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
49,361 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. Momof2girls1boy

    Hi. I have codes 806, 766, 570, and 768 with as of date of 2/27/2023. And my refund amount is showing as a credit amount on the 806, 766, and 768 codes. 768 showed up after 570 and the as of date for 570 code is 2/27/2023. Could the 570 code be due to the Path Act.

    Reply
  2. 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!

    @Mrs. P (not signed in): thank you I’m weekly pretty sure my account trans started Friday morning filled my name in address and filing status rest is 0 and as of Feb 20 2023

    Reply
  3. Kimikaze

    @Deano: I love your prediction! We also predict transcripts 2/16 for daily accounts with a DDD for 2/22 then transcripts for weeklies 2/17 for a 2/23 DDD. Funny enough our calendar is also marked in red (ok, pinkish) for PATH release and updates.

    https://igotmyrefund.com/irs-e-file-refund-cycle-chart-2023/

    Reply
    2
  4. Mrs. P (not signed in)

    @Walter DOG: you’re welcome. I just knew I needed to update you since y’all same wording going on. I’m going to count the sheep now. Hopefully yours process sometime tonight❤️.

    Reply
    1
  5. Mrs. P (not signed in)

    @Walter DOG: yes her as of date has been 2/20 since the blank one populated

    Reply
  6. Deano

    Path act lifts on the 15th any one on
    Path should update on the 16th with DDD I have track every step of IRS for 3 years the Path message goes away and then back to being processed on WMR one bar either the same evening or the 17th two bar DDD happy hour 🙂 my phone calendar is highlighted in red anything irs or WMR I have it set for reoccurring every year 🙂 99 percent positive for DD 22nd as of date is the 20th cycle code is 02 hopefully this Helps someone 🙂

    Reply
    5
  7. 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!

    @Bubba: you only have to report the interest if it’s over 10 dollars IRS rules

    Reply
    1
  8. 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!

    @Mrs. P (not signed in): awesome your right the exact thing I got and went through thank you for updating me gives me some hope did her transcript before updating have as of Feb 20 2023

    Reply
  9. Mrs. P (not signed in)

    @Walter DOG: she had still processing and refund date will be provided when available. Only account transcript had 2022 but blank with 0”s no return filed on it. NA for everything else. Her wmr has a delay message now. But her transcripts just fully populated a few minutes ago.

    Reply
    3
  10. Bubba

    @Claudia: ok will they automatically correct it if they say something or how would everything go? Would they give me a chance to fix it

    Reply
  11. 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!

    @Mrs. P (not signed in): what issue did she have I had still processing refund date when available and today it changed to delay message

    Reply
  12. Mrs. P (not signed in)

    @walter dog did your transcript update? My sister’s just did. She had the same issue you had going on.

    Reply
  13. Clos

    @grnz2glk40s: I’ve been weekly 05 forever always get my DDD on Wed . This year 2/22 or 3/1 count on it

    Reply
    1
  14. Claudia
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-21
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Arrowhead Credit Union
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-27
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-22
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20240505
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • As of:
      Mar-4
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-19
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Bubba: The IRS will only make a fuss for something that would actually make a difference if you had reported that $2.17.. which I doubt it would

    Reply
  15. Bubba

    @Sheila_33: also will this delay our refund in any way

    Reply
  16. grnz2glk40s
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-30
    • Fees:
      In Advance
    • Bank:
      Chime
    • Bars:
      No Bars-PATH Act Message
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-30
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-17
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-23
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      0505
    • As of:
      Mar-6
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-20
    • I Got My Refund!

    I realize there’s a seperate forum for state returns, but I figure most people read this thread more often.

    I just got locked out of the Michigan WMR, it stated I entered my info wrong 3 times. I entered it correctly, positively, only 2 times. Happen for anyone else?

    Reply
  17. Bubba

    @Sheila_33: hey Sheila I hope all is well had a question. I received a 1099int a week after filing taxes for 2.17 cents my wife and I are getting a good refund. We got this a week after we filed and I reached out to our enrolled agent and he said it is not necessary to file a amended return. Is he correct. It’s been eating at me. Will the irs care? It was for our escrow which I was unaware that it gained interest

    Reply
  18. grnz2glk40s
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-30
    • Fees:
      In Advance
    • Bank:
      Chime
    • Bars:
      No Bars-PATH Act Message
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-30
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-17
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-23
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      0505
    • As of:
      Mar-6
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-20
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Claudia: Thanks!

    Been refreshing myself with what being a weekly means in regards to WMR updating. Theoretically it should update for me on 2/18. Every year, without fail, I have received my refund before WMR even updates to the third bar. So fingers crossed for DDD 2/17 🤞

    Reply
    2
  19. Jae

    @Drewt0558: Last year I’m pretty sure people started seeing them in like Chime accounts and others (not actual banks) that Friday following the 15th. It was quick. People using traditional banks and even Emerald Card holders were Monday and after. It was super fast though after the PATH was cleared.

    Reply
    3
  20. Jae

    @AwweWhy: isn’t that date usually 21 days after you filed? I think nothing will happen for the Path Walkers until after 2/15 :(

    Reply
    1
  21. 2blessed

    @AwweWhy: When will our transcript and wmr update?

    Reply
  22. AwweWhy

    @2blessed: path also and mine says2/13 as well

    Reply
    1
  23. AwweWhy

    @Drewt0558: I’m a pather, I just checked my transcrips and my date is 2/13/23. But irs still has path message. So I’m confused lol

    Reply
  24. Claudia
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-21
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Arrowhead Credit Union
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-27
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-22
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20240505
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • As of:
      Mar-4
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-19
    • I Got My Refund!

    @grnz2glk40s: The as of date is the date that refund must be sent by or your account needs to be looked at again. It can be resequenced. But don’t other comments in here scare you. 90% of the time is usually the date refund is sent

    Reply
    2
  25. grnz2glk40s
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-30
    • Fees:
      In Advance
    • Bank:
      Chime
    • Bars:
      No Bars-PATH Act Message
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-30
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-17
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-23
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      0505
    • As of:
      Mar-6
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-20
    • I Got My Refund!

    Hey again! I didn’t receive an answer so I figured I’d try again. Can anyone tell me when refund will be sent based off of processing date of 2/20? Wasn’t sure if that was date it’s sent, or if it goes by cycle code? Been 05 for a few years so I think that makes me a weekly. Would it be Friday of that week? Any help is appreciated!

    Reply
  26. Drewt0558
    • 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!

    When should 1st deposits Start coming out for those of us on PATH

    Reply
  27. 2blessed

    Filed 1/17 accepted 18th. I had one bar with tt152. No I’m on path. My transcript is fully complete. And I have codes 150 766 768. As of date was 2/13 then it change to 2/20, now it’s back to 2/13. My question is my 21 is up tomorrow, and I want to know if my transcript will update tonight or next Tuesday. And I’m also using chime this year. Please help! 🙏🏾

    Reply
  28. 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!

    @Jmichigan.: path message is what you want if your codes are yall good I’m talking about the delay message some of us are getting because 21 days are about up

    Reply
    2
  29. Shana1015

    just a question. I have a 846 refund code for 2-10 for my amended return, will it mail out on or before that day?

    Reply
  30. LWBOSS

    @VaGal07: yea I hope so 😆😂 I’ll give an update if I do.

    Reply
    1
  31. Kaye0522

    Anyone getting “refund status error” information doesn’t match..when it does? I hope this isn’t bad!!!!

    Reply
  32. LWBOSS

    @VaGal07: if I do, I’ma give you the update 😆😂 it will last me until the 17th when I get my federal, I can’t stand the 15th they need to change that. I mean fraud is fraud. They always thinking of ways to scam so holding everything till 15th doesn’t make any since but makes things worse for us smh.

    Reply
  33. Tigerlili_1
    • Tax Preparer:
      Jackson Hewitt
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-25
    • Fees:
      In Advance
    • Bank:
      PenFed
    • Bars:
      3rd Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-25
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-16
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-22
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20240605
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Feb-26
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-26
    • Identity Theft
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Jmichigan.: Good! You?

    Reply
  34. VaGal07

    @LWBOSS: 🤣 fingers crossed you get it before Wednesday! 🤞

    Reply
    1
  35. LWBOSS

    @VaGal07: yes mines is for the 10th, I was hoping I get it before Wednesday but I knew it would be Wednesday night 😆

    Reply
    2
  36. VaGal07

    @LWBOSS: Yeah, it was for 2-08! Are you expecting yours 2-10? Depending on your bank/card it may be there Wednesday night!

    Reply
    1
  37. Yandyy

    @Walter DOG: OK thanks for letting me know..I filed on the 17th and were excepted on the 19th.Still at 1 bar..When I saw the delay message I was like oh boy….

    Reply
  38. Yandyy

    @Walter DOG: HI I got excepted on the 19th@Walter DOG:

    Reply
  39. 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!

    @Yandyy: when did you get accepted I got accepted on the 19 so 21 days is about up that’s why

    Reply
    1
  40. Jmichigan.
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-28
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Citizens Bank
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-29
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Walter DOG: Are you talking about the PATH message?

    Reply