Table of Contents
- IRS Refund Schedule for Direct Deposits and Check Refunds
- 2024 Tax Refund Dates (2023 Tax Year)
- Best Tax Software of 2024
- Important Tax Filing Dates and Refund Dates
- When Can I File My Tax Return?
- When Are Taxes Due?
- How Long Does it Take to Get My Tax Refund?
- Are There Any Expected Tax Refund Delays?
- How Should You Request to Receive Your Refund?
- Tax Refund Schedule for Extensions and Amended Tax Returns
- How to Check the Status of Your Tax Return
- How to Get a Larger Tax Refund Next Year
- Getting Tax Relief if You Owe Money
When Can I File My Tax Return? The 2024 tax season officially opens Jan. 29. You can begin filing your 2023 return through IRS Free File before this date, but the IRS will not process them until later in the month. Paper tax returns may face additional delays. More than 90% of electronically filed tax refunds are processed and issued within 21 days.
The IRS processes tax returns as it receives them. If you file your tax return electronically, the IRS will generally process direct deposit refunds within 7-10 days of receiving your tax return, and process paper checks within about two weeks. Filing a paper tax return may delay your refund by up to several weeks.
When Can I File My Tax Return? The 2024 tax season officially opened Jan. 29. More than 90% of tax refunds are processed and issued within 21 days.
In filing your federal tax return, you may have a few questions: How much tax will I pay? How much will I get back in my tax refund? When will I receive it?
There is no quick and easy answer to the first two questions. However, we can give you a rough idea of when you will receive your tax refund – but only if you file your federal taxes electronically using a software program or with the IRS e-File. Nine out of 10 taxpayers receive their tax refunds within 21 days when they file electronically.
Expect longer delays if you file your return on paper because it takes longer for the IRS to process your paperwork. The tax refund chart below offers more information on when to expect tax refunds.
IRS Refund Schedule for Direct Deposits and Check Refunds
The following tax refund table is based on previous refund tables released by the IRS to help taxpayers know when they should receive their tax refunds. The IRS moved to the Modernized e-File System (MEF) in 2013 (2012 tax year). The IRS only issued refunds once per week under the old system. They now issue refunds every business day, Monday through Friday (except holidays).
Due to changes in the IRS auditing system, they no longer release a full schedule as they did in previous years. The following chart is based on IRS statements, published guidelines, and estimates from past years. This IRS refund schedule should only be used as a rough guideline.
2024 Tax Refund Dates (2023 Tax Year)
Note: The IRS e-File open date is Jan. 29, 2024. The IRS will accept and process returns through April 15, 2024. Below is an estimated refund date chart based on information from the IRS.
| E-Filing Date | Direct Deposit Refund Schedule | Mailed Check Refund Schedule |
|---|---|---|
| January 29 | February 17 | February 24 |
| January 29 to February 4 | February 24 | March 3 |
| February 5 to February 11 | March 3 | March 10 |
| February 12 to February 18 | March 10 | March 17 |
| February 18 to February 25 | March 17 | March 24 |
| February 26 to March 4 | March 24 | March 31 |
| March 5 to March 11 | March 31 | April 7 |
| March 12 to March 18 | April 7 | April 14 |
| March 19 to March 25 | April 14 | April 21 |
| March 26 to April 1 | April 21 | April 28 |
| April 2 to April 8 | April 28 | May 5 |
| April 9 to April 15 | May 5 | May 12 |
| April 16 to April 22 | May 12 | May 19 |
| April 23 to April 29 | May 19 | May 26 |
| April 30 to May 6 | May 26 | June 3 |
| May 7 to May 13 | June 3 | June 10 |
| May 14 to May 20 | June 10 | June 17 |
How to Use the Tax Refund Chart
- Use the left-hand column to look up the date your tax return was accepted by the IRS
- Use the middle or right column to look up when you should receive your refund (depending on how you requested your refund – direct deposit or paper check).
- If you want a PDF copy, download the 2024 Tax Refund Schedule here.
If you filed your taxes with e-File, you should receive a confirmation that the IRS accepted your federal tax return. This date will go in the left column. If you didn’t file your taxes electronically, then this chart may not be useful for you for two reasons: you won’t have a confirmation date regarding when your tax return was accepted, and paper tax returns are manually entered by IRS employees, so the process takes longer.
You will also note that this chart covers dates beyond the traditional filing date. If you plan to file after April 15, 2024, you should file a tax extension request. It’s simple to do and can potentially save you a lot of money in penalties.
Note: Military members deployed during the tax year may be eligible for additional tax deadline extensions.
When Will I Get My Tax Refund?
Keep in mind that it may take a few days for your financial institution to make your deposit available to you or several days for the check to arrive in the mail. Keep this in mind when planning to use your tax refund.
The IRS states to allow five additional days for the funds to become available to you. In almost all cases, a direct deposit will get you your tax refund faster than in five days, and in some cases, it will be available immediately.
Best Tax Software of 2024
Still need to file your tax return? Check out some of the best online tax software programs of 2024 below.
Rather file your taxes in-person? H&R Block is offering an exclusive $25-off discount for readers of The Military Wallet.
Important Tax Filing Dates and Refund Dates
When Can I File My Tax Return?
The first official day to file your 2023 tax return is Jan. 29, 2024. However, many tax software programs will allow you to complete your return and “file” it before that date, including IRS Free File, which is currently open for the 2024 tax filing season.
Some taxpayers who submit their electronic tax returns early may be able to participate in the IRS HUB Testing program. This is a controlled testing of the federal tax return system. The IRS processes a small percentage of tax returns from major software providers to test the tax return submission process and allow for fixing bugs before opening the doors to all taxpayers.
When Are Taxes Due?
The tax filing deadline for most individuals and businesses for the 2023 tax year is April 15, 2024.*
April 15 is the tax deadline for most years unless it falls on a weekend or an observed holiday. April 16th is the observed holiday for Emancipation Day in Washington DC, which may impact the tax-filing deadline in some years.
* Note: Because Maine and Massachusetts celebrate Patriots Day on April 18, the tax filing deadline for residents may be extended.
You can file a tax extension before April 15 if you are not ready to file your taxes by the deadline. This year, the extended tax deadline is Oct. 15; however, any federal income tax payments are due by the original tax filing deadline. It is recommended to make an estimated tax payment before the tax deadline if you believe you will owe federal taxes.
How Long Does it Take to Get My Tax Refund?
Approximately 90% of taxpayers will receive their refunds in less than 21 days from the day the IRS accepts their tax returns. Most people receive their refunds in an average of 10-14 days.
Your bank will usually make your payment available within one to three days of receiving the payment from the IRS. Checks may take longer to clear your bank.
Are There Any Expected Tax Refund Delays?
Yes, tax refund delays are common. The IRS is required by federal law to withhold tax refunds for taxpayers who claim Earned Income Tax Credits and Additional Child Tax Credit until mid-February. Affected taxpayers can generally expect to receive their refunds by Feb. 27, 2024, with some seeing their refunds on Feb. 17 at the earliest.
Keep in mind that receiving your refund can still take a week after the IRS releases it. So some people who file early may experience delays while awaiting their refunds. Refunds should be processed normally after this date.
Also note that new identity theft protections and anti-fraud measures may hold up some refunds, as some federal tax returns may be held for further review.
How Should You Request to Receive Your Refund?
The IRS gives you three options for receiving your refund:
- Direct deposit (you can split your refund and have it sent to up to three banks)
- Paper check (sent to your home)
- Deposit into U.S. Savings Bonds
You can also apply a refund to any future taxes owed. This is a popular choice among some small business owners who are required to pay estimated taxes.
Of the three refund options available to you, direct deposit is the fastest and safest option. You can receive your refund via an ACH bank transaction in as little as a few days. Paper checks, however, can take over a week to process, several days to travel via the postal system, and several days to clear your bank.
*Note: Some tax software companies also offer the option of receiving a tax refund on a prepaid debit card. I’m not particularly fond of this option, but it is available to some tax filers. In this case, the refund is first sent to the tax preparation company. Then they issue you the prepaid debit card.
Tax Refund Schedule for Extensions and Amended Tax Returns
The refund schedule should be the same if you filed for a tax extension; however, there is no official schedule for tax refunds for amended tax returns. The above list only includes dates for e-filing an original tax return.
Amended tax returns are processed manually and often take 8-12 weeks to process. If you do not receive an amended tax return refund within eight weeks of filing it, you should contact the IRS to check the status.
How to Check the Status of Your Tax Return
You should be able to check the IRS tax refund status roughly 24 hours after you receive confirmation from the IRS that they have received your tax refund via e-File. You will need to wait at least four weeks if you mail in your tax return.
The best way to check the status of your federal tax refund is to visit the Where’s My Refund page at the IRS website.
What you will need:
- Social Security number
- Filing Status
- Exact refund amount
You can also call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 (for individuals) or 1-800-829-4933 (for businesses) to inquire about your tax return status with an IRS customer service representative or call 1-800-829-4477 to reach the 24-hour toll-free service providing tax help from the IRS.
Note that the IRS only updates tax return statuses once a day during the week, usually between midnight and 6 a.m. They do not update the status more than once a day, so checking throughout the day will not give you a different result.
Should I Call the IRS to Check My Federal Tax Refund Status?
The IRS has stated you should only call them if it has been:
- 21 days or more since you e-filed
- Six weeks or more since you mailed your return, or when
- “Where’s My Refund” tells you to contact the IRS
How to Get a Larger Tax Refund Next Year
If you want a bigger tax refund next year, then there are a few ways you can increase the amount of money the government will give you as a tax refund. One of the easiest ways is by contributing to a tax-deferred retirement plan such as a 401(k), the Thrift Savings Plan, or by opening a Traditional IRA, which may entitle you to a yearly tax credit based on your annual contributions. IRA contributions are currently limited to $7,000 for 2024, or up to $8,000 if you are age 50 or older. You can open an IRA in a variety of locations, including banks, brokerage firms, independent advisors, and more.
Getting Tax Relief if You Owe Money
If you go through the tax filing process and come out owing the government money, there are options for getting tax relief. You can negotiate directly with the IRS and state revenue agencies or hire a tax relief company to negotiate on your behalf.
If you owe less than $10,000 and your case is not complicated, you may be better off dealing directly with the IRS. Otherwise, tax relief experts such as tax attorneys and enrolled agents can save you time and improve your chances of negotiating generous terms on your tax settlement.
Some of the top companies to help with getting relief for taxes owed are:
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Jen 9ine says
the irs accepted my return Feb 2nd and today marks 21 days the where my refund status says they are sorry but it’s taking them longer when should I expect my refund
Clinton says
ty for this stuff that I can understand it better. I learned a lot by reading them in person so once again ty
Cassandra says
My return was accepted by the IRS on 1-31-2022. I filed electronically. Here it is 8-31-2022 and STILL NO REFUND! This is absolutely ridiculous!
De Venn says
I filed January 25 and still waiting its been 5 weeks today. I did everything electronic and set up direct deposit.