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
49,344 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 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. Bellee
    • Tax Preparer:
      TaxAct
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-28
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Chase
    • Bars:
      No Bars-PATH Act Message
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-28
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      05
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Sharon Grayson: Shhh Sharon.

    I was trying to argue with you and you messed it up! 😭

    Reply
    1
  2. Sharon. O

    Does anyone know how long it takes to get the notice in the mail when you have to id verify

    Reply
  3. Sharon Grayson
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Feb-2
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Chime
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Feb-2
    • Transcript:
      No Access
    • Cycle Code:
      05
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Bellee: lol you know me better than that trying to keep people moving along from topics that can get nasty in here…

    Reply
    6
  4. Bellee
    • Tax Preparer:
      TaxAct
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-28
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Chase
    • Bars:
      No Bars-PATH Act Message
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-28
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      05
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Sharon Grayson: was this supposed to be sarcasm? I hope not.

    Reply
  5. Red Dawn
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-21
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Credit union
    • Bars:
      What Bars?
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-29

    My transcript updated to an as of date 3/10. Yesterday it was 3/3. Still the same codes. Hopefully this is all good news! Path message is still on my WMR 🙏🏼

    Reply
    9
  6. Sharon Grayson
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Feb-2
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Chime
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Feb-2
    • Transcript:
      No Access
    • Cycle Code:
      05
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Relief 2020: I have had my refund to my Chime card for 6 years now…with fees paid up front as soon as you get your Approval you will most likely get paid out same day or day after

    Reply
    5
  7. lori1985
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-17
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Credit Karma
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-17
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20250505
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Feb-17
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Richjames354: This is normal. Most everyones ‘as of’ date has changed or will change, usually it happens the week/end before you get paid. It doesn’t mean you have been resequenced or anything bad. It actually means you’re moving forward. :)

    Reply
    14
  8. Pather39

    Hi, pather here. I forgot to add a 1099 from uber eats, wasn’t very much like maybe 1k. But I haven’t been able to amend my return until today, I used TT. Should I go ahead and amend my return or will the irs make the adjustments for me.

    Reply
    1
  9. Sharon Grayson
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Feb-2
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Chime
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Feb-2
    • Transcript:
      No Access
    • Cycle Code:
      05
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • I Got My Refund!

    Woo hoo let’s talk about taxes….

    Reply
    1
  10. Qween

    Updated to path this morning
    But got 570 on transcript yesterday with 3/3 date beside it.

    Reply
    6
  11. Bellee
    • Tax Preparer:
      TaxAct
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-28
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Chase
    • Bars:
      No Bars-PATH Act Message
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-28
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      05
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • I Got My Refund!

    Hello everyone, let’s keep politics out of this discussion. We are here to help one another. I’ve been here 6 for years and no one has ever argued about such things. Please let’s get along and help one another 💕💕

    Reply
    14
  12. Nikki_1220

    Gm has anyone been able to verify without the letter these reps tell me nothing then they say they don’t see a letter I’m like I have too according to my IRS account I need this money I requested a new letter hopefully it comes wanted to be the first batch or the second looks like I’m not I’m so hurt

    Reply
    2
  13. lori1985
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-17
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Credit Karma
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-17
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20250505
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Feb-17
    • I Got My Refund!

    It lifts on the 15th every year regardless of the holiday. we just won’t see any money till Tuesday and Wednesday. Same exact thing happened in 2020. Path lifted on Sat, our transcripts ‘as of’ date moved up to March and we got our money on Tuesday and Wednesday. My deposit came at noon on the 18th with no fees and other peoples came on 19th who were having fees taken out.

    Reply
    13
  14. Bellee
    • Tax Preparer:
      TaxAct
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-28
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Chase
    • Bars:
      No Bars-PATH Act Message
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-28
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      05
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • I Got My Refund!

    I’m gonna hurt my little sisters DOG OMG

    Reply
  15. 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!

    @Toni: your good on Wednesday 846

    Reply
    1
  16. Luckyme2025

    Path does not lift until the 17th this year? That’s what I just read

    Reply
    5
  17. JAYY

    @Relief 2020: Yes, they deposit early and from my experience they are awesome!

    Reply
    1
  18. Relief 2020

    Has any one here used chime card before to get refund deposit? If so do they deposit earlier than DDD? First time using this card.

    File and accepted 1/31
    As of date 3/03 was 2/24
    All good codes filled in except 846
    Paid fees upfront turbo tax
    WMR path message updated today

    Reply
    9
  19. Toni
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Feb-5
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Chime
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Feb-7
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20250801
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Mar-10
    • I Got My Refund!

    I have a 0.00 for amount after my cycle code

    Reply
  20. Toni
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Feb-5
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Chime
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Feb-7
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20250801
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Mar-10
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Walter DOG: on my WRM its 152 still and on my transcripts its 150, 806, 766 and 768..no 846 yet

    Reply
    1
  21. Deedee315

    I filed on 27 accepted 28 the as of dates keep jumping around no taxes refund filed

    Reply
  22. Falysha Lynn

    Does anyone know if Republic Bank holds funds?

    Reply
  23. WAtaxdad

    Is there any way to give feedback to this website? I am bummed the last few years not having a forum for WA state taxes. We have tax credits here even though people do not file state taxes. It would be nice to have a forum for this on an otherwise very useful site! Thanks

    Reply
    2
  24. 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!

    If your transcripts won’t open, also clear cache and cookies along with browsing history. When a website has an error, many times, especially with Google, when you try to open at a later date, it will automatically try to open the previous link (the damaged one). Clearing cookies and history lets you start with a fresh page.

    Reply
    3
  25. Mariaa

    @Sheila_33: so I’m good to go then ,I don’t have bad codes could I still get bad codes on Tuesday or straight to 846

    Reply
    1
  26. Morris

    I see my processing date is Feb 24 and as of date Mar 3

    Reply
    1
  27. Single and living

    Thank you Walter dog

    Reply
  28. JAYY

    @Jenny04: Don’t worry. I filed on the 28th and my transcript just updated yesterday with good codes. You should be fine.🙂

    Reply
    2
  29. 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!

    @Single and living: use another browser to login it was doing that to me when using google it opened with safari

    Reply
  30. Sheila_33
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-9
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Bluebird
    • Bars:
      No Bars-PATH Act Message
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-17
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-16
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-16
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      04
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • As of:
      Feb-10
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-19
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Mariaa: As many people that are having these as of dates moving around, myself included, I believe it’s just a system update getting ready for next week. And, me personally, I’m not worried about it. :)

    Reply
    11
  31. Single and living

    Why when I try to view my transcript online via the irs website I get the message. could not open the page the address is invalid. Why is that?

    Reply
  32. Tykillaa28

    @Tykillaa28: typo i meant card not care lol

    Reply
  33. Clos

    My step son WMR updated 2/20 DDD he got his money yesterday on his ONE card. He was accepted 1/31. He is non path.
    I am 05 weekly accepted 1/17 been on path message since 1/24 and nothing changed my processing date is still 2/10 and as of date has been jumping back and forth.

    Reply
    2
  34. Tykillaa28

    @Jennyb: Nope not me last year I got my refund on the 21st because I have the chime care early pay.. but even still that was insane because my DD was for the 22nd lol

    Reply
  35. 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!

    @Toni: what codes do you have your giving me the cycle dates do you have like 150,806,766,768 those are codes

    Reply
  36. lori1985
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-17
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Credit Karma
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-17
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20250505
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Feb-17
    • I Got My Refund!

    Cycle Coder 20250505 and a weekly Pather. No updates anywhere. Not surprised. But I am going to try and challenge myself to not log in and check anything till Tuesday. I have to rely on you guys to not post about seeing updates so that I don’t cave LOL j/k

    Reply
    8
  37. DTM2025

    @wade123: I am pretty much in the same situation. That is strange!! They are really doing things different.

    Trans 570
    As of 2/24
    WMR- PATH
    Cycle 05

    Reply
    1
  38. Mariaa

    @Sheila_33 I have as of date that just change from 2/17 to 3/3 yesterday then went back to 2/17 and now today 3/10. My transcripts show codes 150 806 766 768 cycle 20250602 processing date 2/24 . My WMR has been showing path act message with topic 152 but no amount since a week now . Am I good to go to see the 846 Tuesday or something is wrong that my as of date changed to 3/10

    Reply
    2
  39. anoel06
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Feb-14
    • Fees:
      In Advance
    • Bank:
      Chime
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Feb-14
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20250905
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Mar-17
    • Processing Date:
      Mar-17
    • I Got My Refund!

    Hey hey all. Here we go another year. I have officially joined the race. Fingers crossed, as I have received a letter saying I owe sometime last year. However, whenever I go online to try to pay, the balance remains @ 0. Odd. Happy filing!

    Reply
    2
  40. Beckaj2019

    I filed on the 12th married filing separate. My account transcript populated with Fridays update with no codes, but says filing status married filing joint. Is there something wrong or did it just populate what I did last year and it will fix itself through processing?

    Reply