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
35,501 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. TabbyDallas

    @Shmoney: your 846 code should reflect your refund amount, what codes do you have?

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  2. celina93

    @2013taxpayer: so when she called offset it said there was no offset, but they took her state taxes for unemployment that she owed. On the unemployment website for her it says state interception yes and irs interception- no so shes just a little nervous that her federal will get took.

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  3. Ramair2000

    Anyone use green dot and get refund early with no fees taken out?

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  4. Shmoney

    I still have the PATH message but my transcripts updated today. 846 for 2-23-23. I’m confused about the minus signs though. The broken up refund amounts with the April date have a minus sign. The 846 code and ddd don’t have a minus sign for the full amount.

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  5. Quana

    @Yvette_200315: I have it. I remember getting it a day early…maybe a day or 2… last ur taxes were late right, like the irs didn’t start accepting until Feb, right? Whatever yr that was my refund was due for Mar and I got it the 27th or the 28th of Feb.

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  6. TabbyDallas

    @Suez: record of account shows the most info

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  7. Sandra123

    @S: thank you for the reply. I always update transcripts after 7 am on the Friday when path is lifted so I’m hoping you are right.

    Another question for anyone else: if my transcripts just say 0 and return not filed yet is this a good sign? Filed 2/8.

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    1
  8. Suez

    What page are the codes on in transcripts and is it on the return transcript?

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    1
  9. Perntu1

    @Jennifer: hey one more thing what if I forgot a w2 I did submit the other ones

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  10. andrea d

    @HeyGuys2023: mine has that too on account balance on my transcripts like other years

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  11. Mommytotwinsplus2

    If I paid fees upfront, why do I have an sbtg account? I looked out of curiosity and I have one. Is it because I did the advance through TT? Deposit is to go to credit karma.

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    1
  12. vannyy

    @TabbyDallas: I ahve that too and I believe someone on here told me thats normal it will reflect later to $0.00

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  13. HeyGuys2023

    I have my 846 for 2/23. My account balance now says 0.00. does that just mean they sent the deposit off?

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  14. Perntu1

    @Jennifer: ok thank you

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  15. Ineedmy$$now
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-23
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Credit Karma
    • Bars:
      No Bars-PATH Act Message

    @Yvette_200315: yes

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  16. Allisxn

    I know good and well that SBTPG neverrrrrrrrr releases more than a day early but I’ve already checked 3 times today 🫥

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    2
  17. Quana

    @Jenny04: not sure but if you check, it’ll have your deposit date and if the fee taken out says 0.00 instead of fee amounts then they haven’t taken anything out yet. I’m still waiting too

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  18. Ineedmy$$now
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-23
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Credit Karma
    • Bars:
      No Bars-PATH Act Message

    @Vannyy: you will see your bars in the morning

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    1
  19. Quana

    @Kekiluvstaxseason: me. I hope we don’t but honestly, it’s only come a day early and I have credit karma. I’ve never gotten it too far in advance. Literally 1 days before deposit day and that’s even with a serve card and netspend card

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  20. S

    @Sondra: It depends on who you bank with. Did you use an early deposit card such as Chime or Varo? Some traditional banks may deposit a day early but many deposit on the day of.

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  21. Jennifer

    @Finally!!: It isn’t over for me until I see that money in my bank 😂😂😂

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    5
  22. TabbyDallas

    I have another crazy question, just because it’s still shows *info next to what I would owe on 2022 taxes- other yrs still show 0.00, Sheila, I remember there were several that had this- I updated today to a ddd of 2/23 with all good codes, if it were being intercepted like other people are telling me, would it not reflect? I’m unsure because ive never seen this before and I don’t owe anyone anything- thank in advance for help or insight! :)

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  23. AmberBamber

    Anyone on Path with USAA with fees taken out get a deposit? We’re usually early :(

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    1
  24. Jenny04

    Does anyone know how long it’ll take SBBTG to fund ur bank?? It has my amount but says unfunded..???? Any idea??

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    1
  25. Jazz88

    @Finally!!: were they blank and say na? And did u ever check the again b4 11?

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  26. sleeplessnightstill2ndbar

    Anyone use H&R Block online with fees taken out? It’s going to my netspend not one of their cards. Does anyone know what bank the use for online if fees are taken out.

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  27. Sondra

    Good morning, I have a date for 2/23, when should I receive my deposit?

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  28. 2013taxpayer
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-25
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Credit Karma
    • Bars:
      What Bars?
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-29
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-16
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20240705
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Mar-4
    • Processing Date:
      Mar-4
    • I Got My Refund!

    @celina93: Yes, it will but mine showed up after they took it out. 🤣 Not sure about others but mine didn’t show when I got the 846. It showed up after.

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  29. TheQueenofBee

    @basketcasemomma: ya that’s what google told me wondering if anyone else has had it and it’s nothing … or could it be cuz I owe money and they have to go in and take it … I don’t recall mt transcripts doing that last year tho and I owed money then too ..

    Anyone with a code 424 held for further examination and 810 refund freeze and had it lift quickly and not get audited .. or can tell me if it’s being held for review for possible audit because I owe money and they haven’t taken it and mt refund is a few dollars more !

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  30. Sparkle

    I got my 846 CODE 🥳🥳🥳

    DDD: 2/23/23
    Hopefully I get it 2/21/23

    Supa excited!!

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    3
  31. Finally!!

    As of 5am this morning my transcripts were still not updated. Checked just now at 11am and FINALLY got my 846 code for DD 2/23. I have EIC, ACTC and I’m a weekly. Filed 1/15 accepted 1/20 and still have the path message on WMR. My spouse is a weekly also filed same day and accepted same day as mine. Has 2 bars on WMR that says DD 2/22 a day before mine. Makes no sense since we filed together lol but atleast it’s finally over with.

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    5
  32. Devylwahaylo
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Feb-1
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      PayPal
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Feb-1
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-16
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-22
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20240705
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Feb-26
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-16
    • Identity Theft
    • I Got My Refund!

    Updated.. 846=02/23/23

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    2
  33. Yvette_200315

    Does anyone have the Credit Karma bank? Do they deposit early?

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    1
  34. Guera
    • Tax Preparer:
      Jackson Hewitt
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-18
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Blue 🐦(sent wrong account now check being mailed)
    • Bars:
      No Bars-PATH Act Message
    • Date Accepted:
      Feb-15
    • WMR Date:
      Mar-3
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      846 on 16th 12:16am DDD 2/22/2023
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • As of:
      Feb-20
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Honeybee82: sounds like Blue 🐦 they the same have had 1030am up to 830pm so far never the same ever…ufff

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    1
  35. S

    @Sandra123: Your transcript can still possibly update throughout the day. Mine usually updated after 9 or 10 at night on a Friday. This year, it has already updated for the first time in years. I filed on 2/10 because I keep getting the still being processed message every time I file early. This is the fastest I’ve ever been approved. Keep checking throughout the day.

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  36. celina93

    if your taxes were getting offset would it show up on the transcripts? asking for a friend

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  37. HeyGuys2023

    Good morning. Does anyone know how long it takes for the offset refund line to reflect that an offset has been paid?

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  38. Kekiluvstaxseason

    @Vannyy: no really!!🤞 someone yesterday had to have fees taken out and still received money maybe😩

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    3