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
49,260 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. Honeybee82
    • Tax Preparer:
      H&R Block
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-22
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Spruce
    • Bars:
      No Bars-PATH Act Message
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-24
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20250603
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • As of:
      Mar-10
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-24
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Boogerbaby089: we’re glad you’re here! šŸ˜„ So far this year has gone really smoothly for me ::knock on wood:: lol. Last year my ID Verify mess was a nightmare, so I’m grateful to not be stressing as much this time. I also switched to a daily after being weekly for years, so that was a total surprise! I just hope everyone gets all the updates they want this week 😊

    Reply
    3
  2. Boogerbaby089
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Feb-4
    • Fees:
      In Advance
    • Bank:
      Credit karma
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Feb-4
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20240805
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Mar-11
    • Processing Date:
      Mar-18
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Boogerbaby089: I didn’t update my profile guys as I didn’t plan on responding this year. I was actually dropping by to see how honeybee and everyone where doing this year!

    Reply
    2
  3. Honeybee82
    • Tax Preparer:
      H&R Block
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-22
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Spruce
    • Bars:
      No Bars-PATH Act Message
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-24
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20250603
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • As of:
      Mar-10
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-24
    • I Got My Refund!

    We just have to get through one more day, before we start seeing those 846’s (at least for dailies)!! šŸ˜„ Nothing was processed today since the IRS wasn’t open, but tomorrow they will complete mass processing for all dailies…then transcripts will update late tomorrow night into Wednesday. Then a few short days later, it will be the weeklies turn….we’re at the finish line! šŸ¾šŸ’µšŸ’°

    Reply
    14
  4. Boogerbaby089
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Feb-4
    • Fees:
      In Advance
    • Bank:
      Credit karma
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Feb-4
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20240805
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Mar-11
    • Processing Date:
      Mar-18
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Lmf: Dont stress it, you have nothing to prove to anyone on here.. I myself have 3 kids on my return and received my OVERPAYMENT in taxes on the 13th. I didn’t qualify for the EITC as I made well over 6 figures last year. I belive for joint filers cutoff is 66k. Every tax situation is different and this site normally is very respectfully and helpful. Don’t let the negative of a few dim your light.

    Reply
    7
  5. JAYY

    @mrsmetoo: here’s their number 1 (800) 967-4934

    Reply
  6. JAYY

    @mrsmetoo: I would like to know that answer as well

    Reply
  7. FrazierGurl
    • Tax Preparer:
      Other
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-17
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Chime
    • Bars:
      No Bars-PATH Act Message
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-17
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-17
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      05
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Feb-13
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Txmomof3girlsnotsignedin: Transcripts can update any day of the week. However, mass updates on daily account are usually Tuesday; and mass updates on weekly accounts are usually Friday

    Reply
    1
  8. If so…

    @Lmf: if you updated then congrats! You have beaten this years level lol. Now enjoy that $$

    Reply
    2
  9. Ambo

    Thank yall so much for the info!! :)

    Reply
  10. Lmf

    @NotLoggedIn75: I’m not lying. If there’s anywhere to post a screenshot in here I will do it šŸ¤·šŸ½ā€ā™€ļø

    Reply
  11. !

    @Minionlover: umm yes it does! It would trigger that credit which would in turn put them on the wonderful PATH and no transcript’s update today (a federal holiday)

    Reply
  12. JAYY

    @Relief2020: exactly!!!! Good luck to everyone!!!

    Reply
  13. Txmomof3girlsnotsignedin

    @FrazierGurl: probably not until Wednesday for the 846 to appear on transcripts.

    Reply
    2
  14. iwantmymoney

    @Honeybee82: Thank you so much for the information.

    Reply
    1
  15. Minionlover

    @NotLoggedIn75: how they lying? 2 kids doesn’t equal path…

    Reply
  16. NotLoggedIn75

    @Lmf: stop lying

    Reply
  17. FrazierGurl
    • Tax Preparer:
      Other
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-17
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Chime
    • Bars:
      No Bars-PATH Act Message
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-17
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-17
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      05
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Feb-13
    • I Got My Refund!

    Hello everyone. Let the games begin. I’m sure we’ll see a lot of 846’s dropping tonight šŸ¤ž

    Reply
    13
  18. 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!

    @Gators352: Hey Gator hope your doing well and your transcripts update quickly

    Reply
    2
  19. Jay Jay

    Everyone that’s already filled in should update this week to 846 am I correct?

    Reply
    11
  20. Starr

    @Ambo: hey I filed 2/10 and have an as of date of 3/3 and blank transcript with all zeros also. Hopefully we will fill in this week .

    Reply
    1
  21. S

    @Tan: You’re welcome. šŸ™‚

    Reply
  22. MaryB
    • Tax Preparer:
      H&R Block
    • Date Filed:
      Feb-10
    • Fees:
      In Advance
    • Bank:
      Wells Fargo
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Feb-10
    • Cycle:
      Daily

    @Ambo:

    I have an as of date of 03/03 (it was 03/10 then switched back to 03/03), no IP pin…letter of non filing and the fourth transcript does not even show for 2024 yet.

    Reply
  23. Honeybee82
    • Tax Preparer:
      H&R Block
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-22
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Spruce
    • Bars:
      No Bars-PATH Act Message
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-24
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20250603
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • As of:
      Mar-10
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-24
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Ambo: hey there, sorry I missed your question! Typically having all 0’s just means that they haven’t officially processed yours yet. When my 2024 transcripts first populated, I had all 0’s too….but only for about a week, then I completely processed with all good codes except the 846. I think you will process all the way this week, and will see everything update all at once now that Path has lifted 😊

    Reply
    4
  24. 1toughbuttmom

    I don’t typically worry….buuutttt.. .I am still showing blank transcripts as if I’ve not filed. Although I was accepted on the 7th. I am a pather. But typically I would see something on my transcripts even if it didn’t have the 846 code yet. This time, nada nothing

    Reply
  25. Honeybee82
    • Tax Preparer:
      H&R Block
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-22
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Spruce
    • Bars:
      No Bars-PATH Act Message
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-24
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20250603
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • As of:
      Mar-10
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-24
    • I Got My Refund!

    @iwantmymoney: hey there! Welcome to officially being part of the feed! šŸ˜„ I didn’t use TT this year, but have used them many years in the past. That email they send out is a generic automatic email, basically just confirming that everything is all set on their end. Are you able to view your transcripts? They are the best indication as to how far along your refund status is.

    Reply
    3
  26. Ambo

    @Honeybee82 do you have any insight to mine possibly? Question posted below I haven’t gotten a response from anyone yet

    Reply
  27. Tan

    @S: Ehh!Thank you!

    Reply
    1
  28. iwantmymoney

    Hay everyone! I normally don’t speak just sit back and learn and take notes from everyone and been on here for years, and I was wondering have anyone that file with turbo tax had got the email, from them stated thank you for filing with us and your refund is on the way? I got that email the other day1

    Reply
  29. Honeybee82
    • Tax Preparer:
      H&R Block
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-22
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Spruce
    • Bars:
      No Bars-PATH Act Message
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-24
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20250603
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • As of:
      Mar-10
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-24
    • I Got My Refund!

    @LWBOSS: lol exactly! That 846 is the Golden Ticket we’re all scrambling for! Wednesday and Friday morning, we’ll all be jumping out of our Willy Wonka four-person beds! šŸ˜‚

    Reply
    11
  30. 2442blu

    @OLTFREEFILER: huh?

    Reply
  31. Honeybee82
    • Tax Preparer:
      H&R Block
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-22
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Spruce
    • Bars:
      No Bars-PATH Act Message
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-24
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20250603
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • As of:
      Mar-10
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-24
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Relief2020: last year the 16th was on a Friday though, so when Path lifted on Thursday….they were able to get them processed that same day, with the 846’s showing up on Friday. Since Path lifted on a Saturday this year, and the IRS being off today due to the holiday…processing won’t begin until tomorrow. The soonest anyone will see their 846 is late tomorrow night/Wednesday….and that’s only for dailies. Weeklies will see theirs Friday morning. I mean I hope I’m wrong and they show up sooner, but that’s the way we think it’ll go based on the same patterns from 2020. 😊

    Reply
    3
  32. Ambo

    Forgot to mention I’m a pather

    Reply
  33. LWBOSS

    Everyone is waiting on that 846 like it’s a lottery number šŸ˜† it should come out Wednesday and do a repeat on Friday šŸ˜† exact. I should catch that number Friday though cause I’m weekly or might catch it Wednesday maybe.

    Reply
    6
  34. Relief2020

    @mommyto6andcrazy: you might I have all same AOD 3/3 filled and accepted 1/31. All good codes path message. So from past experience with transcripts I’ve been a weekly 05 for years and my DDD is always exactly 21 days from irs accepting the return! So I’m crossing my fingers for a ddd 2/21

    Reply
    3
  35. Ambo

    Can anyone help me?
    Transcripts all 0s no processing date as of date changed from 2/10 to 2/17 letter of non filing
    I was part of the test batch.
    No notices or anything I do have an IP Pin
    What’s going on?
    Previous years cycle code 05

    Reply
  36. Relief2020

    Been a weekly since I can’t remember last year the 16th my transcript updated with ddd so hoping same tomorrow

    Reply
    1
  37. GodLovesUs

    @mommyto6andcrazy: why don’t you connect your PayPal to another account like Cash app and transfer all of the money out when it goes on there?? Also, can’t you lock your account?? I keep most of my accounts locked unless I am using them.

    Reply
  38. Deano

    The question is when does the IRS folks go back to work tonight at 3:00 a.m. which is by the way normal actions or tomorrow morning at regular business hours????

    Reply
    1
  39. Ambo

    Justaskin2: how do you know you have to verify?

    Reply
  40. JazzThee

    It’s been a minute!

    Reply
    1