IRS e-file Refund Cycle Chart for 2021 with Direct Deposit dates
UPDATED DECEMBER 2020: IRS e-file Refund Cycle Chart for 2021 with Direct Deposit dates provided below are based on filing and transmitting as early as January 2, 2021. This will not be published by the IRS. They have not published their own version of this since the debacle of 2012 when thousands of refunds did not arrive according to that schedule. Instead, the IRS now just says most refunds will be issued within 21 days of your return being accepted. How is that for vague? This general timing doesn’t satisfy everyone and now many independent sites try to estimate dates when refunds will be sent. Keep in mind, they are all estimates telling you when you will get your refund.
The IRS e-file Refund Cycle Chart for 2021 with Direct Deposit and Check Dates that you will find are only estimates by various website owners. It might give you a good idea, but never bank on it because many issues arise and delay tax refunds. When will tax season open? Once we know the date tax season open, the estimated tax refund direct deposit dates will likely be updated.
Alternatively, If you are looking to find out what days the IRS Where’s My Refund (WMR) tool and IRS Transcripts update, we have the WMR and transcript cycles here.
Here are dates we expect to see tax refunds:
2021 IRS e-file Refund Cycle Chart (for tax year 2020)
| wdt_ID | Date Accepted | Direct Deposit Sent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jan 24 - Jan 30, 2021 | 02/12/2021 |
| 2 | Jan 31 - Feb 6, 2021 | 02/19/2021 |
| 3 | Feb 7 - Feb 13, 2021 | 02/26/2021 |
| 4 | Feb 14 - Feb 20, 2021 | 03/05/2021 |
| 5 | Feb 21 - Feb 27, 2021 | 03/12/2021 |
| 6 | Feb 28 - Mar 6, 2021 | 03/19/2021 |
| 7 | Mar 7 - Mar 13, 2021 | 03/26/2021 |
| 8 | Mar 14 - Mar 20, 2021 | 04/02/2021 |
| 9 | Mar 21 - Mar 27, 2021 | 04/09/2021 |
| 10 | Mar 28 - Apr 3, 2021 | 04/16/2021 |
As each year comes to a close and the next tax filing season approaches, early tax filers start to think and ask the big question. When will I get my tax refund? The estimated 2021 IRS Refund Cycle Chart can now be found at countless websites for the 2021 tax season. Be cautious though, the charts you find are not “official” and the dates when you should expect to receive your refund will not all be the same. Why? The official IRS Refund Cycle Chart published by the IRS is no more. Since they stopped publishing an official refund cycle chart, various independent versions are now created each year based on estimates and prior year trends.
There are slightly different versions of the tax refund schedules scattered across countless websites to help tax refund hunters track down that magic date. These refund cycle charts will crop up more and more as the year comes to a close. Most are just guesstimates, some even educated guesses. Many times the refund charts you find are just duplicates of the prior year with slightly adjusted dates.
There are various tax situations for every taxpayer and this is why prediction as to when you will get your tax refund can be difficult; and, every year there will be glitches with one process or another at the IRS which could delay your refund. Since an official IRS refund calendar is a thing of the past, when taxpayers can expect to receive their tax refund in 2021 remains a mystic idea. This is likely why the IRS now firmly sticks to a general statement to everyone that “your tax refund should arrive within 21 days”.
We stress to you that pre-spending those beloved refunds is playing with fire, wait for that direct deposit to hit in 2021! IGMR will post any estimated tax refund charts here that we find credible or to have plausible timeframes.
2020 IRS e-file Refund Cycle Chart (for tax year 2019)
| wdt_ID | Date Accepted | Direct Deposit Sent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jan 21 - Jan 25, 2020 | 02/07/2020 |
| 2 | Jan 26 - Feb 1, 2020 | 02/14/2020 |
| 3 | Feb 2 - Feb 8, 2020 | 02/21/2020 |
| 4 | Feb 9 - Feb 15, 2020 | 02/28/2020 |
| 5 | Feb 16 - Feb 22, 2020 | 03/06/2020 |
| 6 | Feb 23 - Feb 29, 2020 | 03/13/2020 |
| 7 | Mar 1 - Mar 7, 2020 | 03/20/2020 |
| 8 | Mar 8 - Mar 14, 2020 | 03/27/2020 |
| 9 | Mar 15 - Mar 21, 2020 | 04/03/2020 |
| 10 | Mar 22 - Mar 28, 2020 | 04/10/2020 |
2019 IRS e-file Refund Cycle Chart
| wdt_ID | Date Accepted | Direct Deposit Sent | Paper Check Mailed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jan 28 - Feb 2, 2019 | 02/15/2019 | 02/22/2019 |
| 2 | Feb 3 - Feb 9, 2019 | 02/22/2019 | 03/01/2019 |
| 3 | Feb 10 - Feb 16, 2019 | 03/01/2019 | 03/08/2019 |
| 4 | Feb 17 - Feb 23, 2019 | 03/08/2019 | 03/15/2019 |
| 5 | Feb 24 - Mar 2, 2019 | 03/15/2019 | 03/22/2019 |
| 6 | Mar 3 - Mar 9, 2019 | 03/22/2019 | 03/29/2019 |
| 7 | Mar 10 - Mar 16, 2019 | 03/29/2019 | 04/05/2019 |
| 8 | Mar 17 - Mar 23, 2019 | 04/05/2019 | 04/12/2019 |
| 9 | Mar 24 - Mar 30, 2019 | 04/12/2019 | 04/19/2019 |
| 10 | Mar 31 - Apr 6, 2019 | 04/19/2019 | 04/26/2019 |
2018 IRS e-file Refund Cycle Chart
| wdt_ID | Date Accepted | Direct Deposit Sent | Paper Check Mailed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jan 29 - Feb 4, 2018 | 02/17/2018 | 02/24/2018 |
| 2 | Feb 5 - Feb 11, 2018 | 02/24/2018 | 03/03/2018 |
| 3 | Feb 12 - Feb 18, 2018 | 03/03/2018 | 03/10/2018 |
| 4 | Feb 19 - Feb 25, 2018 | 03/10/2018 | 03/17/2018 |
| 5 | Feb 27 - Mar 4, 2018 | 03/17/2018 | 03/24/2018 |
| 6 | Mar 5 - Mar 11, 2018 | 03/24/2018 | 03/31/2018 |
| 7 | Mar 12 - Mar 18, 2018 | 03/31/2018 | 04/07/2018 |
| 8 | Mar 19 - Mar 25, 2018 | 04/07/2018 | 04/14/2018 |
| 9 | Mar 26 - Apr 1, 2018 | 04/14/2018 | 04/21/2018 |
| 10 | Apr 2 - Apr 8, 2018 | 04/21/2018 | 04/28/2018 |
2017 IRS e-file Refund Cycle Chart
| DATE ACCEPTED | DIRECT DEPOSIT SENT | PAPER CHECK MAILED |
| Jan 16 – Jan 22, 2017 | Feb 3, 2017 | Feb 8, 2017 |
| Jan 23 – Jan 29, 2017 | Feb 10, 2017 | Feb 15, 2017 |
| Jan 30 – Feb 5, 2017 | Feb 17, 2017 | Feb 22, 2017 |
| Feb 6 – 14, 2017 | Feb 24, 2017 | Mar 1, 2017 |
| Feb 13 – 19, 2017 | Mar 3, 2017 | Mar 8, 2017 |
| Feb 20 – 26, 2017 | Mar 10, 2017 | Mar 15, 2017 |
| Feb 27 – Mar 5, 2017 | Mar 17, 2017 | Mar 22, 2017 |
| Mar 6 – 12, 2017 | Mar 24, 2017 | Mar 29, 2017 |
| Mar 13 – 19, 2017 | Mar 31, 2017 | Apr 5, 2017 |
| Mar 20 – 26, 2017 | Apr 7, 2017 | Apr 12, 2017 |
| Mar 27 – Apr 2, 2017 | Apr 14, 2017 | Apr 19, 2017 |
| Apr 3 – Apr 9, 2017 | Apr 21, 2017 | Apr 26, 2017 |
| Apr 10 – Apr 16, 2017 | Apr 28, 2017 | May 3, 2017 |
| Apr 17 – Apr 23, 2017 | May 5, 2017 | May 10, 2017 |
| Apr 24 – Apr 30, 2017 | May 12, 2017 | May 17, 2017 |
2016 IRS e-file Refund Cycle Chart
| DATE ACCEPTED | DIRECT DEPOSIT SENT | PAPER CHECK MAILED |
| Jan 18 – Jan 24, 2016 | Feb 5, 2016 | Feb 10, 2016 |
| Jan 25 – Jan 31, 2016 | Feb 12, 2016 | Feb 17, 2016 |
| Feb 1 – Feb 7, 2016 | Feb 19, 2016 | Feb 24, 2016 |
| Feb 8 – 14, 2016 | Feb 26, 2016 | Mar 2, 2016 |
| Feb 15 – 21, 2016 | Mar 4, 2016 | Mar 9, 2016 |
| Feb 22 – 28, 2016 | Mar 11, 2016 | Mar 16, 2016 |
| Feb 29 – Mar 6, 2016 | Mar 18, 2016 | Mar 23, 2016 |
| Mar 7 – 13, 2016 | Mar 25, 2016 | Mar 30, 2016 |
| Mar 14 – 20, 2016 | Apr 1, 2016 | Apr 6, 2016 |
| Mar 21 – 27, 2016 | Apr 8, 2016 | Apr 13, 2016 |
| Mar 28 – Apr 3, 2016 | Apr 15, 2016 | Apr 20, 2016 |
| Apr 4 – Apr 10, 2016 | Apr 22, 2016 | Apr 27, 2016 |
| Apr 11 – Apr 17, 2016 | Apr 29, 2016 | May 4, 2016 |
| Apr 18 – Apr 24, 2016 | May 6, 2016 | May 11, 2016 |
| Apr 26 – May 1, 2016 | May 13, 2016 | May 18, 2016 |
2015 IRS e-file Refund Cycle Chart
| DATE ACCEPTED | DIRECT DEPOSIT SENT | PAPER CHECK MAILED |
| Jan 18 – Jan 24, 2015 | Feb 6, 2015 | Feb 9, 2015 |
| Jan 25 – Jan 31, 2015 | Feb 13, 2015 | Feb 16, 2015 |
| Feb 1 – Feb 7, 2015 | Feb 20, 2015 | Feb 23, 2015 |
| Feb 8 – 14, 2015 | Feb 27, 2015 | Mar 2, 2015 |
| Feb 15 – 21, 2015 | Mar 6, 2015 | Mar 13, 2015 |
| Feb 22 – 28, 2015 | Mar 13, 2015 | Mar 20, 2015 |
| Mar 1 – 7, 2015 | Mar 20, 2015 | Mar 27, 2015 |
| Mar 8 – 14, 2015 | Mar 27, 2015 | Apr 3, 2015 |
| Mar 15 – 21, 2015 | Apr 3, 2015 | Apr 10, 2015 |
| Mar 22 – 28, 2015 | Apr 10, 2015 | Apr 17, 2015 |
| Mar 29 – Apr 4, 2015 | Apr 17, 2015 | Apr 24, 2015 |
| Apr 5 – Apr 11, 2015 | Apr 24, 2015 | May 1, 2015 |
| Apr 12 – Apr 15, 2015 | May 1, 2015 | May 8, 2015 |
| Apr 16 – Apr 25, 2015 | May 8, 2015 | May 15, 2015 |
| Apr 26 – May 2, 2015 | May 15, 2015 | May 22, 2015 |
2014 IRS e-file Refund Cycle Chart
We have said goodbye to the former refund cycle chart in replacement of a standard “21 days” response from the IRS.
Remember this? The IRS Refund Cycle Chart was eliminated in 2012 and replaced with an IRS Information Guidelines for the Tax Preparation Community publication. We likely will not see a 2014 IRS e-file refund cycle chart and be forced to depend upon the data that the Where’s My Refund (WMR) tool decides to spit out. There are several sites that seem to have generated their own refund cycle chart based on assumption of processing schedules; but as we have learned, it’s hard to predict. Below are links to some of those sites and those predictions. Please remember, these are predictions and you should never rely upon such as definite availability of your tax refund. IRS e-file Refund Cycle Chart for 2014 with Direct Deposit and Check dates provided below are based on filing and transmitting as early as January 10, 2014 with some tax preparers, but with respect to IRS opening delay and it’s announcement here that it could begin ACCEPTING returns on January 28, 2014, but as late as February 4, 2014.
| TRANSMITTED & ACCEPTED | DIRECT DEPOSIT SENT | PAPER CHECK MAILED |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 28 and Feb 3, 2014 | Feb 13, 2014 | Feb 21, 2014 |
| Feb 4 and Feb 10, 2014 | Feb 21, 2014 | Feb 24, 2014 |
| Feb 11 and Feb 17, 2014 | Feb 28, 2014 | Mar 3, 2014 |
| Feb 18 and Feb 24, 2014 | Mar 7, 2014 | Mar 10, 2014 |
| Feb 25 and Mar 3, 2014 | Mar 14, 2014 | Mar 17, 2014 |
| Mar 4 and Mar 10, 2014 | Mar 21, 2014 | Mar 24, 2014 |
| Mar 11 and Mar 17, 2014 | Mar 28, 2014 | Mar 31, 2014 |
| Mar 18 and Mar 24, 2014 | Apr 4, 2014 | Apr 7, 2014 |
| Mar 25 and Mar 31, 2014 | Apr 11, 2014 | Apr 14, 2014 |
| Apr 1 and Apr 7, 2014 | Apr 18, 2014 | Apr 21, 2014 |
| Apr 8 and Apr 14, 2014 | Apr 25, 2014 | Apr 28, 2014 |
| Apr 15 and Apr 21, 2014 | May 2, 2014 | May 5, 2014 |
| Apr 22 and Apr 28, 2014 | May 9, 2014 | May 12, 2014 |
2013 IRS e-file Refund Cycle Chart
| ACCEPTED between | DIRECT DEPOSIT SENT | PAPER CHECK MAILED | ||
| January 1 | January 30, 2013 | 2/6/2013 | 2/8/2013 | |
| January 31 | and | February 6, 2013 | 2/13/2013 | 2/15/2013 |
| February 9 | and | February 15, 2013 | 2/20/2013 | 2/22/2013 |
| February 16 | and | February 20, 2013 | 2/27/2013 | 3/1/2013 |
| February 23 | and | February 27, 2013 | 3/6/2013 | 3/8/2013 |
| March 1 | and | March 6, 2013 | 3/13/2013 | 3/15/2013 |
| March 8 | and | March 13, 2013 | 3/20/2013 | 3/22/2013 |
| March 15 | and | March 20, 2013 | 3/27/2013 | 3/29/2013 |
| March 22 | and | March 27, 2013 | 4/3/2013 | 4/5/2013 |
| March 29 | and | April 3, 2013 | 4/10/2013 | 4/12/2013 |
| April 5 | and | April 10, 2013 | 4/17/2013 | 4/19/2013 |
| April 12 | and | April 17, 2013 | 4/24/2013 | 4/26/2013 |
| April 19 | and | April 24, 2013 | 5/1/2013 | 5/3/2013 |
| April 26 | and | May 1, 2013 | 5/8/2013 | 5/10/2013 |
| May 3 | and | May 8, 2013 | 5/15/2013 | 5/17/2013 |
| May 10 | and | May 15, 2013 | 5/22/2013 | 5/24/2013 |
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