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. Amy19
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-29
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20240605
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • As of:
      Mar-4
    • I Got My Refund!

    @LoveMy3Munchkins: 02 is daily, 2 is Monday. Congrats on the progress!

    Reply
    1
  2. LLMom
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-27
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      BankMobile
    • Bars:
      No Bars-PATH Act Message
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-27
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20250505
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Mar-10
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-17
    • Tax Refund Offset
    • I Got My Refund!

    @LoveMy3Munchkins: sounds like you’re a daily since you updated today :)

    Reply
    1
  3. Kyra
    • Tax Preparer:
      Other
    • Date Filed:
      Feb-5
    • Fees:
      In Advance
    • Bank:
      Navy Fed
    • Bars:
      2nd Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Feb-5
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-14
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-15
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20250801
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • As of:
      Mar-10
    • I Got My Refund!

    Welp a little over a week after filing and my Ohio refund is pending in my account!! 🎉🎉 it’s not much but it’ll definitely help!

    Reply
    5
  4. LoveMy3Munchkins
    • Date Filed:
      Feb-3
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      PNC
    • Bars:
      What Bars?
    • Date Accepted:
      Feb-3
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-20
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-25
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20250705
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • As of:
      Mar-3
    • Processing Date:
      Mar-3
    • I Got My Refund!

    Transcripts finally filled in this morning sometime b/c they were still N/A yesterday with as of Feb 27 2023 and cycle code 20230602 (guessing I’m weekly lol)
    I have all good codes 150, 806, 766, & 768. Just waiting on path message to pop up now

    Reply
  5. Waiting patiently

    I have a DDD of 2/8/2023 onto my Netspend card which I usually receive deposits 2 days early but havent received anything yet. I do have fees coming out from turbo tax when will i recieve my money?

    Reply
  6. Dane

    Did anyone receive there federal refund yet for 2023

    Reply
    1
  7. LLMom
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-27
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      BankMobile
    • Bars:
      No Bars-PATH Act Message
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-27
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20250505
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Mar-10
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-17
    • Tax Refund Offset
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Amy19: I stay on edge at tax time because of 2020. I’m anxious right now since ours hasn’t populated in yet. But I’m a weekly so hopefully Friday it will.

    Reply
    1
  8. Gb

    What does it mean to have two 766 codes on transcripts?

    Reply
  9. Amy19
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-29
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20240605
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • As of:
      Mar-4
    • I Got My Refund!

    @LLMom: I remember 2020 to all too well…..we sat in no man’s land for months, it was not a fun time.

    Reply
    1
  10. LLMom
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-27
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      BankMobile
    • Bars:
      No Bars-PATH Act Message
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-27
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20250505
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Mar-10
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-17
    • Tax Refund Offset
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Tigerlili_1: yes, I looked them over. No new codes. Nothing at all. So I have no clue. 2021 is not like that. Only 2019 and 2020.

    Reply
  11. 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!

    @LLMom: Did you look at those teanscripts, to see if new codes showed up? They may have reviewed them for something.

    Reply
  12. LLMom
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-27
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      BankMobile
    • Bars:
      No Bars-PATH Act Message
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-27
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20250505
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Mar-10
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-17
    • Tax Refund Offset
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Phillyhero64: I meant as of date feb 20, 2023 not 2020. See? 2020 gave me ptsd.

    Reply
    1
  13. MoCarr2118
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-10
    • Fees:
      In Advance
    • Bank:
      Wells Fargo
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-17
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      05
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Feb-10
    • I Got My Refund!

    @tom felton – My SBBT updated this morning and says the same thing as yours. I use Wells Fargo so I don’t think I will see a deposit until tomorrow at the earliest.

    Reply
    1
  14. SamFromMA

    @Tom Felton: hey, my SBTPG says same thing, shows amount and at bottom it says it deposited to my account with todays date 2/7/23 but also says I funded at top. I have a DDD of 2/8/23. If you update let me know and I will do same

    Reply
    1
  15. LLMom
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-27
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      BankMobile
    • Bars:
      No Bars-PATH Act Message
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-27
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20250505
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Mar-10
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-17
    • Tax Refund Offset
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Monee: thank goodness I’m not alone then. Makes me feel better. Thank you for letting me know :)

    Reply
    1
  16. LLMom
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-27
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      BankMobile
    • Bars:
      No Bars-PATH Act Message
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-27
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20250505
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Mar-10
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-17
    • Tax Refund Offset
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Amy19: we got all that so hopefully that’s all it was. I honestly have no clue. I didn’t know if anyone else had weird dates on their past scripts. I just have too much anxiety and time on my hands I think. I tend to think the worst and hope for the best. 2020 left me traumatized lol. It was so delayed. I stay worried until I see the newest transcript populate with the good stuff.

    Reply
    1
  17. Amy19
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-29
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20240605
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • As of:
      Mar-4
    • I Got My Refund!

    @LLMom: Stimulus money? Sometimes they moved the as of dates looking if you qualified or not.

    Reply
  18. Monee
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-8
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Varo
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-15
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • I Got My Refund!

    @LLMom: mine have Oct 31, 22 also. I have no clue why

    Reply
    1
  19. LLMom
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-27
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      BankMobile
    • Bars:
      No Bars-PATH Act Message
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-27
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20250505
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Mar-10
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-17
    • Tax Refund Offset
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Phillyhero64: mine for 2022 is like that but the as of date is Feb 20, 2020. I’m hoping we will all see more updates this Friday.

    Reply
    1
  20. Monee
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-8
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Varo
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-15
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Phillyhero64: me

    Reply
  21. Phillyhero64

    My account transcript shows as of date Feb 13 and no return has been filed. It has been like that for two weeks. Anyone else?

    Reply
    1
  22. AlaysiaMoore

    @Benita: sorry to bother again but after the state takes their offset they send the money to sbbt?

    Reply
  23. LLMom
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-27
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      BankMobile
    • Bars:
      No Bars-PATH Act Message
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-27
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20250505
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Mar-10
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-17
    • Tax Refund Offset
    • I Got My Refund!

    I have a question about transcripts but not for this current year…since ours isn’t filled in yet.

    I can look back to 2019, 2020 and the “as of dates are OCT 31, 2022” but last years was “as of MAR 14, 2022”

    Why would those older returns have that odd date? We have no notices or any tax owed or offsets. It’s just there randomly.

    Any ideas? Thanks.

    Reply
  24. Benita
    • Tax Preparer:
      Other
    • Date Filed:
      Feb-4
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Chase
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Feb-4
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-19
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-25
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20250705
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Mar-3
    • Processing Date:
      Mar-3
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Tom Felton: Mine shows the same, I’m wondering when will Sbbt update.

    Reply
  25. Still waiting

    @Tom Felton: mine says the same thing. Im not sure what it means

    Reply
  26. 2020relief

    @Honeybee82: thanks all these years and I always get my deposit before I even see the path message always stuck on the first bar so just making sure

    Reply
    1
  27. 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!

    @Sheila_33: you got that right but the IRS is the biggest Mafia there is

    Reply
    2
  28. 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!

    @2020relief: yes, that’s a good sign. It means you’re more than likely just waiting for the Path freeze to lift on the 15th, and will receive your 846 and DDD on the 16th or 17th 😊

    Reply
    1
  29. 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!

    @2020relief: If you can see the transcripts online, and they’re all good codes. Then you’re just waiting on the freeze to lift.

    Reply
    1
  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!

    @Walter DOG: No apologies. You’ve been here long enough to know I don’t mind answering your questions. You are awesome with helping others. I just don’t want you to worry until you’ve got a reason to, and even then, lifes too short for that. :)

    Reply
    3
  31. Proffiteer

    @Tom Felton: Seen something similar for another user on this forum last week, it posted on their Chime at noon that same day. Let us know if the same rings true for you!

    Reply
  32. 2020relief

    Is it a good thing when bats disappeared on wmr and now got path message

    Reply
    1
  33. 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!

    @Sheila_33: thank you Sheila didn’t mean to give you a headache this morning I thought you had to process for the system to know something was wrong like your codes just happened that some have the same message but when they processed they got the 570 code

    Reply
    1
  34. Tom Felton

    Hello all.

    SBtpg says that it posted today to my chime account but nothing is there yet.

    Also under the status at the top it still says unfunded even though it says it paid me.

    A little confused.

    Reply
    1
  35. 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!

    @Walter DOG: lol. I think we crossed messages but I see you’re getting what I’m saying.

    Reply
  36. 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!

    @Walter DOG: If they got a 570 code today. And they have no path credits, then the Wmr will probably show a review code tomorrow. But, if they got the 570 today and they have path credits, their Wmr will show the path message tomorrow.
    The delay message, still processing message is reflecting the length of time in the system from acceptance if you haven’t updated yet. The Wmr doesn’t know anything but the fact you haven’t been processed yet.

    Reply
  37. 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!

    @Sheila_33: thank you so I think I got you before you processing and transcripts update those messages doesn’t indicate something’s wrong with your return because you have to process for system to know right it won’t know review or income verification or something until you processed and transcripts update is that right what you saying

    Reply
  38. 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!

    @DAZEDNconfused23: if you’re a weekly, you will more than likely see an update on your transcripts this Friday. You probably started to process, but just didn’t get finished. As long as WMR has the TT 152 code, everything should update according to schedule this week. If you’re on Path, you will still have to wait until the freeze lifts on the 15th before you receive the 846 code…but you should at least see movement on your transcripts this Friday, followed by the Path message Saturday on WMR (if you’re on Path). 😊

    Reply
    2
  39. Daniel
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-23
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      CK
    • Bars:
      2nd Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-23
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20230605
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Feb-20
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-10
    • I Got My Refund!

    @DAZEDNconfused23: same as mine so my bet is barring any issues with your return it will be approved this Friday and DD on the 15th.

    Reply
  40. 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!

    @Sheila_33: yea thank you but to get message before processing and codes on transcript how could those messages mean something is wrong before processing I mean some have those messages and got 570 code usually the code would generate message but a lot of people are getting messages before processing and transcripts updating understand my question

    Reply