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. Sheleking103
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-28
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Capital One
    • Bars:
      No Bars-PATH Act Message
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-28
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-21
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      05
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      May-5
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-17
    • I Got My Refund!

    Hi guys! More good news! My DDD is 2/26. When I checked TT, it said I wouldn’t be charged for the five-day early deposit, but my refund is in my account as of this morning, five days early!!! I hope you guys with DDDs this week have it, too! As always, it’s been real and see you next year!!❤️

    Reply
    5
  2. 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!

    Wow…either treasury sent early or my bank is honoring notification. 1st time ever they deposited before date.

    Reply
    2
  3. Blessed2bme89

    I guess I’m still waiting 1 week down 8 weeks to go 😭

    Reply
    1
  4. Plantmom1130

    @Dee: A number assigned to electronic payment. It allows bank to track the movement of funds.

    Reply
    3
  5. Clos

    For those waiting for money. I have a regular credit union bank and my DDD is for 26th. They never release it early no matter what. They said they follow the date the IRS DDD. Ive had SBTG years ago and they always followed the same thing. Legally they dont have to release it early. Yes it sucks but we have no control over it.

    Reply
    5
  6. Omega dread from Florida

    To those who have dates just be patient it’s coming. Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday gonna be happy days so be calm be cool that paper coming. Then we can sit back count that money and enjoy.

    Reply
    3
  7. Kara

    @Blue Chyna: me too!!!! 😭 i was really hoping for it for the weekend.

    Reply
    2
  8. Blue Chyna

    @Kara: I’m hoping today

    Reply
    1
  9. Kara

    Hey guys, if my SBTPG shows funded and there is a trace number does that mean I should receive it today? My DDD is 02/24 but just wondering if I will receive it early lol

    Reply
    4
  10. mickey m
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-29
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Credit Karma checking
    • Bars:
      3rd Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-29
    • Date Approved:
      Mar-21
    • WMR Date:
      Mar-26
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20251205
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Apr-7
    • Processing Date:
      Apr-15
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Frost87: I have no idea what the problem is I also file the same every year. I don’t understand why it takes so long to issue a notice if that’s what there going to do.

    Reply
  11. Dee

    What is a trace number??

    Reply
  12. Dee

    @Plantmom1130: what is a trace number

    Reply
  13. Tiff83828929

    How long after funded on SBTPG to expect refund using cashapp?

    Reply
    1
  14. Frost87

    @mickey m: nothing about that first part but the rest of it saying that they received it and are in the process of reviewing it (for whatever reason) it’s giving me a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach… I have no kids I claimed no credits and my same preparer has been doing my taxes for about 10 years now. I have a IP pin so there is no chance of fraud. It’s almost the same as every other year but I will be making an effort to contact them if I don’t get anything by the Third of March. I filed as of the 29th of January.

    Reply
  15. Meme04

    @Plantmom1130: same

    Reply
  16. Tired of waiting

    So I’m just going to assume there won’t be any weekend deposits from chime?

    Reply
    3
  17. Plantmom1130

    Credit Karma
    Filed and accepted on 01/29
    No advance or 5day early-fees paid with taxes
    Received code 846 on Wednesday 02/19
    Cycle code ending in 605
    SBTPG funded 02/19 around 7pm
    Trace number appeared last night
    DDD 2/24

    This will be the last time I file with TT and not pay fees upfront. I’ve done this every year and have always received my DD 2days early. I’m shocked that they are holding our money. I’ve seen people who transcripts updated after me with a later DDD received their refund. Life has become increasingly difficult in every way, so to hold on to money when they’ve received their fees is disappointing to say the least. Hoping the wait is over soon for all of us.

    Reply
    3
  18. Jiji

    Also note. I guess since I had no fees, IRS is sending mine on Monday, as my processing date shows 02/24 refund date shows 02/26

    Reply
  19. Madinjay

    Checked transcripts
    Code 570
    Code 971

    Yet it shows 3/10/2025 what does this mean?

    Reply
    1
  20. 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!

    @Morris: I’m seeing dailies with a 2/24 DDD that still haven’t received theirs either, if they had fees coming out. They were hoping they’d get it yesterday since it was technically one business day before Monday the 24th….but nothing yet. Even for dailies, it seems to be those third party banks that are holding money into the day of, or just one day before 😒

    Reply
    5
  21. Big ben

    @DTM2025: thank you very much:) I did reach out to my enrolled agent that did our taxes and he pulled up our direct deposit info and said everything looked good with that. He pulled up the sbtpg and said it’s showing as pending and didn’t understand why wmr listed as it being mailed. He said that he never experienced any problems like that and that there might be an error with wmr. Or the irs put in the wrong number

    Reply
  22. MSRazorbackPhD
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Bank:
      FDIC Insured

    FWIW-Ours also shows FUNDED but post dated 02/26!

    Reply
    1
  23. MSRazorbackPhD
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Bank:
      FDIC Insured

    Popup on SBTPG:

    ATTENTION
    If you see a Funded refund status below, scroll down to the “Amount(s) paid to you” and look for the “Date posted” to see when the IRS will pay your refund. This is the date the IRS has provided that they will pay your refund.

    Reply
    1
  24. Yours saying there's a chance

    Woke up to;
    WMR Refund Approved
    Your tax refund is scheduled to be sent to your bank by Feburary 26, 2025. Does by mean possibly Monday?

    Reply
    7
  25. Morris

    HRBlock said my refund is processing.

    Reply
    1
  26. Blue chyna

    @Jiji: wow

    Reply
  27. Jiji

    Just got off of the phone with turbo tax. She said, basically every one kept calling about the issue date on transcripts but their system is notified by WMR. Since they kept getting calls they are refunding the $25 and I need to wait for the IRS to actually fund my refund. Essentially if you paid fees out of the refund it was sent immediately. I advised her WMR has never updated for me, with refund in account. She hung up on me😭

    Reply
    3
  28. Snaps

    @Jenn1184 CK is NHB but I do not know if they post on weekends. My deposits tend to be late afternoon / early evening (EST) – but always early (2-5 days)

    Reply
    4
  29. ImpatientlyWaiting2024

    @Sheila_33: No, I had business loss but, I file my business every year. The 570 is 0.00 between the 766 and 768. 768 is the last code that posted.

    Reply
  30. OLTFREEFILER
    • Tax Preparer:
      Other
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-26
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      WellsFargo
    • Bars:
      2nd Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-27
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-21
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-26
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      0505
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Mar-10
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-17
    • I Got My Refund!

    undoubtedly wellsfargo doesn’t deposit on Saturday,not seen any 2/26ers there yet

    Reply
  31. mickey m
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-29
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Credit Karma checking
    • Bars:
      3rd Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-29
    • Date Approved:
      Mar-21
    • WMR Date:
      Mar-26
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20251205
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Apr-7
    • Processing Date:
      Apr-15
    • I Got My Refund!

    I filed 1/29 accepted same day my transcripts are blank. I have no notices I called a TA yesterday who could only tell me wait for a notice and call back if I don’t have it in 14 days the following message is on WMR does anyone know what it means or if I have to ID verify:Action Required
    Please read the following information related to your tax situation. You may need to provide additional information to receive your full refund.

    We received your tax return and are reviewing it. If we need additional information, we’ll mail a notice with further instructions.
    If you’ve already received a notice, please follow the instructions.

    If we determine no additional information is needed, we’ll continue to process your refund

    Reply
  32. OLTFREEFILER
    • Tax Preparer:
      Other
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-26
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      WellsFargo
    • Bars:
      2nd Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-27
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-21
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-26
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      0505
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Mar-10
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-17
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Jay: Congrats! mines wellsfargo and nothing for a 2/26ddd ,hope Monday!

    Reply
    1
  33. Blue Chyna

    @Meme04: same here got trace at like 11 cst here n still no deposit my first grandson was born today a month early! So I’m trying to run around and get stuff for my daughter and him I need my money smh

    Reply
    3
  34. Must be the money!!

    Anyone with Capital One receive their refund? I usually get paid a couple of days early. My DDD is 2/25

    Reply
  35. Missty

    Funded since Wednesday on SBTPG still no trace number DDD 2/25 CK TT fees through refund almost at the home stretch guys

    Reply
    3
  36. Mina Mina

    @Jay: yes my daughter did

    Reply
    1
  37. Meme04

    Do CK deposit on Saturdays?

    Reply
    2
  38. Meme04

    @Chelyn: I was funded Wednesday, got my trace number last night, still no dd.

    Reply
    2
  39. Keyzz904

    @TinaR: don’t even look at WMR, check your transcript. WMR is never accurate. Every year I file its still on first or second bar when I have already received my refund.

    Reply
    1
  40. Snaps

    There are 2 days to get the “up to 5 days early” with TT; only 1 of them involves “Cross River” and NEITHER of them involve SBTPG.

    1. No fee – Deposit to your CK account and pay filing fees up front.

    2. $25 Fee – Deposit to any account and pay filing fees up front. Cross River is the 3rd party who acts similar to a NHB by funding your TFI (or any account!) “up to 5 days early”.

    SBTPG is only for advance or paying fees from refund. They pay NHB 1 day early. Don’t get consumed with funding status/trace numbers – this is irrelevant to us end users.

    Reply
    5