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. PathActDemolitioner2025

    @Tiffffany: Yes! It comes back and goes away again. I do remember this being a thing when we were waiting to be funded in the past years…so I am sure it has something to do with an update. So here’s to hope!

    Reply
    2
  2. Tiffffany

    Anyone else’s SBTPG still bouncing in between unknown ? I’m so confused and it’s making me worry

    Reply
    6
  3. Loganlee143

    @Quana: ooo that would be nice!

    Reply
    1
  4. EricaChristyne

    Hey, all. So I know why I have the 570. LOL.. I missed a small W2 and wrong EIN cause Walgreens was taking so damn long. LOLOL Should I amend or will they fix that? It’s just a tiny W2 of only $19.00 which makes a $55.00 different in my income with the SSA and they would owe me $29.00. LOL.. I don’t know what to do. I hope it doesn’t take so long.

    Reply
  5. Quana

    @Loganlee143: is that on SBTPG??? If so, you’ll probably be getting your money today. It did that to me last yr. It kept bouncing between funded and unknown. That’s how I knew a update was coming and then my money. Good luck 🤞🏾

    Reply
    4
  6. CaseyR8515

    @Starchild1111: H&R Block uses Pathway. I called the number and they have had the money since Friday.

    It says it’s posted on my emerald card 2/25

    That feels like an H & R Block issue. They have it. They took their fees. They aren’t collecting interest. The money should be there but they aren’t releasing until the day the IRS listed on the website.

    JH used to post the day before at least. I’m just frustrated

    Reply
  7. PathActDemolitioner2025

    @Dime: I keep checking for my amount paid to you to come back and it has yet to. I heard they have another batch going out like 4:30 so maybe its the gear up for that…hell, idk anymore yall! CDFU!

    Reply
    1
  8. Starchild1111

    @CaseyR8515: exactly fees been paid since we’d it says on my sbgt screen same as last year I saw mine on a sat the 22nd ion know what sbgt got going on but whomever I r s hands the funds to need to get it together it’s def not our banks how are everybody’s banks the early ones holding all of a sudden that wouldn’t be using common sense nor the tax preparers it’s between irs bs and the bank rhey bank with that got our funds it’s plains rediculous my reg check hit before my tax refund it’s hella late

    Reply
    1
  9. Dime

    @pastelito: I’m in the same boat. Everything was there two hours ago but now 0.00 and can’t use transcripts or wmr site. Come on chime

    Reply
  10. Freddie G

    Does anyone know number to speak to someone IRS

    Reply
  11. Loganlee143

    My sbtpg has been funded since Friday DDD 2/26 and now it has 0.00 and everything says unknown. Love that.

    Reply
    3
  12. Brown_eyed girl

    Yay my waiting game is done chime has successfully deposited all my money into my account as of 1 o’clock this afternoon. I filed with H&R Block had fees taken out and also have the path act. My money was scheduled to come Wednesday 2/28 but came earlier. Good luck to those still waiting.

    Reply
    4
  13. Coldinpanot logged in

    Hello, I’ve been lurking all season( can’t sign in for some reason). Last time I checked my transcripts was Friday evening. Just check right now and I have a 846 for 2/27. Totally shocked me,was not expe tung anything until at least tomorrow. Filed 2/13

    Reply
    6
  14. 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!

    Checked SBTPG amount paid to me is $0.00 I also tried checking my Transcripts and it says there is an outage ?can’t remember what it said but I couldn’t see my transcripts. So I’m still waiting too *sigh*

    Reply
  15. Starchild1111

    @CaseyR8515: I don’t think it’s our preparers I believe it’s sbtg cus soemthign ain’t right they doing some special stuff this. Season with holding folk funds every year I see mine on 22 no if’s and or butts about it may not be hr block I things it’s the bank the irs funds first

    Reply
  16. Morris

    Good luck to the ones that are still waiting.

    Reply
    1
  17. Morris

    @Morris: HRBlock, but I’m switching next year they are too slow. I wanted my refund last week but it’s finally over I got it already.

    Reply
  18. Morris

    @Jaynsyncere: No I did my return with HRlock

    Reply
  19. Jiji

    @Patrice: NOOOOO😩😩

    Reply
  20. Morris

    @SamfromMA: I see u finally got yours Congrates.

    Reply
  21. PathActDemolitioner2025

    Both of my amounts paid are blank and not bouncing back…I doubt I will get a tracer but it does show they are actively working to get things moving.

    Reply
    1
  22. CaseyR8515

    @ImCASHINout🤑: well congrats

    I’d love for mine to come today but since the number says it posted 2/25 I’m guessing nothing until tomorrow and that’s just depressing.

    Never using H & R Block again.

    Reply
    2
  23. 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!

    @Jessica C: IRS sent it Friday, your bank has to accept it and release it.

    Reply
  24. ImCASHINout🤑

    @CaseyR8515: my DDD was 2/26

    Reply
  25. Omega dread from Florida

    @CaseyR8515: 2pac said keep ya head up. Lol but it’s coming and we all gonna be happy

    Reply
    2
  26. Mistyrenee

    My amount paid to me is back up on SBTPG, and still no trace number…I was really hoping.

    Reply
    1
  27. Jessica C

    @Jaynsyncere: my bank doesn’t hold it… It’s an early release card
    I get govt checks to this card every month 5 days before im supposed to.

    Reply
    2
  28. Jaynsyncere

    @Jessica C: The IRS has sent it, it’s your bank at this point

    Reply
  29. Jessica C

    DDD 2/26
    NHB
    Fees paid upfront
    STILL NO DEPOSIT!!!
    No offsets, no advances… No nothing… Just need the IRS to send it

    Reply
    1
  30. Jaynsyncere

    @Morris: I can’t remember but did you do the 5 day early?

    Reply
  31. CaseyR8515

    @Omega dread from Florida: I’m definitely losing hope for today

    They took my damn fees already, money should be in the bank. Smh.

    Reply
    1
  32. Bobeatz

    @stephrod101: exactly!

    Reply
  33. Tyrone_biggums

    Looks like some deposits are about to start dropping, sb is updating

    Reply
    1
  34. Jaynsyncere

    @Miami-Dade305: Did you pay fees, 5 day early, advance?

    Reply
  35. PathActDemolitioner2025

    @stephrod101: I can say from past years of experience with them…they are definitely updating something. The thing is, it’s false early hope for some because it doesn’t necessarily mean an update for everyone. I am DDD 2/26 but I am so use to the f*ckery that is SBTPG that I don’t expect or even hope for my refund until 2/26.

    Reply
    1
  36. 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: Hi Sheila, I think it’s going to be ok. Since I did not have any withholdings and my employer did not pay his share of the FICA like they should have, because I have expenses, he guided me to complete a schedule C which once provided to him, he can amend my return and I am still getting my return because the amount was so little it equates to net income loss. Imagine that the IRS teaching me how to cheat. Said its easier than hunting down a bankrupt and defunct company,

    Reply
  37. Omega dread from Florida

    @CaseyR8515: maybe later tonight or in the am for us

    Reply
  38. stephrod101

    @bobeatz: Its glitching probably from the high traffic of people going in and checking. If they would release our $$$ then we would not have to check.

    Reply
    3
  39. Tiff123

    Now it won’t even let me log in!

    Reply
    1
  40. Mistyrenee

    Okay, it definitely has to be glitching out. Lol It’s going back and forth between the amount and unknown and funded and unfunded, and I’m not even refreshing the browser.

    Reply
    2