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
34,934 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. 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!

    #KDinAZz: Whew…finally, lol. They ought to tack on a little to the refund for the stress.

    Reply

    Report comment
    3
  2. Dewy
    • Tax Preparer:
      TaxAct
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-23
    • Fees:
      In Advance
    • Bank:
      BOA
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-23
    • Cycle:
      Weekly

    @KDinAZz: Niiice!

    Reply

    Report comment
    1
  3. Dewy
    • Tax Preparer:
      TaxAct
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-23
    • Fees:
      In Advance
    • Bank:
      BOA
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-23
    • Cycle:
      Weekly

    @Jennifer: You mean like where it says when your refund is and how many bars you have? Go to more on the top right of the screen. Select Account and you can enter the info. I’m not sure if that is what you mean but…. Oh and quick plug for the site. I have a Blue star next to my name because I kick a couple bucks to the management every year towards site upkeep and whatnot…

    Reply

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    1
  4. KDinAZz

    Finally got accepted!

    Reply

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    12
  5. 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!

    @Jenny04: I think weeklies will most likely see their refund date for the 23rd since there’s a holiday that week. :)

    Reply

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    5
  6. Monee
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-15
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Varo
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-17
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20240505
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Feb-19
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-2
    • I Got My Refund!

    @DebMom: I don’t know if I understand what you mean but I’m rooting for you. Since it’s not happening to everyone I’m hoping it means something is happening for you

    Reply

    Report comment
  7. 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!

    @Gwen: Not a whole lot you can do now. If you call, I’m not sure if they would even do anything right now. And it may just kick out a refund when the path lifts. But, if you know you definitely aren’t supposed to get it, I would consider amending, and paying it back after you receive it.

    Reply

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  8. Jennifer

    I might have a dumb question, lol… I have been using this site for years, but how do I get that particular block of info in blue that everyone has? I check my transcripts and that is where I have just always looked for any info…

    Reply

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    1
  9. Jenny04

    @Sheila_33: hey lady! Ya I checked it out but still don’t know when it’ll be in cause I’m a weekly not daily so idk when it’ll be in girl!?

    Reply

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    1
  10. Gwen

    @Sheila_33: I can see my transcripts. I’m just lost as to what to do right now

    Reply

    Report comment
  11. 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!

    @Monee: said mine was. All of them not the page I previously went to

    Reply

    Report comment
  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!

    @Jenny04: Hey, nice to see you back, lady. Admin has worked up a calendar of cycle and refund dates:
    https://igotmyrefund.com/irs-e-file-refund-cycle-chart-2023/

    Reply

    Report comment
    1
  13. Jenny04

    Hey group! Long time no see!! Well just filed today 02/01 and I’m a PATHer. So when does everyone think taxes will be in?? It saying end of Feb beginning of March but idk anymore with irs.

    Reply

    Report comment
    4
  14. 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!

    @Gwen: Is that additional credit on that transcript?

    Reply

    Report comment
  15. Kimikaze

    @Margarita: 766 is for a refundable credit such as ACTC

    Reply

    Report comment
  16. 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!

    @Newman: mine still says unavailable won’t even allow me to choose which or why hopefully it’s updating

    Reply

    Report comment
    1
  17. 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!

    @Gwen: If you can’t see your transcripts online, and you updated to the path message, it’s hard to say if it’s going to be an issue or not. If you cycle thru and they send a refund with that additional credit that your preparer added in, then you’ll need to amend and send that portion back. The Irs may catch it and fix on its own, if its an obvious mistake, but if not, they may place a hold on the return and ask for verification of that credit.

    Reply

    Report comment
  18. Gwen

    @Sheila_33: yes I see the transcripts and I don’t see any bad codes

    Reply

    Report comment
  19. KDinAZz

    @Amy19: still not accepted as of 2:15pm

    Reply

    Report comment
  20. 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!

    @Gwen: Can you see the transcript online?

    Reply

    Report comment
  21. Monee
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-15
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Varo
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-17
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20240505
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Feb-19
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-2
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Gwen: if you’re on path and don’t have bad codes you may be ok

    Reply

    Report comment
  22. Newman
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-29
    • Fees:
      In Advance
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-29
    • Cycle Code:
      05

    @DebMom: That’s strange. I did just check mine and I could get in

    Reply

    Report comment
  23. Gwen

    Our tax preparer put us down for the additional child tax credit which we dont qualify for. I called and they now see it is a mistake. Anyone know what will happen with my return now? I’m on path according to wmr

    Reply

    Report comment
  24. Honeybee82
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-9
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Credit Karma
    • Bars:
      2nd Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-19
    • Date Approved:
      Mar-1
    • WMR Date:
      Mar-6
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20240905
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Mar-18
    • 5071C LETTER
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Kimmpoo: same here….filed with H&R Block on 01/25 and was accepted almost immediately. N/A on transcripts, and WMR is on the first bar with TT 152 and “being processed”. I’m hoping we see updates this Friday!

    Reply

    Report comment
    1
  25. Monee
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-15
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Varo
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-17
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20240505
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Feb-19
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-2
    • I Got My Refund!

    @DebMom: you were told transcripts are unavailable?

    Reply

    Report comment
  26. Margarita

    @Sheila_33: im confused what it means

    Reply

    Report comment
  27. Kimmpoo

    @KDinAZz lol: I used H&R Block. Filed 1/26 and accepted almost instantly. No movement on WMR. Still sitting on the “accepted” bar

    Reply

    Report comment
    1
  28. Monee
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-15
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Varo
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-17
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20240505
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Feb-19
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-2
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Newman: true. When I checked at 6:30am it was 2/13. At 9am it was 2/20. And when I checked at 2 it was 2/13 again. So people may not know

    Reply

    Report comment
  29. 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!

    @Margarita: You might check out this link with the definitions:
    https://igotmyrefund.com/irs-transaction-codes-and-error-codes/

    Reply

    Report comment
  30. 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!

    @Newman: Well went to check for a date change on my blank transcript am told it’s unavailable at this time hmm

    Reply

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  31. Newman
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-29
    • Fees:
      In Advance
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-29
    • Cycle Code:
      05

    @Monee: Same here. Also, on the FB page it looks like there are a few others in the same boat. I was also thinking if I never checked early this morning, I never would’ve known. So, there probably are more people this happend to

    Reply

    Report comment
    1
  32. Amy19
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-29
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20240605
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • As of:
      Mar-4
    • I Got My Refund!

    @ValtNC: I used FreeTax Saturday, it took 8 hours to get the acceptance. At least one other person is having difficulty getting accepted.

    Reply

    Report comment
  33. Monee
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-15
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Varo
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-17
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20240505
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Feb-19
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-2
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Newman: it happened to me last Tuesday. I’m going to try to think positive thoughts for us

    Reply

    Report comment
  34. Amy19
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-29
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20240605
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • As of:
      Mar-4
    • I Got My Refund!

    @KDinAZz lol: Grrr, I just now am catching up since this morning. I hope you have updated or at least found out what is going on. I’m praying for you. Stress stinks

    Reply

    Report comment
    1
  35. KDinAZz

    @Michael: easier said than done!

    Reply

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  36. Newman
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-29
    • Fees:
      In Advance
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-29
    • Cycle Code:
      05

    @Sheila_33 @Monee Same thing happened to me this morning. I switched from 2/13 to 2/20 back to 2/13. I was always 2/13…WMR hasn’t changed, can’t ID verify. Hoping this means there’s some moving and there might me an update tonight/tomorrow. My initial transcript became available Thursday as all 0’s. And its still all 0’s

    Reply

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    2
  37. inquirn23

    @Walter DOG: ok thank you.

    Reply

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  38. Margarita

    I have code 766 ? Is that good code with also 806 768. All my transcripts are filled in and as of date is 2/13 i have path message on where’s my refund

    Reply

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    2
  39. 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!

    @Monee: Not necessarily. System may think it can resolve by then. But, it really needs to get with it in the next week..if it snaps back again, there may be an issue.

    Reply

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    1