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.
@Jennyb: A 570 is a hold of the return for some reason. This link better explains it:
https://igotmyrefund.com/irs-transaction-code-570-and-delayed-tax-refunds/
No changes. Same dates. I am predicting that I should get my refund mid May.
Received notice I needed to ID verify which I did on 3/6 received message saying congratulations then a few days later says cannot provide assistance via Id verification tool. Did it not go through? WMR back to saying not processed and action needed transcripts shows as of 2/26 please help!!
@Haleyw25: The refund is released when the 846 is placed, all depends on when your bank releases it or if you have fees taken out from a third party bank for an advance or filing fees.
@TisTheSeasonOfTorture: 05s usually update on transcripts on Fridays and Wmr on Saturday. Daily 01’s will update on transcripts tomorrow or Monday possibly.
@ShantayG: Could be a notice acknowledging you accessed your transcripts or possibly a delay letter in reference to the 570.
Omg I finally updated all transcripts are filled but I have a 570 and no 846 yet? What is the 570?
@Haleyw25: No idea but I’m thinking anytime between now and then!!! 👍👍🤞🤞✋‼️‼️
Informed Delivery shows a letter coming to me from IRS Kansas City. My transcripts doesn’t show a notice was issue. Idk if I should be worried now especially since I’m finally able to see action on my transcripts.
@WildCardTaxYear: same here!! Are they sending it out that day or is that when we are supposed to receive it?
@LG: same here amened 2nd bar transcript says refund issued 03/29/2024 NOTHING today,
Been stuck on 570 and 971 for 3/4, and as of date of 2/12 and processing date of 2/26 since before 2/12. Amended return to add a forgotten w2 for less than $500 on 3/24. Finally saw a little movement. Amendment acknowledged on transcripts and as of date changed from 2/12 to 4/15. Not sure if I should be happy or wary.
@Que Que: All my boxes are filled in except the wages for 2023.
@ShantayG: same I IDV on 2/26 the only thing changed was my as of dated pushed back from 2/12 to 3/18 then 2 weeks ago pushed back to 4/1, this morning I finally saw some info on my transcript but with a 570 code with an as of date pushed back to 4/15, top 2 transcripts still showing n/a
@Ro: insane. With no letter at all maybe a call can give some insight. I’ve dreaded and put off calling 😂 since my letter said they needed 60 days from the date of the letter.
Is 05 supposed to update Friday into Saturday as well?
@WildCardTaxYear: meant 4/3!!!! Too early in the morning sorry!!!!
570, 971, 571, and CP05 letter resolved itself!!!!!!🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌Got 846 for 3/4!!!!!! Hope everyone updated too!!!!!!! Never filing early again💯💯💯💯
Today made 3 weeks since iD verify. Transcripts finally showing information but got a 570 code 🤦🏾♀️
@Shelleybeansss: It has been there since the end of February. No changes, updates, or letters since then.
@Ro: if the 570 just appeared you’ll likely receive a notice in the mail explaining what they’re looking at. My 570 popped up beginning of feb and a 4464c explaining it arrived the last week of feb. Mine is still sitting there. But my 60 days on the letter aren’t quite up yet
846 refund issued 🥰. It says a date 4/3/24 when do they normally send out?
I have 570 with a date of 3/18 and my wage transcript is blank. Should I call the irs? I am an 05.
@LostNthesauce: it updates all day
Just checked my transcripts of course 2023 not filled out. ID verified on the 22nd of march. Wmr still says “your tax return is still being processed”. Weekly update still stuck 2/19/24. F/a 1/29!
@MzB881: Have you checked the top right account transcript to see if there’s an 846? And if not, what are the codes showing as of now?