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 began accepting tax returns this year on January 29, 2024.
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.
Good luck to those who are desperaly waiting.
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Was Hard I efile since january and got like 7 letters between the Last 2 letters on 8/23/24. I went thru income verify, identity verification and an issue from 2021 the needed to be resolved cause they were trying to charge me 4400. I got a tax advocate on june and two weeks ago, her manager send the referral to IRS and told me to give at least 2 weeks.
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Hey everyone, did everyone leave this website or What. Well my transcript update thursday to friday Last week 08/23/24 @nd one bar. Saturday went to the second. I truly believe IRS sent the money days before. Upon checking my serve card, the deposit hit exactly at 4:49pm Mountain time, republictax site still not showing any balance other than the fees they took from my state back on april.
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@Waitingonmines2: hang in there.i should have had my refund in early february but finally got it july1st
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@MzB81: I got DDD 08/28 just today
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Anyone with DDD 08/28/2024?
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Hope everyone is hearing good news. My back still against the wall only thang happened for me is as of changed from July 15 to Sept 9 whatever that means…
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Who is still on the first bar on WMR??
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And even though he told me within 3 weeks, my transcript has not updated once since I amended February 22nd. I’m so stressed about it. I accidentally thought out loud, while on the phone with the irs minion, and said “I’m so F***ING stressed!” and he told me, “strike one, 2 more strikes and you’re out for the profanity!” LOL. Poor guy, I wasn’t even cussing at him, was just so stressed and upset.. it’s not his fault.
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So I amended my return February 22nd, (26 weeks ago) and yesterday I finally got to verify my identity! Now I’m just hoping the IRS minion is right and it deposits in my account in the next 3 weeks. Has anyone ever had problems after verifying their identity, with not getting their refund in the time frame you were told? I’m struggling so bad, and I just know with my luck, it won’t be here within 3 weeks. :(
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Welp, just woke up intentionally to check transcript. And Guess What ?I HAVE A DDD FOR 8/28. OMG thank goodness.
I’m wondering because I had to amend is it gonna be DIRECT DEPOSITED still. No fees taken out?
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Good Afternoon Everyone. It has been a long minute since I have posted. But I have a question, TAX ADVOCATE SERVICE, stated my file was closed on 8/19 and there’s something pending to master file which can take 2-3 weeks. Do you guys think it would update overnight tonight with a DDD date or next week?
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I give up for this years taxes 🙌
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@Goodluck: I hope you are correct thank you we NEED it lol
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@Eddleman23: No worries! You should have your check in 2 weeks or less.
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They have to reissue my check could take another 30 days 😭😭😭 after already waiting almost 7 months… ughh
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Ugh 😑 I hate the placement of that report button. My tired fingers always hit it at least once when I’m here.
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@shelleybeanss: Thank you!
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@Wheresmy$: congrats!!! 🎊
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@Wheresmy$: filed May 4th electronic & still waiting
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Finally updated!! 8 months of waiting 846 for 8-23-2024!!! $240 in interest!!! Good luck all who are still waiting!
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@AnnMariee: No updates on my transcripts
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Has anyone received any updates today?
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Did anyone receive good news today??
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@Mary: my tax advocate said since the 2nd was a Friday it didn’t go out till the 5th in the actual mail. And yeah they said if I don’t get it by Monday they are going to have me fill out a form for a reissue of the check….. apparently there is no tracking number 😕
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@Eddleman23 Checks are only mailed on Fridays. So where did you get the 5th date? It usually doesnt take more than 3 days to receive it.
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@Ryan in Atlanta: sign up for usps informed delivery
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@Ryan in Atlanta: Call the irs, but if you have a text advocate, call your tax advocate, that’s what I did.
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Finally one bar on wheres my refund but tax advocate stated it could be October 2024 before I receive it horrible asked for congress help no refund asked for help from taxes advocate no help or refund fingers crossed
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@Amy19: I’ve also been waiting all year and have been assigned an advocate since June and have reached out to my congressman multiple times and still nothing. So that’s not necessarily going to do anything.
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How do you find out if your check has been mailed?
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@Carlos: Go back and read Harrya’s updates. He was also waiting all year. He tried an advocate without any movement but finally got his refund once he got his congress rep involved. You might need to do the same thing. Hopefully you get your refund soon but you will need to push for help and answers. It seems that the IRS does not care to speed anything up without being forced to these days.
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@VAMom: my check was mailed 8/5 and still no sign of it I hope yours comes faster than mine.
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@…: Check mailed 08/13/2024 from Republic Bank instead of direct deposit. I’d paid my fees a month ago, amount of full refund mailed. Hoping to see it tomorrow 🤞
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@Harrya- Congratulations! I have been checking in on and off to see if you had any changes. Wow, what a horrible ordeal, am glad it is finally over. Did you ever find out what the real problem was? Was it the paystubs that your congress rep had you send in? Any explanation why the IRS didn’t keep you informed? Just checking in case someone else ends up with the same time frame and has questions.
Congrats again!
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@VAMom: did you get your money
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Refund saying sent to republic bank for fees to be taken on 8/14. But republic site saying they haven’t received from IRS. Anybody else had this issue
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Filed in January, simple return with the same job and children for the last 15 years.
No update for me!😓😓
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How do i find my cycle code?
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Well on business day 8 and no check… anyone dealt with this?
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