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.
We anticipate 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.

@Red Dawn: Good for you😀😀😀
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@Red Dawn: congrats!!!
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As of updated again overnight to July 1 2024, after updating yesterday to may27 2024. What is going on…..
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I just checked my transcripts and got a DD for 6/20!!! Finally 🙏🏼 Good luck to everyone waiting! 🙏🏼🫶🏽✨
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No changes here 😞
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@Jacky_FL: oh yea still waiting
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@Jacky_FL: oh yea still waiting
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@meow: I assume you are still waiting on your check to be delivered?
🙏🏼🤞🏼
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well as of date changed to 7/1 but nothing else.aghh
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Filed 1/18, accepted 1/19
ID verify
4464 review letter
CP05A letter 4/22
Sent docs 5/3
Case review opened 5/6
No movement until today, As Of date changed from 4/15 to 4/22
😑
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@Mary: thank you!! They said to call back on the 19th to make sure it’s been pushed out so I’m hoping so! Thank you!!
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@Eddleman23 It makes sense processing wise for the 18th so its possible you will update next week. Fingers crossed
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The last two years also updated to may27 2024 today, and the previous 5 years updated to feb26 2024. All happened today. I have no clue what is going on lol but I hope it means they’re working thru it finally
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@shelleybeanss: likewise nothing else changed
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@Mary: hey there I have a question so I filed injured spouse with my refund(for my husband) 2/12 accepted 2/14 and a week later a 570 code dated 3/11 and NO UPDATE since and I called the IRS today and they are saying my refund is done processing and just waiting for the 8 week period to end on the 18th of June. So does that mean it will be sent out then? In your opinion they just keep confusing me.. thanks in advance for your time.
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Well wiithin the last hour, my as of date updated to May27, from May6. No other update. Not sure what that means. Before when my as of date updated it updated to a future date
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@Louielou The transcripts update all thru the day, Check your transcripts again later on this evening my transcripts usually didnt update until around 4 or 5 pm
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No change again this week for me…
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I received a letter (CP21B) stating I was due a refund and that if I haven’t already received a check I should receive it in 2-3 weeks (letter dated June 10) but when I checked my transcript today still no 846… still 570 & 971. What should I expect to happen now? Im so confused someone help please!
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Another week no change
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136 days its unreal news station didnt even reply to me just like the irs for the land of the free i feel like a prisoner
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@Shelleybeansss: same here! NOTHING! 😭
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Another week of nothing :( I’m literally going to cry. Almost 5 months
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