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 “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. Mary

    I would just like to have some time today come on Chime

    Reply
    3
  2. Mary

    @WalterDog 2022 we got our chime deposit at 2

    Reply
  3. Tykillaa38

    Hey Everyone! With Chime like myself did you’ll know that Chime was down lastnight? Like through the app like down couldn’t do anything… they were having issues

    Reply
  4. 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!

    I’m wondering if something’s wrong with the system sending notifications to bank because no one has gotten a DD and with Chime last year I got mine at 11.15 am on that Friday

    Reply
  5. Jersey girl
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-28
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Netspend
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-28
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      0605
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Mar-3
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-24
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Sickntired: yes this year is definitely weird with dd

    Reply
  6. Tia
    • Tax Preparer:
      TaxAct
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-29
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Chime
    • Bars:
      No Bars-PATH Act Message
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-29
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20240605
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Mar-10
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-24
    • I Got My Refund!

    It seems like no one is getting DD. Sure the issue isn’t the IRS?? I wouldn’t know tho.

    Reply
    1
  7. Never Again

    Santa Barbra is not releasing funds early… I don’t have a tracking number either so I believe what the lady told me… my fees was taken out of my State 20 days ago😓

    Reply
    1
  8. Sandra s

    @Never Again: thank you

    Reply
  9. Horsecharlie09

    Are the ppl who get deposited on 2/24 and 2/26 the ones who opted to get 5 days early also? I see so many people here expecting early so just asking. Idk how Santa Barbara works but I figured that the deposit would come on the day that it says. Mine says 2/26, I didn’t opt for 5 days early so I’m expecting it Wednesday 2/26. Did ppl get theirs earlier than the date given or something?

    Reply
  10. Sickntired

    @Jersey girl: I had bluebird last year same as this year and it came last year at 1:06 pm. Idk what is up w this year.

    Reply
    1
  11. Everysingleyear

    @S: same!! U think today?

    Reply
  12. Jay Jay not logged in

    If you are dd 2/26 plan on not being paid today and we just got scammed for 25 dollars lol. I hope it’s not the cause I don’t know how this signal from the IRS stuff works. Maybe someone in here can chime in if they know

    Reply
  13. Jay Jay not logged in

    @Jay Jay not logged in: I’m dd2/26

    Reply
  14. Nynah

    @Honeybee82: we’re thinking the same way lol. I feel like since our ddd falls on a Monday, today should be the “day before”. I think SBTPG will release it today honestly, and it’ll be up to which bank you have to determine when you get it. I have CK and they give it instantly. Even on weekends!

    Reply
    1
  15. Jay Jay not logged in

    I’m giving up. I called TT and the guy told me that he has not even received a signal from the IRS and it’s still blank on his end. So I am not getting mine today it seems. I hope the rest of you do

    Reply
    1
  16. 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!

    @Honeybee82: I wish we would get it before the weekend….. 🤞🤞🙏🙏

    Reply
    1
  17. Kimzie20

    @Honeybee82: I see you have Netspend have you gotten yours yet?

    Reply
  18. 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!

    @singlemomto4: I would ‘hope’ that means today, since it’s one business day before the 24th. I also don’t know if SBTPG releases funds on the weekend, so that’s another reason I hope it would be today

    Reply
    1
  19. Jersey girl
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-28
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Netspend
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-28
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      0605
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Mar-3
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-24
    • I Got My Refund!

    Come on Netspend last year I received my money at 1:06 pm….

    Reply
    2
  20. 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!

    @Honeybee82: so would that be today or Sunday for a ddd 2/24? They have show my money since Wednesday

    Reply
  21. Tee

    @S: My I asked what’s your date

    Reply
  22. 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!

    @Horsecharlie09: no

    Reply
  23. S

    Well, last year I got my chime deposit at 12:22pm. It’ll probably come after 6pm today.

    Reply
    3
  24. Horsecharlie09

    @Chelyn: did this person also get the 5 day early deposit?

    Reply
  25. Never Again

    @Sandra s: (877) 908-7228

    Reply
  26. 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!

    @Mamaof578: last year I got my deposit exactly one day before my DDD with SBTPG. I even double checked just to be sure lol 😄

    Reply
    4
  27. Never Again

    @Chelyn: fingers crossed…I hope the lady wasn’t just telling me anything to get me off the phone

    Reply
  28. Nynah

    @Mamaof578: last year my ddd was 2/22. I received it 2/21 at 5:30 pm eastern time.

    This year, however, a lot of people in this group are saying that SBTPG told them that they will be waiting until the exact day of our ddd to give us the funds. I guess only time will tell!

    Reply
    4
  29. Fatdaddy not signed in

    @mamaof578 they typically submit their DD for the day of your DDD a day or two in advance to release on the day of your DDD. NHB will give it to you immediately. This has been a very strange year though.

    Reply
    1
  30. Justgivememymoneyyy

    @87 manemane: nope they did me the same with cash app

    Reply
  31. Mamaof578
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-15
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      credit karma
    • Bars:
      2nd Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Feb-21
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-20
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-24
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • I Got My Refund!

    Does Sbtpg actually wait until the date it says to deposit? I cant remember what they did last year.

    Reply
  32. Waiting..

    @87 manemane: same boat

    Reply
  33. 87 manemane

    @Jessica C: Thank you! I started to get a little worried.

    Reply
  34. 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!

    @injuredspouse: right. Me neither. I’m checking again at 4 and if nothing then 7.

    Reply
  35. Curioustaxpayer

    Has anyone recieved their refund from h&r block on their emerald card before the dd??

    Reply
  36. 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!

    @Clos: it depends on the bank location too. Wells deposits around 7pm on the east coast but they’re based in Seattle so their time it’s 4pm

    Reply
  37. injuredspouse

    @Chelyn: that would be great. Im still not funded tho lol

    Reply
  38. 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!

    @Never Again: I wonder if it’s just by luck. Someone posted earlier that their sbptg said funded at 11 and at 130 they received their funds with a dd of 2/25

    Reply
  39. Starr

    @Honeybee82: thanks for advice last week . I updated with my 846 last night !!

    Reply
    1
  40. Vee2021
    • Tax Preparer:
      TaxAct
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-20
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Venmo
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-22
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      0805
    • As of:
      Feb-17
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-21
    • I Got My Refund!

    Any Venmo drops for DD 2/26?

    Reply