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
34,960 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. DebMom
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-17
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Chime
    • Bars:
      2nd Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-19
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-3
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-7
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20240505
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Feb-12
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Deano: Probably won’t be able until after the official opening date of 1/29

    Reply

    Report comment
  2. Deano

    Question for all is anybody know how to get a hold of ID me on the IRS login by phone? Thank you in advance

    Reply

    Report comment
  3. Deano

    @shelleybeanss: Hey Congrats on getting accepted I had a feeling that you would today or tomorrow
    🙂

    Reply

    Report comment
    1
  4. DebMom
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-17
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Chime
    • Bars:
      2nd Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-19
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-3
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-7
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20240505
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Feb-12
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Joe Shmoe: Wait Social Security has updated your wages? Mine were missing for 2023 last I checked two days ago lol

    Reply

    Report comment
  5. Blueblood91
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-19
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Chime
    • Bars:
      No Bars-PATH Act Message
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-21
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20220505
    • As of:
      Feb-20
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-20
    • I Got My Refund!

    Filed with Turbotax. EITC, CTC, self employed. filed 01/20/2024 was accepted today 01/24/2024. went with the credit karma advance this year, Got the advance minutes after being accepted!!

    Reply

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    6
  6. RJ
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-18
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bars:
      2nd Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-19
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-17
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-22
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Feb-19
    • I Got My Refund!

    I managed to get ahold of the letter the IRS sent to my old address after some calls and a trip across town. It was literally a letter saying “thanks for using IRS online” so annoying

    Reply

    Report comment
    3
  7. shelleybeanss
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-21
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      CK
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-24
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      05
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Apr-1
    • Processing Date:
      Mar-4
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Sheila_33: yes ma’am! I couldn’t be more grateful for it happening. It’s been rough out here. 2023 wasn’t gentle to most ppl. Thankful for any glimmer of light

    Reply

    Report comment
    1
  8. Sheila_33
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-6
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Bluebird
    • Bars:
      2nd Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-16
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-16
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-16
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      03
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • As of:
      Feb-19
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-19
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Joe Shmore: I’m hoping to see some good updates on transcripts this Friday.

    Reply

    moderated
    1
  9. Sheila_33
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-6
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Bluebird
    • Bars:
      2nd Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-16
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-16
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-16
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      03
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • As of:
      Feb-19
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-19
    • I Got My Refund!

    @N: You can definitely request a supervisor. Sometimes they can even expedite after it’s been pending so long.

    Reply

    Report comment
  10. Joe Shmoe

    SSA site shows my with holding now. I was accepted on 1/19 but no movement from IRS- Transcript’s show n/a.

    Reply

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    1
  11. Sheila_33
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-6
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Bluebird
    • Bars:
      2nd Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-16
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-16
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-16
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      03
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • As of:
      Feb-19
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-19
    • I Got My Refund!

    @shelleybeanss: Looks like the fingers and toes being crossed worked! :)

    Reply

    Report comment
    1
  12. Sheila_33
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-6
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Bluebird
    • Bars:
      2nd Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-16
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-16
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-16
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      03
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • As of:
      Feb-19
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-19
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Jacky: Hey how ya doing? Beautiful day today isn’t it?

    Reply

    Report comment
  13. D'Sha
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Fees:
      In Advance
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-24

    @Calimom: I received mine advance at the same time the text alert came in from IRS of being accepted. I would definitely reach out to TT regarding the advance.

    Reply

    Report comment
    1
  14. D'Sha
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Fees:
      In Advance
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-24

    @Sarah Poole: Didn’t mean IRS meant Turbotax to contact regarding the refund.

    Reply

    Report comment
    1
  15. D'Sha
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Fees:
      In Advance
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-24

    @Calimom: I would definitely contact IRS, due to mine was accepted today and right that minute I received an email stating that my advance was deposited to my CK bank account.

    Reply

    Report comment
  16. D'Sha
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Fees:
      In Advance
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-24

    @Hazel: Well that’s nice to know for the individuals who may need to update their banking information.

    Reply

    Report comment
  17. N

    I have an advocate for an amended return she keeps telling me it with another dept and telling me another 30 days. Is there a way to contact a supervisor or some above her to get a move on? She’s saying that dept has all of my documents and I been waiting since Feb of 2022 for a 2021 amended return.

    Reply

    Report comment
  18. Hazel
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-13
    • Fees:
      In Advance
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-19
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • I Got My Refund!

    there is a new feature in the irs.gov online account, where you are able to add bank account info. any idea how this works? wonder if it takes precedence over the bank info submitted with tax return or not. hmm 🤔

    Reply

    Report comment
  19. Brogon52

    Can anyone please tell me how you know if your in the test batch? Thank you.

    Reply

    Report comment
  20. Rhonda
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-24
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      CK
    • Bars:
      What Bars?
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-24

    @Calimom: same here! I don’t understand the delay

    Reply

    Report comment
  21. CrabbyPatty

    Filed 1/22 got accepted an hour ago, advance came 10minutes later.

    Reply

    Report comment
    1
  22. PatientlyOnEdge
    • Tax Preparer:
      Other
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-12
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • I Got My Refund!

    @shelleybeanss: thank you!

    Reply

    Report comment
  23. shelleybeanss
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-21
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      CK
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-24
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      05
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Apr-1
    • Processing Date:
      Mar-4
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Sarah Poole: they’re only doing test batches still

    Reply

    Report comment
    1
  24. Sarah Poole
    • Tax Preparer:
      Other
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-12
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • I Got My Refund!

    I filed on 1/12 with TT, usually it’s accepted in a matter of hours… but as of now still not accepted, state or federal. Anybody else experiencing this or have some insight? Thanks!

    Reply

    Report comment
  25. Calimom

    Return accepted almost hour ago still no advance

    Reply

    Report comment
  26. Broke

    @shelleybeanss: Thank you, Shelley. I appreciate that. I’ll keep my fingers crossed that is the case and maybe get dressed to kill the time. Haha!

    Reply

    Report comment
    2
  27. TXBAMA

    Hi everyone! Just a quick update,

    I filed on 1/22 through TurboTax. My return was just accepted and my advance just posted.

    Reply

    Report comment
    6
  28. shelleybeanss
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-21
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      CK
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-24
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      05
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Apr-1
    • Processing Date:
      Mar-4
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Broke_Momma39: mine showed up 15 min after acceptance but I seen an earlier poster say credit karma rep told them it can take up to an hour or more

    Reply

    Report comment
    1
  29. Broke_Momma39

    Anyone apply for the refund advance? I just got accepted byIRS a little while ago, but still haven’t gotten my refund advance and I’m just kind of curious how long it has been taking? Usually it’s there within a couple minutes. (Yes, I know, I need patience, but I also am desperateeee and would love to go buy some groceries) lol

    Reply

    Report comment
    4
  30. shelleybeanss
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-21
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      CK
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-24
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      05
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Apr-1
    • Processing Date:
      Mar-4
    • I Got My Refund!

    Omg. Woohoo just got accepted. One step closer

    Reply

    Report comment
    3
  31. NYkhidd

    Kinda regret filing early in the test batch accepted 1/16 due to all the resequencing from last year .. past few years I waited til opening day

    Reply

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    2
  32. MoCarr2118
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-11
    • Fees:
      In Advance
    • Bank:
      Wells Fargo
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-16
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      05
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Feb-12
    • I Got My Refund!

    @justlikestealing: Me too! Last year’s resequencing was crazy.

    Reply

    Report comment
  33. Jacky_FL
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-23
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Varo
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-24
    • Transcript:
      No Access
    • Cycle Code:
      05
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Admin: I was wondering why the forms I checked off in the filing details are not visible in the conversation (so we may see who is a PATHer)? Thank you

    Reply

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    1
  34. justlikestealing
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-16
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      GO 2 Bank
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-18
    • Transcript:
      Blank
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • I Got My Refund!

    Hello to all…….. Just waiting to see if I can avoid the “re-sequencing, ride, after being on it, the last 2 yrs

    Reply

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    1
  35. Jacky_FL
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-23
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Varo
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-24
    • Transcript:
      No Access
    • Cycle Code:
      05
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • I Got My Refund!

    I hope, pray the lightning speed with this 2023 tax experience continues :)

    Reply

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    3
  36. Jacky
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-23
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Varo
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-24
    • Transcript:
      No Access
    • Cycle Code:
      05
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • I Got My Refund!

    I was accepted 1:11 – just checked for the giggles WMR and have already one bar.

    Reply

    Report comment
    5
  37. Jacky
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-23
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Varo
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-24
    • Transcript:
      No Access
    • Cycle Code:
      05
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Sheila_33: Hi Ms. Sheila! How are you, your family? It’s me again – your ‘almost neighbor’ in FL…. :)

    Reply

    Report comment
    1
  38. Jacky
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-23
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Varo
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-24
    • Transcript:
      No Access
    • Cycle Code:
      05
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • I Got My Refund!

    Hello and smooth receiving everyone!

    Reply

    Report comment
    3
  39. Drew
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-23
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-24
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20240605
    • As of:
      Feb-26
    • I Got My Refund!

    Hey everyone!! .. another year of waiting is here !!!

    Reply

    Report comment
    2
  40. Red

    Filled yesterday 1/23
    Accepted today 1/24
    No EITC, paid fees out of refund
    Filed through TT

    Reply

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    2