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
49,272 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 ā€œqueueā€ 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 will begin accepting tax returns in 2025 on January 27th.

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 Wherer’s My Refund tool (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. Impatientlywaiting2025

    @Walter DOG: yes I followed your advice and when I logged in it said I didn’t need to verify and it has a record of me verified from 2021. When I say logged in it was through the id.me website not the irs.

    Reply
  2. TheMadness21
    • Tax Preparer:
      Other
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-7
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Andrew federal credit union
    • Bars:
      2nd Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-10
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-26
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      0505
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Feb-24
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-17
    • I Got My Refund!

    Has anyone checked social security site to see if your earnings was posted for what I’ve experienced last year that was an indicator that I was completely done and just waiting for path to life.

    But my question is will path lift Monday on the actual holiday or that Tuesday?

    Reply
    4
  3. RaiderBoss

    @Monee: i looked on irs website and it says they haven’t sent any mail to me nor have i received any emails from them

    Reply
  4. kayce

    Anybody from Kentucky received their state refund yet?

    Reply
  5. 2blessed
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-22
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Cashapp
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-22
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20150605
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Feb-24
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Walter DOG: Good afternoon my friend! I just checked WMR and I’m a pather! As of date still 2/24 and I have 150 and 768 code. When do you think the path will lift? And I’m banking with cashapp this year. Last year my date was 2/22 and my deposit hit 2/19

    Reply
    3
  6. Walter DOG
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Netspend
    • Bars:
      No Bars-PATH Act Message
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-19
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      05
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Feb-20
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Impatientlywaiting2025: ok but did you google irs id verify online and try to verify sometimes it doesn’t show up on your account if you google that and it doesn’t let you then you know for sure if it lets you verify then you know that’s all im saying just a inside secret

    Reply
    2
  7. ErisedMai
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-12
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Chime

    570 is a hold. It doesn’t necessarily mean their is anything *wrong*, but its generally a code most people don’t want to see. Some 570s clear up on their own with not much delay. Some will lead to reviews/wage reviews/etc and will take a long time to clear up. Everyone’s situation is different.

    Reply
    1
  8. Htown2025

    This website has definitely changed since I’ve discovered it in the 20teens

    Reply
    5
  9. Monee
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-8
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Varo
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-15
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Starchild1111: 570 is not a normal code. It’s not always a w2 issue, but they are looking at something

    Reply
  10. Impatientlywaiting2025

    @Walter DOG: yeah it’s no id verify anywhere on my account.

    Reply
  11. Monee
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-8
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Varo
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-15
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • I Got My Refund!

    @RaiderBoss: probably in the id verify crew

    Reply
    1
  12. Ginasnow

    I just check my refund status and it’s saying action required, something about they sent a letter requesting more additional information. Is there a way to figure out what that’s about? There’s no letters in my online account

    Reply
  13. Introvert_taxtime

    @Mina Mina:

    Hi, what do you mean by that?

    Reply
  14. Walter DOG
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Netspend
    • Bars:
      No Bars-PATH Act Message
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-19
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      05
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Feb-20
    • I Got My Refund!

    Hey my peeps look 570 is not a normal code it is a hold code for many reason its used for review like I had several years ago its used if there is a issue its used for soft review instead of like 424 or 420 which is audit but a lot of times you can get 570 and next cycle if fall off or get 571 which releases the hold usually if you get 570 but don’t get 971 it’s internal issue which gets resolved and most times 570 pops up with your other codes if on path once you get your codes that’s it waiting for path lift and 846 and again don’t give this I’m on Path and got my DDD it’s not possible FULL STOP

    Reply
    6
  15. LB

    Yo

    Reply
    1
  16. RaiderBoss

    @RaiderBoss: i am a pather too

    Reply
  17. RaiderBoss

    I filed on jan. 14 accepted on jan.16 and i still don’t have any updates yet. Only thing transcripts has on it is a as of date of 2-10-25. Can anyone tell me wats possibility going on? Tank u

    Reply
  18. Harrisongirl

    I got mine yesterday. I was accepted on Jan 27th and I got the 5 days early from turbo tax ($25) extra. But my federal was deposited yesterday. State was accepted on Jan 27th as well but no word yet. Has anyone got there Kentucky state back yet? They said as long as we file before feb 28th we should get them back before they change there system. Patiently waiting for this state return because I need every dollar.

    Reply
    1
  19. starchild111

    “Code 570 appearing on your IRS transcript signals that your return and refund require additional scrutiny before processing. Essentially, it means your return is on pause until the necessary review is completed, and there are several common reasons why Code 570 might pop up on your transcript”. we see that 570 after the return filed code then we start to see our 846 refund codes, that 570 doesn’t mean ur witholding amt is wrong please research before getting false information may make a panic for no reason

    Reply
    2
  20. Kaye_sdcali

    @Harris: oh please, dont hate! Im not here to brag about my DD! Im just sharing info like the rest of us!

    Reply
  21. Kaye_sdcali

    @shelleybeanss: i am a pather. I have ctc and actc!

    Reply
    1
  22. Ginasnow

    Hey everyone, just wondering when will path lift? The 15th or 17th?

    Reply
    2
  23. Harris
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-15
    • Fees:
      In Advance
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-17

    @Shelleybeanss

    Reply
  24. Starchild1111

    @Stephennotsignedin: yes that nots the case for the 570 code well not for the majority i have 570 code everyyear and havent caused no issues on my end that 570 is on all my transcripts and i dont have w2s to be entering witholdings make sure u get some info on that 570 code it may make people go into panic mode thinking there witholding is wrong and that 570 isnt what that means theres some VETS up here who can clarify that 570 for you for the ones who are inquiring about it cus its not a bad code

    Reply
  25. Mina Mina

    Some of us who filed 30-31 have been resequenced?

    Reply
  26. Harris
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-15
    • Fees:
      In Advance
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-17

    Thanks for posting that. Many think if they have child dependents puts them on PATH. Many don’t know that’s there’s a difference between child tax credit(CTC) and additional child tax credit(ACTC). And then they state they received their refund before PATH lifts which causes. confusion

    Reply
  27. texasmomof3

    @Impatientlywaiting2025:

    It means you need to do ID Verify, I have the same message and when I logged onto to check my transcripts, I had a message that I need to do ID Verify.

    Reply
  28. Starchild1111

    @Stephennotsignedin: ion know every year i see the 570 code its actually a normal code to see right when PATh freeze begins for me and never changed up on my transcripts

    Reply
  29. shelleybeanss
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-13
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      CK
    • Bars:
      2nd Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-22
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-18
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-25
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      05
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Mar-10
    • Processing Date:
      Mar-3
    • I Got My Refund!

    https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/individuals/earned-income-tax-credit/when-to-expect-your-refund-if-you-claimed-the-earned-income-tax-credit-or-additional-child-tax-credit

    The child tax credit doesn’t put you on the ā€œpathā€. The additional child tax credit does for low income

    Reply
    4
  30. Kim

    Filed 2/3 1 child college credit approved bar and ddd 2-12-25

    Reply
    1
  31. Kim

    @Kaye_sdcali: I have 1 child college credits ddd of 2-12-25 as well

    Reply
    1
  32. shelleybeanss
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-13
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      CK
    • Bars:
      2nd Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-22
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-18
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-25
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      05
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Mar-10
    • Processing Date:
      Mar-3
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Kaye_sdcali: I would assume you’re not on path. The child credit doesn’t put you on path necessarily.

    Reply
  33. Introvert_taxtime

    @froglover7m4: thanks..

    Still no movement for me. I’m hoping transcripts will fill out by Tuesday morning.

    Reply
  34. Jellybean

    @Walter DOG: thank you!

    Reply
  35. Kaye_sdcali

    @Kaye_sdcali: filed via TURBOTAX

    Reply
  36. RuthBaby
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-24
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Chase
    • Bars:
      No Bars-PATH Act Message
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-27
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20250704
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • As of:
      Mar-10
    • Processing Date:
      Mar-3
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Stefblaze: Yes. I’m getting nervous now. Filed the 1/24, accepted 1/27. Transcripts are still blank. I’m like 😬😬

    Reply
  37. Kaye_sdcali

    Im a pather, 2 kids.. college credit..

    Filed and Accepted 2/05/2025

    DDD – 2/12//2025

    Reply
    5
  38. Walter DOG
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Netspend
    • Bars:
      No Bars-PATH Act Message
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-19
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      05
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Feb-20
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Jellybean: Friday morning

    Reply
    1
  39. Jellybean

    What days do weeklies update on transcripts?

    Reply
    1
  40. Walter DOG
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Netspend
    • Bars:
      No Bars-PATH Act Message
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-19
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      05
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Feb-20
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Impatientlywaiting2025: what does your transcripts say any codes gave they populated make sure it’s not I’d verify google IRS ID Verification online and go through the steps if it says cain’t provide assistance it’s not id verify if it lets you then that’s what the message is for if not then you probably just got to cycle through again

    Reply