 120 day, but informed them that the letter states only 60 days smh… I’m in south Jersey.
@Denise N: the IRS is pretty much like a cheating ex… nothing ever adds up lol.
Once again if you can’t take the bs that comes with working for the IRS then find another job that will make you happier. all seriousness. I call simply to make sure my IDV went through (have the letter in hand) and all i get is “sir you have to give it 9 weeks before we can look into that to you” then as soon as i start to say that i know a few people that have been able to call just to double check it was complete, He keeps cutting me off saying “sir 9 weeks blah blah” i understand it is NOT easy working at the irs but lord a simple “yes it went through or no it didnt would have been alot easier