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
49,289 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. 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!

    Anyone with a trace number, how long did it take to get your trace number after being funded?

    Reply
  2. Jennyb

    Checked SBTPG it says funded and it will pay me 2/25. My DDD is 2/26.

    Reply
    1
  3. Jay
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Feb-3
    • Fees:
      In Advance
    • Bank:
      PNC
    • Bars:
      2nd Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Feb-3
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-20
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-24
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20250604
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • As of:
      Mar-10
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-24
    • I Got My Refund!

    woke up to my refund being deposited overnight. a very nice surprise since i wasn’t counting on it until monday. did anyone else’s deposit that is scheduled for monday show up today? i have pnc..

    Reply
    5
  4. Jenn1184

    Any idea if CK will deposit over the weekend? DDD 2-26, no fees, no loan but didn’t do the 5 day early thing because I didn’t even notice it as an option..
    Just wondering if I can expect something before Monday morning or not

    Reply
    1
  5. Stokes

    @Sheila_33: 26

    Reply
  6. 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!

    @Jennthepen: Whenever you access your transcripts, that will be the date. You requested, and it responded. It’s standard, no worries.

    Reply
    1
  7. DTM2025

    @Jennthepen: that is the day you are requesting the info. Hence why it’s changed.

    Reply
  8. Jennthepen
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-24
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Cashapp
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-27
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-19
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-24
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • As of:
      Feb-19
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Jaywim: Ok thank you

    Reply
  9. 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!

    @ImpatientlyWaiting2024: Since it sounds like the id verify resolved because the transcript filled out, I’m not sure why the 570 placed. It’s placed after the 766 credit, which makes me wonder if they’re looking at that. Did you claim a marketplace credit or education credit this year? Or something similar?

    Reply
  10. Jaywim

    @Jennthepen: the date you are logging in to check

    Reply
    1
  11. Jennthepen
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-24
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Cashapp
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-27
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-19
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-24
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • As of:
      Feb-19
    • I Got My Refund!

    So this is crazy. I updated 0n 2/19 for 2/24 at first my transcript request and response date was 2/19/2025. Now the request and response dates are 2/22/2025 for both and the tracking numbers changed. But the refund issue date stayed at 2/24/2025. Can any tell me what that’s all about?

    Reply
  12. TinaR

    Still one bar on WMR and still being processed.. what do I do? Who do I call? This has never happened! I’m normally always in the first batch of refunds.. filed TT 5 days early option and accepted 1/27.. what do I do?

    Reply
  13. NYnic

    @Sheila_33: I updated yesterday. My as of date is MAR 10, 2025.

    Reply
    2
  14. DTM2025

    @Big ben: congrats on the bundle of joy! I requested a TAS already via fax. I’ve used them before. So I am going to be apply pressure.

    Reply
  15. ImpatientlyWaiting2024

    @Sheila_33. Quick question.
    Filed 1/23/Accepted 1/24- Had notice of non -filing on transcripts, called and spoke with 3 reps on 2/13. Successfully ID verified. Status changed from *still processing” to “is being processed” on WMR on the 20th. Transcripts also updated from blank to populated.
    Codes 150, 806, 766,570, then 768.
    No notices, no updates after Thursday.
    Do you think this will resolve on its on.
    What I’ve read and I’ve worn the search bar out. 570 is a freeze but can be a result of the ID verification. Did you get a 570 during your journeys in the past?
    Does anyone else have/had this and it resolved?

    Reply
    1
  16. 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!

    Thanks everyone. New cycle started yesterday so some of those that are stuck may see a 3/17 as of update this week. Hopefully with 846s. 😊

    Reply
    5
  17. Buckey12
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-8
    • Fees:
      In Advance
    • Bank:
      FNB
    • Bars:
      2nd Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-15
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-21
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-26
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20250505
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Mar-10
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-17
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Sheila_33: mine changed to 3/10. I updated all my info above.

    Reply
    1
  18. JPinTX

    @Sheila_33: as of 3-10-25

    Reply
  19. Quana

    @Sheila_33: yes. Refund approved ddd 2/26…

    Reply
    2
  20. 846 for every 1

    @Sheila_33: I’m sorry 3/10 still half sleep lol

    Reply
    1
  21. 846 for every 1

    @Sheila_33: my as of date is 2/17

    Reply
    1
  22. Big ben

    @DTM2025: that would be awesome. We need it have a new baby coming in the next couple weeks and can really use it for when I take time off work:)

    Reply
    2
  23. Mama.Bear

    Help 😱What does this mean???!!!!
    Sbtpg website – “invalid entry no account found.”

    Reply
  24. 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!

    @harrya: Thank you. 😊

    Reply
  25. harrya

    @Sheila_33: 3/10

    Reply
  26. DTM2025

    @DTM2025: in case you’re wondering why the letter has not came yet. The date next to the letter is when it was mailed out. I’m guessing Monday I will call as that is 2/24. Hopefully is shows in my irs account

    Reply
  27. Jenn1184

    Any idea if CK will deposit over the weekend? DDD 2-26, no fees, no loan but didn’t do the 5 day early thing because I didn’t even notice it as an option..

    Reply
    1
  28. DTM2025

    570 and 971 dated for 2/24/25
    So Friday I called because it’s been 21 days. I was told that the notice will be sent out on 2/24. The rep told me what the notice was but did not go into details. I still have path message
    as of this morning. Just wanted to update my 570/971 peeps. Delayed Never denied. It’s coming.

    Reply
    2
  29. VaGal07

    Good Morning! My WMR updated to reflect transcripts, DDD 2/26. I see I’m also funded with SBTPG. I’ve never been funded this early, it’s always been funded and released the day before my DDD so this is new. I did read somewhere though that they are still not releasing any earlier than they typically do. So I guess they are just sitting on everyone’s money.

    Reply
    3
  30. DTM2025

    @Big ben: the checks come pretty quick honestly. Hopefully you’ll get it before Friday!

    Reply
  31. 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!

    Just for research purposes, for those who updated to the 846’s on your transcripts yesterday, can you share your “as of” dates? Thank you

    Reply
  32. 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!

    @Buckey12: Would you do me a favor and let me know what your “as of” date is on your transcript as of now? I’m looking at something on my daughters transcript.

    Reply
  33. 757vapather

    @Sheila_33: yeappp 2/26 Ddd
    2 bars

    Reply
  34. Blue chyna

    How do we trace the trace number lol

    Reply
    1
  35. Buckey12
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-8
    • Fees:
      In Advance
    • Bank:
      FNB
    • Bars:
      2nd Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-15
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-21
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-26
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20250505
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Mar-10
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-17
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Sheila_33: yes. It’s at 2 bars and gives the usual scheduled/received by for DD. Path message gone.

    Reply
  36. Big ben

    @DTM2025: yep I did and my routing and account number are right. I do know when we had our taxes done we had the firms fees taken out of refund. I’m wondering if Santa Barbara tax group bank there was an issue. How long does it take to receive a mailed check? I’ve always done direct deposit

    Reply
  37. harrya

    TT sucks will not use them again, message today We could not expedite your refund. No 5 day early fee was charged.

    Reply
    6
  38. Got it!

    Also..I did not pay my fees upfront

    Reply
    1
  39. Got it!

    @Jiji: log in and go into the main page of personal taxes and under the progress bar it should say

    Reply
  40. 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!

    @DTM2025: Well, happy for your sis and happy the Wmr is working as it should. :)

    Reply
    1