Updated for the 2019 Tax Year (2020 Tax Season)

One of the most pressing questions in the life of an early tax filer – when can I expect my tax refund to come? Before e-filing, this was always difficult to predict. First, you mail in your return. Then someone inputs all your information (and later, computers scanned in your information), then the Treasury had to issue a check, which was then mailed to you. Now, with a free IRS e-file, you can get your refund in as little as 8 days from when you file, if you elect for direct deposit. For 9 out of 10 taxpayers, the IRS issued refunds in less than 21 days from the date the return was received last year. The IRS announced they will open eFile processing on January 27, 2020. However, many tax programs do allow you to file early - and some lucky filers even get accepted into test batches with the IRS. If you're thinking of filing early, H&R Block is our top pick. They are consistently the best priced full service tax service both online and offline. Check out H&R Block Online here >> 2020 Tax Deadline: Wednesday, July 15, 2020. (Note: This deadline HAS changed due to the Coronavirus pandemic).

The IRS does not release a calendar, but continues to issue guidance that most filers should receive their refund within 21 days. They also remind filers that many tax software programs allow you to submit your taxes before the start of tax season. However, these software programs don't eFile until the IRS opens the system (with a few minor exceptions for testing). Also, you are legally allowed to mail in your 2019 tax return starting on January 1, 2020. However, if you mail in your return, you can expect to add 6-8 weeks to your processing time (at the low end). Make sure you understand all the tax deadlines here. We also have put together an IRS Where's My Refund FAQ and Questions for common issues people are seeing this year.

Coronavirus Pandemic Delays And Date Changes President Trump declared a national state of emergency due to the coronavirus pandemic. The IRS has issued guidance that the tax deadline will move to July 15, 2020. Don't miss this tax deadline. Second, we due expect this pandemic to cause serious delays in processing returns (and getting help from the IRS) in the coming weeks. As IRS workers are quarantined or asked to work from home, it will cause delays for tax filers. If you've already filed your return, our assumption is there will be delays in processing times. If your return is under review or other information is needed, you may experience significant delays due to staffing.

Early Filers - You Will See A Delay In Your Refund Congress passed a law last year that requires the IRS to HOLD all tax refunds that include the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC) until February 15, 2020, regardless of how early the tax return was filed. So, if you file on the first day, you might still be waiting until February 15 for your refund. The IRS tweeted this year that people held up by this delay should expect WMR to update on February 22 with direct deposit dates, assuming there are no other problems with the tax returns. We expect the actual direct deposits to arrive the last week of February, similar to previous years. The goal of this is to cut down on fraud and give the IRS time to ensure no duplicate returns are filed. The trouble is, the IRS will hold your entire tax refund, not just the EITC or ACTC part. When you get your refund, don't let it go to waste! Make sure you put it in a high yield savings account ASAP!

2020 IRS Refund Schedule Chart Here is a chart of when you can expect your tax refund for when the return was accepted (based on e-Filing). This is an estimate based on past years trends, but based on early information, does seem accurate for about 90% of taxpayers. Also, as always, you can use the link after the calendar to get your specific refund status. Now, when to expect my tax refund!

2020 IRS Tax Refund Calendar Date Accepted Direct Deposit Sent Paper Check Mailed Jan 27 - Feb 1, 2020 Feb 14, 2020 Feb 21, 2020 Feb 2 - Feb 8, 2020 Feb 21, 2020 Feb 28, 2020 Feb 9 - Feb 15, 2020 Feb 28, 2020 Mar 6, 2020 Feb 16 - Feb 22, 2020 Mar 6, 2020 Mar 13, 2020 Feb 23 - Feb 29, 2020 Mar 13, 2020 Mar 20, 2020 Mar 1 - Mar 7, 2020 Mar 20, 2020 Mar 27, 2020 Mar 8 - Mar 14, 2020 Mar 27, 2020 Apr 3, 2020 Mar 15 - Mar 21, 2020 Apr 3, 2020 Apr 10, 2020 Mar 22 - Mar 28, 2020 Apr 10, 2020 Apr 17, 2020 Mar 29 - Apr 4, 2020 Apr 17, 2020 April 24, 2020 Apr 5 - Apr 11, 2020 April 24, 2020 May 1, 2020 Apr 12 - Apr 18, 2020 May 1, 2020 May 8, 2020 Apr 19 - Apr 25, 2020 May 8, 2020 May 15, 2020 Apr 26 - May 2, 2020 May 15, 2020 May 22, 2020 May 3 - May 9, 2020 May 22, 2020 May 29, 2020 May 10- May 16, 2020 May 29, 2020 Jun 5, 2020 May 17 - May 23, 2020 Jun 5, 2020 Jun 12, 2020 May 24 - May 30, 2020 Jun 12, 2020 Jun 19, 2020 May 31 - Jun 6, 2020 Jun 19, 2020 Jun 26, 2020 Jun 7 - Jun 13, 2020 Jun 26, 2020 Jul 3, 2020 Jun 14 - Jun 20, 2020 Jul 3, 2020 Jul 10, 2020 Jun 21 - Jun 27, 2020 Jul 10, 2020 Jul 17, 2020 Jun 28 - Jul 4, 2020 Jul 17, 2020 Jul 24, 2020 Jul 5 - Jul 11, 2020 Jul 24, 2020 Jul 31, 2020 Jul 12 - Jul 18, 2020 Jul 31, 2020 Aug 7, 2020 Jul 19 - Jul 25, 2020 Aug 7, 2020 Aug 14, 2020 Jul 26 - Aug 1, 2020 Aug 14, 2020 Aug 21, 2020

If, for some reason, you didn’t receive your return in the time specified above, give or take a few days, you can always use the IRS’s tool called Get Refund Status. Since the link requires personal information, here is the non-html version: https://sa2.www4.irs.gov/irfof/lang/en/irfofgetstatus.jsp. Once you enter all your information, it will tell you what is going on with your refund. Remember, if you input the wrong SSN, it could cause an IRS Error Code 9001, and might make your return be held for Identity Verification. Also, many people are concerned because they received a Reference Code when checking WMR. Here is a complete list of IRS Reference Codes. Just match up the code with the one in the list, and see what the problem could be. As always, if you are concerned, you can call the IRS directly at (800) 829-1040. Looking for an old IRS refund chart? We saved them for you below.

2019 IRS Refund Schedule It was just last year, but here's our 2019 refund schedule if you are still looking for it:

2019 IRS Tax Refund Calendar Date Accepted Direct Deposit Sent Paper Check Mailed Jan 28 - Feb 2, 2019 Feb 15, 2019 Feb 22, 2019 Feb 3 - Feb 9, 2019 Feb 22, 2019 Mar 1, 2019 Feb 10 - Feb 16, 2019 Mar 1, 2019 Mar 8, 2019 Feb 17 - Feb 23, 2019 Mar 8, 2019 Mar 15, 2019 Feb 24 - Mar 2, 2019 Mar 15, 2019 Mar 22, 2019 Mar 3 - Mar 9, 2019 Mar 22, 2019 Mar 29, 2019 Mar 10 - Mar 16, 2019 Mar 29, 2019 Apr 5, 2019 Mar 17 - Mar 23, 2019 Apr 5, 2019 Apr 12, 2019 Mar 24 - Mar 30, 2019 Apr 12, 2019 Apr 19, 2019 Mar 31 - Apr 6, 2019 Apr 19, 2019 April 26, 2019 Apr 7 - Apr 13, 2019 April 26, 2019 May 3, 2019 Apr 14 - Apr 20, 2019 May 3, 2019 May 10, 2019 Apr 21 - Apr 27, 2019 May 10, 2019 May 17, 2019 Apr 28 - May 4, 2019 May 17, 2019 May 24, 2019

2018 IRS Refund Schedule Still looking for your 2018 refund chart? Here we saved it:

2018 IRS Tax Refund Calendar Date Accepted Direct Deposit Sent Paper Check Mailed Jan 29 - Feb 4, 2018 Feb 17, 2018 Feb 24, 2018 Feb 5 - Feb 11, 2018 Feb 24, 2018 Mar 3, 2018 Feb 12 - Feb 18, 2018 Mar 3, 2018 Mar 10, 2018 Feb 19 - Feb 25, 2018 Mar 10, 2018 Mar 17, 2018 Feb 27 - Mar 4, 2018 Mar 17, 2018 Mar 24, 2018 Mar 5 - Mar 11, 2018 Mar 24, 2018 Mar 31, 2018 Mar 12 - Mar 18, 2018 Mar 31, 2018 Apr 7, 2018 Mar 19 - Mar 25, 2018 Apr 7, 2018 Apr 14, 2018 Mar 26 - Apr 1, 2018 Apr 14, 2018 Apr 21, 2018 Apr 2 - Apr 8, 2018 Apr 21, 2018 April 28, 2018 Apr 9 - Apr 15, 2018 April 28, 2018 May 5, 2018 Apr 16 - Apr 22, 2018 May 5, 2018 May 12, 2018 Apr 23 - Apr 29, 2018 May 12, 2018 May 19, 2018

2017 IRS Refund Schedule Still looking for the chart from 2017. Don't worry, we saved it below. Remember, this is not an official chart published by the IRS, but a guideline we created based on the timing we've seen helping tax payers every year.

2017 IRS Tax Refund Calendar Date Accepted Direct Deposit Sent Paper Check Mailed Jan 23 - Jan 28, 2017 Feb 10, 2017 Feb 17, 2017 Jan 29 - Feb 4, 2017 Feb 17, 2017 Feb 24, 2017 Feb 5 - Feb 11, 2017 Feb 24, 2017 Mar 3, 2017 Feb 12 - Feb 18, 2017 Mar 3, 2017 Mar 10, 2017 Feb 19 - Feb 25, 2017 Mar 10, 2017 Mar 17, 2017 Feb 27 - Mar 4, 2017 Mar 17, 2017 Mar 24, 2017 Mar 5 - Mar 11, 2017 Mar 24, 2017 Mar 31, 2017 Mar 12 - Mar 18, 2017 Mar 31, 2017 Apr 7, 2017 Mar 19 - Mar 25, 2017 Apr 7, 2017 Apr 14, 2017 Mar 26 - Apr 1, 2017 Apr 14, 2017 Apr 21, 2017 Apr 2 - Apr 8, 2017 Apr 21, 2017 April 28, 2017 Apr 9 - Apr 15, 2017 April 28, 2017 May 5, 2017 Apr 16 - Apr 22, 2017 May 5, 2017 May 12, 2017 Apr 23 - Apr 29, 2017 May 12, 2017 May 19, 2017

2016 IRS Refund Schedule Still looking for the chart for 2016? Here you go. Remember, this is not an official chart provided by the IRS, but a guideline we created based on the timing we've seen.

2016 IRS Tax Refund Calendar Date Accepted Direct Deposit Sent Paper Check Mailed Jan 19 - Jan 23, 2016 Feb 5, 2016 Feb 10, 2016 Jan 24 - Jan 30, 2016 Feb 12, 2016 Feb 17, 2016 Jan 31 - Feb 6, 2016 Feb 19, 2016 Feb 24, 2016 Feb 7 - 13, 2016 Feb 26, 2016 Mar 2, 2016 Feb 14 - 20, 2016 Mar 4, 2016 Mar 9, 2016 Feb 21 - 27, 2016 Mar 11, 2016 Mar 16, 2016 Feb 28 - Mar 5, 2016 Mar 18, 2016 Mar 23, 2016 Mar 6 - 12, 2016 Mar 25, 2016 Mar 30, 2016 Mar 13 - 19, 2016 Apr 1, 2016 Apr 6, 2016 Mar 20 - 26, 2016 Apr 8, 2016 Apr 13, 2016 Mar 27 - Apr 2, 2016 Apr 15, 2016 Apr 20, 2016 Apr 3 - Apr 9, 2016 Apr 22, 2016 April 27, 2016 Apr 10 - Apr 16, 2016 April 29, 2016 May 4, 2016 Apr 17 - Apr 23, 2016 May 6, 2016 May 11, 2016 Apr 24 - Apr 30, 2016 May 13, 2016 May 18, 2016

2015 IRS Refund Schedule Still looking for the chart from 2015? Here you go. Remember, this is not an official chart provided by the IRS, but a guideline we created based on timing we've seen.

2015 IRS Tax Refund Calendar Date Accepted Direct Deposit Sent Paper Check Mailed Jan 20 - 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 Refund Schedule Still looking for 2014's chart? Well, here it is. Remember, the IRS replaced this chart with the standard "90% of filers should receive their refunds within 21 days". However, based on experiences talking to a lot of filers, this chart still was pretty accurate.

2014 IRS Tax Refund Calendar Accepted Date Direct Deposit Sent Paper Check Mailed Jan 31 - Feb 3, 2014 Feb 13, 2014 Feb 21, 2014 Feb 4 - 10, 2014 Feb 21, 2014 Feb 24, 2014 Feb 11 - 17, 2014 Feb 28, 2014 Mar 3, 2014 Feb 18 - 24, 2014 Mar 7, 2014 Mar 10, 2014 Feb 25 - Mar 3, 2014 Mar 14, 2014 Mar 17, 2014 Mar 4 - 10, 2014 Mar 21, 2014 Mar 24, 2014 Mar 11 - 17, 2014 Mar 28, 2014 Mar 31, 2014 Mar 18 - 24, 2014 Apr 4, 2014 Apr 7, 2014 Mar 25 - 31, 2014 Apr 11, 2014 Apr 14, 2014 Apr 1 - 7, 2014 Apr 18, 2014 Apr 21, 2014 Apr 8 - 14, 2014 Apr 25, 2014 Apr 28, 2014 Apr 15 - 21, 2014 May 2, 2014 May 5, 2014 Apr 22 - 28, 2014 May 9, 2014 May 12, 2014

IRS Refund Status - How To Track Your Refund The IRS has multiple ways that you can track your tax refund. The main ways to track your refund are: IRS2GO App

Check My Refund Status online

By calling the IRS Note: the old "Where's my Refund" site is now simply called Check My Refund Status on the IRS webpage. It's essentially the same tool. First, it starts with your tax software, tax preparer, or your paper refund. Once you submit it, the IRS receives it. To confirm the IRS receives it, you'll see the "accepted" message in your tracking software. All "your tax return was accepted" means that it passed a basic test of having a valid social security number and other data. It doesn't mean anything except that it's in the IRS queue for processing. Your 21 day average starts from this point in time. If you filed before the IRS started accepting eFile submissions, your 21 day processing time starts from the IRS start date. At the 21 day mark, you should either see a message that says approved or take action. If you're approved, you should have a date and see your direct deposit in your account within a few days of that date (depending on your bank). If you see a take action message, you may be subject to a tax offset or other issue. Check out these common IRS issues.

Important Notice For Tax Time Did you know that identity theft, especially around tax season, is running rampant? People's credit information was stolen at Target, Home Depot, even The State of California. Now's a great time to make sure that your credit is safe. Credit Karma: Second, now is a great time to check your credit report and make sure that there are no issues. You should be checking your credit at least once per year, and tax time is a great time to do it. We recommend using Credit Karma because it’s free! Plus, Credit Karma has a lot of great tools to help you improve your credit if you need to, and they can help you monitor your credit over time.