For all the people
impatiently waiting
on tax refunds.

A grapevine for taxpayers,
by taxpayers.

Interact with people who have experiences or questions just like you.

All of your tax refund questions, answered.
What Other People Are Saying
34,935 comments

Where’s My Refund?

You have questions, we have answers.

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.

The IRS began accepting tax returns this year on January 29, 2024.

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.

IRS Update Cycle

Use the IRS Update Cycle chart to find the days and times the WMR and transcript update.

Transcripts

This is what your IRS transcript can tell you about your tax refund.

Transaction Codes

Lookup the codes that you see on your tax return transcript and what they mean.

Daily vs. Weekly

Find out if you have a daily or weekly account with the IRS and what it means.

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.

talk to a human

It is often hard to reach someone at the IRS and you might want to talk to a person. It is hard to reach some tax preparation companies too. Use our guide to talk to a human at the IRS.

TAX TOPIC 152

Tax Topic 152 is the most common status when you check the status of your tax refund. It is nothing to worry about.

transcript codes

Transaction Codes (TC) sometimes called transcript codes consist of three digits and may appear on your IRS account transcript. Decipher the codes on your IRS transcripts.

reference codes

Most times the WMR will show Tax Topic 152. Other times you may see various error codes. These are called Reference Codes on the WMR.

Join the Conversation

What Others Are Saying

  1. Lexxifrmtex

    I filed Jan 29 accepted same day.
    One claimed one kid
    No EITC
    Self employed
    Weekly update
    Been waiting only updated twice one with action required
    Mailed me out a letter in Feb 10th
    Sent in paper work just my w2s an bank account statements
    Then updated to your taxes are being reviewed. Tax code 151 1242c blah blah blah
    As of date is March 18th
    But when I go look at my 2022 transcripts I see codes an dates changed an as of date for April the 8th
    I don’t ever call because everything always fixes it’s self I didn’t get my 2021 taxes until last year in Oct. Ain’t that crazy. So I am not surprised I’m being held up again. So now just a waiting game.

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  2. shir

    i havent recieved my state taxes and i did recieve my federal taxes ?been way past the 21 days said they were excepted efile to greendot card not been no errors just stage 1 to 3 for 8 weeks or since 02/18/2024

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  3. Dj

    Got my 4464c letter February 9th I’m now on day 51 account T.S stoped on all codes n ending with code 507 been there since I started processing on 3/4 even tho I filed 1/29 hoping to see a ddd Friday don’t lose hope waiting the 60 days

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    1
  4. BeeBee40
    • Tax Preparer:
      TaxAct
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-26
    • Fees:
      In Advance
    • Bank:
      Chime
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-29
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • I Got My Refund!

    Hi everyone if your as of date don’t push out further doing an update is that bad.

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  5. Morris

    Good luck to everyone that’s expecting an update this early Friday morning.

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    6
  6. GotaHeadache

    @Sdiego: 1. Not filing before Feb 15th 2. Getting a tax professional ( I usually file myself) . I’m hoping before July, really needed that money. It’s not right how many people are getting reviewed this year. I want the irs to step up and take some accountability.

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    1
  7. Kris123

    @Mari: ok your welcome, yeah mine still shows Feb 19 lol, Lets hope for an update Friday/Sat

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    2
  8. Mari

    @Kris123: thank you. I just did that and all it says is as of date 3/4. Nothing else. I f/a 2/5.

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    1
  9. Kris123

    @Mari: when you log in towards the right it will show records. then it asks for a reason, I normally just click other. then it will pop up you transcripts, which then when you select whichever year it will show the as of date and cycle codes on the transcript

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  10. Jennyb

    @Floridazoo: same here!! I really really REALLY HOPE WE UPDATE THIS FRIDAY

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  11. Mari

    @Sdiego: can you please help me navigate my irs account. I can’t seem to find the information that shows all the information such as cycle, as of date etc. appreciate any help. Thank you

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    1
  12. Sdiego
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-29
    • Fees:
      In Advance
    • Bank:
      bankmobile
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-29
    • Transcript:
      Blank
    • Cycle Code:
      04
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • As of:
      Mar-18
    • Processing Date:
      Mar-4
    • I Got My Refund!

    @GotaHeadache: wow. Maybe by the end of July we might get our refunds. It’s rediculous. I already adjusted my withholdings so I won’t worry about it much next year.

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    4
  13. GotaHeadache

    @TisTheSeasonOfTorture: I was told 120 days too. But the lady also said the notice would say 120 days, which was a lie, it said 60 days from the date on notice. I’m calling after my 60 days up. F dat. Seems like the irs really fckd up this yr

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    2
  14. TisTheSeasonOfTorture
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-22
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-23
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Mar-11
    • I Got My Refund!

    Soooo.. I’ve read on another forum that the 4464C and CP05 are the same thing and is automatically 120 days for review. The letter has never been updated. Does anyone know anything about this? I’d call the IRS myself but after yesterday’s phone call I’m liable to cuss out the next person that tells me “YOU JUST HAVE TO WAIT”

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    1
  15. Need_to_get_out

    Does anyone know if you have a tax advocate if that could change the date you update or do you still follow your normal cycle days?

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    1