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.
@TisTheSeasonOfTorture: WMR is always lagging behind. Your transcripts will have the latest updates.
@TisTheSeasonOfTorture: If there aren’t any changes showing up on any other year, the hold up most likely is on the 2023 return. Once the “as of date” has passed, the return needs to be put back in the cheque line by an IRS worker. You should keep an eye on your transcripts, hopefully it is back to processing soon. If not, you can try to get an advocate to see what is going on. Some people here have been having the same issue and unfortunately some returns are taking forever to be completed.
Question: My husband never filed for either of the stimulus payments back in 2020, 2021. He sadly passed away in the fall. He was intitled to the checks but never got around to filing for them. I did for myself and recently mine.
Can I still file to get his stimulus under his name? Any thoughts? Thank you.
@ShantayG: yes me. I verified 2 weeks ago too with 5071c letter.
@Amy19: Thank you for understanding what I was asking!🫠
@ShantayG: Not mines. It updated once. that’s it
@Pb1975: SS could take a while to update. Doesn’t have anything to do with IRS.
@Dj: my 60 days are up April 11th. Technically I haven’t received any letter other than the 4464C so we’ll see. Fingers crossed for something soon!!
@Amy19: I didn’t see anything like that and I looked back through to 2019.
@Amy19: does this apply if WMR states processing? My as of date is March 11th.
@Sheila_33 how often does the SSA update your earnings and is there a specific date. All of my transcripts are showing and processed. I’m stuck with the 570 dated 3/18 and the 971 dated 3/25. I haven’t received any notices and my as of is stuck at 3/25.
Is anyone else as of date keep getting pushed back with blank transcripts? The 28th would make 3 weeks since verifying in person.
So the letter I received the other day just said I needed to do more id verification through them which I’ve done already before receiving the letter so it’s not the letter I need to move forward I need the letter asking for documentation and proof of my return 😏
My 60 days from my 4464c letter will be up April 8 2024 this has been the longest tax year for me since 2020 it’s started processing on 3/4 even tho it had been 2 months since I filed 1/29 looking to see some movement this week because my transcripts are completed just waiting on the 846
What’s going on with my taxes Filed and accepted on 2/26 no 570 or 810 codes on transcripts no verification notification on irs account as of date was 3/18 changed on 3/23 to 4/8 any help would be greatly appreciated thanks
@Amy19: Thank you so much!
@Tater: If your “as of date” has come and gone, you need to be manually put back into the system to finish up your return. The “as of date” is a place holder, a reminder of the computer system to get your return processed. Once that date has passed, an IRS worker needs to work on your return and get it moving again. Check the last few returns and see if any dates have changed or new codes have been placed. Sometimes they are looking at a different year’s return. If not, they are looking at the 2023.
Can someone help me? My taxes were done on 2/29. My transcripts have not changed at all. 570 as of date 3/18. No letter or 971 code. Does anyone know what this means?
@Boogerbaby089: Your return is “stuck”, it might be in a review or just waiting to be manually put back into the system. Once the “as of date” has come and gone, it needs someone to put in back in line to get completed.
@TisTheSeasonOfTorture: Sometimes you will see a code like 971 on a previous year return. Look at 22, 21, 20. See if any as of dates have changed or if there’s any new codes. That’s what happened to me, the 2021 had a 2024 date and a 971 on it.
What does code 152 mean
@Not in a rush-but kinda: Thank you, let the counting begin!
@Boogerbaby089: Its just the date of the notice. You have 60-120 days for them to complete their review. Until then, unless you see an error on your return, you are waiting.
@Boogerbaby089: Nothing.
Good morning beautiful ppl! I have tried to rephrase my question differently for Google multiple times and can’t seem to find the answer I am looking for. As of March 18 which is when I received my cp05 letter online 971 and processing date is March 11 which is same date as 570, So what does it mean if both dates have lapsed?
@TisTheSeasonOfTorture: I am in the exact same situation smh..
@TisTheSeasonOfTorture: I am I’m the exact same situation smh..
@Sandra123: Nope. They release the funds on your DD date or late
Does anyone know if Chase releases the funds before the DDD?
@TisTheSeasonOfTorture: I haven’t called so I haven’t been told all the different time frames. But I am in the same boat with a 570, since beginning of feb, only the letter requesting 60 days received after Presidents’ Day. No 971, nothing indicating any actual specific issue. Just. Waiting. And I’m not patient
I think if your return is under review and to allow 60 days then I think the as of dates or processing dates don’t matter.