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.
@Harry a: i tried to get ahold of the news here but never got any reply
This Friday will be 60days base off my 4464C letter. TA be prepare for my phone call.
@Harry a: fingers crossed and prayers for all of us. The struggle is getting really real and it’s so unnecessary 😔 I hope they move faster than the time frame they gave you but our time is around the corner!
@TisTheSeasonOfTorture: your a little bit before me but same situation i sent email to congress office this should be brought up in Washington but they are slower than the irs
@JustWaiting24: it’s literally re-damn-diculous to send letters stating no action required yet hold us up over simple documents. I agree with @Harry A, why is this not news.
On the bright side, you’re done and can catch the Memorial Day sales 😊 I’m hoping to have mine by Father’s Day so I can at least do something nice for my fiancé for holding us down and dealing with my stressed out self. CONGRATULATIONS 🎉
@JustWaiting24: thank you for sharing your experience and time line! I am about a week behind you with submitting documents to TA so this is giving me hope. Realistically, I know everyone moves at different speeds, everyone’s situation is different. I’ve been researching this 570 and 4464C letter since February (basically same as CP05) and I haven’t seen anyone’s time line until today.
*Never had contact with advocate* never answered any calls never returned vm there were plenty calls
*Congress aide never reached out to me I initiated each interaction there were plenty emails
*I called IRS multiple times no information 120 days verbiage
*ALL THIS COULD BE AVOIDED IF THE IRS WOULD JUST TELL PEOPLE FROM THE START WHAT THEY ARE MISSING*
* 4 months and they only needed a bank statement
*I am not going to tell anyone here to be patient it’s coming because that is bs they are literally taking their time and it should not even be legal to play with people like this.
—-Any questions I can stick around to give my experience.
F/A 01/29; EIC/CTC;
Feb 16th;Delayed refund
03/04;570-additional
03/11;971-notice issued (Cp05)(no info needed)
03/20;contact congress
03/26;tax advocate assigned (case opened)
05/08;congress says advocate is saying IRS needs proof of 401k withdrawal deposit says 1099r missing withholding weird because my 1099r showed taxes I guess retirement company didn’t report the taxes (bank statement)
05/20;571 (06-10-24)-resolved addtl acct issue
846-refund issued (05-24-24)
Why is this not on the news????
Day 111 no changes email from congressman yesterday we have sent your papers to tas it will be 45-60 days before someone is assigned your case, what a bunch of bull
Nothing for me. I give up
@Ughhh: Nope. F/A 1/24, 571 as of date 5/20…which came and went yesterday.
Beyond words at this point.@Ughhh:
Anyone update overnight?
@TisTheSeasonOfTorture
No codes, no letters, no ID verify. Filed 2/12/24 waited, got a referral in mid April. Finally got fed up and started to contact IRS myself by requesting a transcript, contacted local congressman for help – had refund 10 days later.
Tomorrow will be 4 months since I filed….
I never got my refund yet
My date for the 571 code is today. Hopefully good news this week 🙏🏼
The issue was my browser. No change’s anyhow.
Today is my as of and no changes yet.😩
@Harry a: I’m not able to view it. I click on the link and it won’t open.
@TisTheSeasonOfTorture: Go on irs site front page under records then view tax records they just changed the site but did nothing else
All i can say is 110 days
@IndyEllen9: I have questions. When did you file? What codes and letters or notices did you receive, if any? How long after you heard from the TA was your refund approved?
THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN WAITING OVER 60 DAYS –
1) Request your transcript via online and mail – attach a note stating you need your taxes completed ASAP for income verification purposes
2) Contact your local congressman or woman to get them to help you
I did all of the above and my refund is finally on its way!
Good luck to you all. I got fed up of just calling and being given excuses and simply waiting – I took action and it helped my situation.
Anyone update yet?
Anyone update yet?
The irs can update the website but not transcripts? If someone figures out how to view the transcript let me know.
@Trice: yes mine changed to that about a month an a half ago and still stuck with a 570 code dated 3/11 with no movement and no refund .. I got excited thinking it would come soon. But maybe you’re situation will be different than mine lol
day 109 same old thing
@Trice: happens every Sunday. Usually around midday it goes back
Hey! My total amount owed is now showing a 0.00 balance on the its account main screen but still no 846 code. Transcripts still stuck on the 540 code… anybody experience this and got their refund soon after????? Filed back in Feb and still nothing.
@soso: Sell your used/unwanted items on Offer Up! Make sure to meet them at the police station and take someone with you!
Good luck and we’re all playing the waiting game. Ughhhhh!😭😭😭
I just feel.. Ugh!! filed 02/29 and this is raking forever. i have done everything needed to be done. single mom of 2 and i was counting on that money. i gave depleted my savings. it’s embarrassing i don’t even have a dollar to my name. i just pray the IRS pulls it together.
My congressman is now working on it with an advocate got email yesterday
No changes to transcript
@Boogerbaby089: I guess so but it still sucks
day 108 60 day letter is up
got a 420 code on 2022 transcipt on the 3/15 and no movement on my 2023 taxes does that 420 code from 2022 will delay me from getting my refund for 2023 filed 2/9
@Red Dawn: Same here however i am kinda disappointed in how this whole system(IRS) functions. It is appalling.
@TisTheSeasonOfTorture: I updated on a Saturday this year. So anything is possible
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