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. Waiting Patiently

    @Broke in IN: Yes, it’s normal. The 13th was just last Thursday.

    Reply
  2. Chelyn
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-27
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Credit karma
    • Bars:
      2nd Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-27
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-26
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20250605
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Mar-3
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-24
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Zeethegeek979: I believe the last two nights it’s been about 945

    Reply
    1
  3. Danni

    @Babygirl87: well I take my comment back maybe things are different this year because I just check sbtpg and mines say funded already and I haven’t checked my transcripts today but last night I didn’t have the 846 yet so this is definitely a surprise for me but it has a date to be posted under the amount paid to you section. Sorry if I confused you

    Reply
  4. Starr

    @Broke in IN: hi I filed 2/10 accepted 2/10 . My transcripts did populate but have all zeros. I do believe you would update tonight into tomorrow 🤞🏽🤞🏽🤞🏽

    Reply
  5. Zeethegeek979

    I’m not seeing any 846’s just yet. What time did they start coming in yesterday?

    Reply
    1
  6. Estie

    @Broke in IN: same question, idk what’s going on

    Reply
  7. DWAH

    @Still learning: refund issued

    Reply
  8. Broke in IN

    Filed 2/10 accepted 2/13 still no transcripts available, is this normal?

    Reply
  9. Estie

    Hi,

    Is anyone having the same issue is this normal?
    Filed on FEB 5th and accepted on the same day. My wmr states: We have received your tax return and it is being processed. If you filed a complete and accurate tax return, your refund should be issued within 21 days of the received date.

    However when I access my tax transcript is says there is no record for year 2024.

    Reply
  10. WASTATEGIRL24

    Filed 1/10
    Accepted 1/17
    Transcripts been completely filled out for several weeks (can’t remember the date) 0505 2/17
    As of has been all over the place 2/24 3/3 etc
    Walked the path
    Paid fees up front have NHB
    Really hoping for good news by tomorrow morning.

    Reply
    6
  11. DWAH

    @LWBOSS: I love this!!

    Reply
    1
  12. Danni

    @Babygirl87: hi in my years of dealing with sbtpg my refund never shows funded until the day of my DDD. So if your date is 2/24 that’s the day sbtpg will show funded and that will b the day they deposit your refund in your account

    Reply
  13. Amariex3

    So those of you having that issue are y’all weekly’s?

    Reply
  14. Txmomof3girlsnotsignedin

    @AM0704: if you didn’t have fees taken out of your refund then it will just go straight to your bank.

    Reply
  15. Babygirl87

    @Amariex3: That’s a good question bc I’m having the same issue. When I spoke with TT I was told it’s pending from the irs on their end. I got declined for the 5 days early bc im not banking with ck. My DDD is 2/24 which I’m not rushing it but why isn’t it showing on Sbtpg yet if I’m having fees taken out. I also asked if it’ll process tomorrow and she said probably not and definitely not over the weekend. So then she said give it until the 25th then call back.

    Reply
    1
  16. AM0704

    Is sbtpg showing no account found for anyone else ddd 2/24? no fees no advance no early deposit??? Filed With Freeraxusa??!! its making my nervous 😫 Or does it go straight to my bank?

    Reply
  17. SamfromMA

    @Amariex3: I wanna say it’s because they went through different bank if you did the 5 day early fee…that’s why I was wondering for the people who are seeing their info on sbtg if they did the 5 day early fee because I can’t see mine either

    Reply
  18. Amariex3

    I’ve noticed that people who did the 5 day early thing and got declined, even with an 846 and DDD of 02/24 on their transcript, their info isn’t found on SBTPG – any idea why this is happening?

    Reply
    3
  19. SamfromMA

    Everyone checking sbtg, did you not do the $25 5 day early thing?

    Reply
  20. wade123
    • Tax Preparer:
      TaxAct
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-17
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Chase
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-17
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      04
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Sheila_33: Still got my wonderful 570. Ill check every day, Tue-Sat and hopefully By June they will either send me a letter or correct whatever it is. But I no longer have faith it will be anytime soon. Thats life, I guess.

    Reply
    2
  21. BigTa

    Hey I hope this helps someone I filed 1/19 accepted 1/20 PATH 0405 no movement on WMR, transcript processing dates changing from 2/17 to 3/3 I called irs today and spoke with a rep. She said nothing is wrong with my return and they are lifting path in waves and mines should be coming up so just hold on guys! She said another wave is lifting tonight!

    Reply
    3
  22. LWBOSS

    GOOD AFTERNOON!
    THIS IS THE IRS NIGHT DRAWING LOTTERY NUMBERS FOR WEEKLIES AND DAILIES.

    GET READY FOR THE PICK 4 AND PICK 3 LOTTERY NUMBERS.
    REMEMBER, IF YOU HAVEN’T HAD A UPDATE AT ALL THIS WHOLE WEEK, THESE NUMBERS WILL INCREASE YOUR CHANCES TO WIN….OK NOW FOR THE PICK 4 GET READY……..
    CYCLE NUMBER 0505 0405 0605 GOOD LUCK….
    NOW FOR PICK 3 GET READY

    8 4 6

    GOOD LUCK FROM THE IRS LOTTERY AND REMEMBER, IF YOU HIT 846 BE PATIENT FOR THE PAYOUT AS WE WILL MAKE SURE THAT YOUR MONEY WILL BE PAID TO YOU IMMEDIATELY. THANKS AND GOOD LUCK WEEKLIES AND DAILIES FROM IRS LOTTERY AND IF YOU DONT SEE THESE NUMBERS RIGHT AWAY, BE SURE TO CHECK YOUR NUMBERS ALL NIGHT STARTING FROM 9:00 PM THRU FRIDAY……

    Reply
    24
  23. Momof1

    Good luck weeklies hope you all receive the 846 code!!

    Reply
    11
  24. Audra (not logged in)

    @pastelito: It will release to CK when you see a trace number under your bank information.

    Reply
  25. Blue chyna

    So I just relooked at my sbtpg account n it says money was posted from irs 2/21….. they posted this yesterday which was the 19th n today I seen someone say that they spoke with someone there n they said they haven’t received anything yet they expect it tomorrow from the irs like wtf how that works y post it’s funded if it’s not something don’t make sense

    Reply
    1
  26. Jdsanaja88

    Fees*

    Reply
  27. Jdsanaja88

    Is there a way for me to check and see if the keys were already taken out?

    Reply
  28. Still Learning

    @Jdsanaja88: If u didn’t pay up front then HR takes it immediately before releasing the money to your account.

    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!

    @singlemomto4: I’ve used ck for the last 4 years for the advance. Sbtpg holds the funds until the date next to amount paid to you. My ddd date is 2/25 and the date next to ant paid to me is dated 2/24. I’ve gotten it every year one day before the actual ddd, on the date next to amount paid to me

    Reply
    2
  30. Still Learning

    @shelleybeanss: thanks… I was just trying to see if I could see my transcripts because I wasn’t able to till today. I never really paid attention to it. This way is better than the WMR button thingy.

    Reply
    1
  31. Jdsanaja88

    How do I check and see if H&R Block got their fees paid already?

    Reply
  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!

    @Still learning: 846 means your refund is approved and the date next to that 846 is the date you should have your refund

    Reply
  33. 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!

    @pastelito: look at the date posted on sbtpg under amount paid to you. That’s the date they send it to credit karma. CK doesn’t hold

    Reply
  34. Still learning

    Okay I keep seeing these “846” codes people happy they have it or waiting for it. I have one on my transcripts what does it mean?

    Reply
  35. singlemomto4
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Feb-3
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Credit Karma
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Feb-3
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-24
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • I Got My Refund!

    @pastelito: this is crazy….. idk that I’ll do this again next year

    Reply
    2
  36. pastelito
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-31
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Credit Karma
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-31
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-19
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-25
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20250705
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Feb-16
    • Processing Date:
      Mar-3
    • I Got My Refund!

    @singlemomto4 I’m also waiting. Had the same fees and loan paid from refund, SBTPG received refund this morning and now I’m just waiting for Credit Karma to say “here’s your money!” Just wished they made it available today. 🤷🏽‍♀️

    Reply
    1
  37. Jay Jay not logged in

    @Sheila_33: I don’t know but where’s the coffee ☕

    Reply
  38. Justin0255

    @singlemomto4: sounding like possibly tomorrow. Or tonight, Do not see them doing it Monday. Could be wrong it is always a day before so there is no problem. Especially the weekend coming up,

    Reply
    1
  39. 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!

    @singlemomto4: I really am not sure. Perhaps someone that has experience with them can chime in. :)

    Reply
  40. 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!

    Woo to the Hoo!! It’s your turn to shine weeklies! ✨ I’m just popping in to sprinkle some good vibes, but I’ll be back on later to celebrate with you all! 😄

    Reply
    28