IRS Accepts Return By: Direct Deposit Sent (Or Paper Check Mailed one week later): Jan. 27, 2020Feb. 7, 2020 (Feb. 14, 2020) Feb. 3 Feb. 14 (Feb 21) Feb. 10 Feb. 21 (Feb 28) Feb. 18 (President’s Day is a holiday)Feb. 28 (Mar. 6) Feb. 24Mar. 6 (Mar 13) Mar. 2 Mar. 13 (Mar. 20) Mar. 9Mar. 20 (Mar. 27) Mar. 16 Mar. 27 (Apr. 3) Mar. 23 Apr. 3 (Apr. 10)
** = Returns with EITC or CTC may have refunds delayed until late February to verify credits.
*** = Filing during peak season can result in slightly longer waits.
IRS Accepts Return By: Direct Deposit Sent (Or Paper Check Mailed one week later) Mar. 29Apr. 10, 2020 (Apr. 17) Apr. 6 Apr. 17 (Apr. 24) Apr. 13Apr. 24 (May 1) Apr. 20 May 1 (May 8) Apr. 27 May 8 (May 15) May 4May 15 (May 22) May 11May 22 (May 29) May 18 May 29 (June 5) May 25 June 5 (June 12) IMPORTANT: If you file electronically (using an online tax program or preparer), the IRS will notify you of the actual date they “accepted” your return. This is often 1-3 days from the time you actually hit the “file” or “submit” button, and it is this date that you need to use for the above chart.
Taxpayers who mail a paper version of their income tax return can expect at least a 3-4 week delay at the front-end of the process, as the return has to be manually entered into the IRS system before it can be processed.
Be Safe – Hire a Professional
Taxpayers who use a professional, such as a CPA or EA, can ask that professional for the estimated date of their tax refund, and they can be more confident that their taxes have been properly (and legally) filed.