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Where’s My Refund? – Tax Updates & Resources for Taxpayers

IRS Where’s My Refund? Tax News and Information! Here you’ll find the best tax tips, helpful tax information, and incredibly useful tools!

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Where’s My Refund? Tax Refund Updates

When can I file my 2023 tax return?

While the IRS officially begins approving 2023 tax returns on January 29, 2024, numerous tax software programs enable you to complete and “file” your return as early as January 2, 2024. Subsequently, these tax programs and software will securely hold your returns until the IRS initiates the acceptance process.

When are 2023 taxes due?

The deadline to submit your 2023 tax return and settle your tax bill is ‪Monday, April 15, 2024.‬ Need more time? You can file for an extension, but remember, filing sooner means getting your tax refund sooner.

How long does it take to process a tax return?

While most federal tax returns are typically processed within 21 days, some may take longer. For the quickest refund, submit your return electronically with direct deposit. If you opted for a paper submission and anticipate a refund, please be aware that processing times may extend to 6 months or more.

How long does it take to receive my tax refund?

After the IRS receives your tax refund, the timing of its arrival can be influenced by various factors. While most refunds are issued within 21 days, it’s essential to note that specific dates cannot be guaranteed. This is especially crucial for those planning purchases or paying bills. Some returns may undergo further review, leading to extended processing times. The IRS may conduct additional scrutiny if potential errors, missing information, forms, or suspicions of tax fraud or identity theft arise. Your patience is appreciated during this processing period.

Some tax returns could take longer to process than others for many reasons, including when a return:

  • Is filed on paper
  • Includes errors, such as incorrect Recovery Rebate Credit
  • Is incomplete
  • Needs further review in general
  • Is affected by identity theft or fraud
  • Includes a claim filed for an Earned Income Tax Credit or an Additional Child Tax Credit.
  • Includes a Form 8379, Injured Spouse Allocation, which could take up to 14 weeks to process

Are there any expected tax refund delays?

Yes. The IRS is required to hold tax refunds for taxpayers who claim Earned Income Tax Credits and Additional Child Tax credits until at least Feb. 15, 2024. Please keep in mind it can still take a week to receive a refund after the IRS releases it. So some people who file early may experience delays while awaiting their refund. Refunds should be processed normally after this date. Also, new identity theft protection and anti-fraud measures may hold up some refunds, as some tax returns may be held for further review.

Where's My Refund? Frequently Asked Question's
When you could expect a tax refund

2024 IRS E-File Schedule for Direct Deposit and Check Refund Dates

In previous years, the IRS would publish a refund cycle chart showing when a particular tax return would be deposited into a taxpayer’s bank account if they elected Direct Deposit of their refund. This was true if the return was electronically filed and a refund was due to the taxpayer.  However, as a result of numerous fraud issues that have plagued the IRS community over the recent past, they have discontinued the use of this “Refund Cycle” chart, and Publication 2043 has been revised.

Check out our 2024 Tax Refund Schedule for an Estimated Direct Deposit Date Here!

Publication 2043 “IRS E-file Refund Cycle Chart” has been renamed “IRS Refund Information Guidelines for the Tax Preparation Community.” The new Publication 2043 is no longer a chart showing the refund cycle time frames. Instead, it provides guidance for taxpayers to check on their refunds. Taxpayers can also go on the IRS website and search “Where’s My Refund” to find information.

IRS tax refund information guidelines

*RETURNS THAT CLAIM EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT OR ADDITIONAL CHILD TAX CREDIT MUST BE HELD UNTIL FEB. 15, AND IRS ANTICIPATES REFUNDS WON’T BE DIRECTLY DEPOSITED INTO SOME TAXPAYERS ACCOUNTS UNTIL THE FIRST WEEK OF MARCH.

It’s crucial to emphasize that the IRS explicitly advises against basing financial plans on an anticipated refund date. No tax schedule, regardless of the source, can provide a guaranteed date for your refund. While estimates can aid in your planning, it’s wise to maintain flexibility, allowing for unforeseen circumstances during the tax season.

2024 Tax Filing Season Important Dates & Deadlines

The table below shows the 2024 deadlines for filing 2023 tax returns and requesting extensions. An important point to note is that while you can file your taxes anytime after the beginning of the year, the IRS will not process any returns (paper or electronic) until IRS e-File goes live.

2024 Tax Important Dates & Deadlines Tax Related Activity
January 2, 2024 The first day to file a 2023 tax return, though the IRS generally will not accept e-file and free file returns until the date below. Even paper-based filings won’t be processed until later in the month
January 12, 2024 IRS Free File Goes Live, Taxpayers can begin filing returns through IRS Free File partners; tax returns will be transmitted to the IRS starting January xx. Tax software companies also are accepting tax filings in advance.
January 29, 2024 IRS E-file Goes Live, allowing submission of electronic tax returns for the vast majority of tax filers. Paper tax returns will begin processing from this date as well
January 31, 2024 Date by which you should have received a W-2, 1099-B, 1099-S, and 1099-MISC form from employers you worked for during the tax year. If not, contact their HR/Payroll department to resend tax documents
February 15, 2024 By law, the IRS cannot issue tax refunds that include Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC) before February 15
February 17, 2024 PATH ACT Message will lift for EITC and ACTC-related tax refunds.
February 17, 2024 The first day Where's My Refund? ‎on IRS.gov and the IRS2Go mobile app will be updated for the vast majority of early filers who claimed the Earned Income Tax Credit or the Additional Child Tax Credit. Before Feb. 15, some taxpayers may see a projected date or a message that the IRS is processing their return. Taxpayers will not see a refund date on Where's My Refund? ‎or through their software packages until then.
March 2, 2024 The IRS expects the earliest EITC/ACTC related refunds to actually be available in taxpayer bank accounts or on debit cards starting the first week of March if there are no processing issues with the tax return and the taxpayer chose a direct deposit.
April 15, 2024 Deadline for filing state income tax returns (for most states) and extension requests
April 15, 2024 Tax Day* Last day for filing federal income tax returns and extension requests.
October 15, 2024 Deadline to file your extended 2023 federal and state income returns. Note: you still need to file an extension request by April 15th
April 15, 2027 Filing a 2023 tax amendment. You can file an amended or previous year's return anytime, but you have a deadline of 3 years from the original due date to claim any tax refund.

IRS Opening Day

Year Weekday Date
2024 Monday Jan 29
2023 Monday Jan 23
2022 Monday Jan 24
2021 Friday Feb 12
2020 Monday Jan 27
2019 Monday Jan 28
2018 Monday Jan 29
2017 Monday Jan 23
2016 Tuesday Jan 19
2015 Tuesday Jan 20
2014 Friday Jan 31
2013 Wednesday Jan 30

Future Tax Day Observances

Year Weekday Date
2023 Tuesday April 18
2024 Monday April 15
2025 Tuesday April 15
2026 Wednesday April 15
2027 Thursday April 15
2028 Tuesday April 18
2029 Tuesday April 17
2030 Monday April 18


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