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. Tonicmo88

    DD is for today on sbtpg. Called this morning even though the website said funded fees paid etc. and they said they hadn’t received it from the IRS yet. Called thirty minutes ago and it now says it has been sent to my bank. Still no tracer number though.

    Reply
    1
  2. LloydChristmas

    TPG is not doing a TPGing job….. I had my 846 code last week and I still haven’t gotten a deposit

    Reply
    2
  3. MSRazorbackPhD
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Bank:
      FDIC Insured

    @Dd: Me either and been using them since TT switched over. Always the day of…🤷🏾‍♀️

    Reply
  4. Ree

    @Chelyn: Someone just posted that they received their deposit and never got a trace number on SBTPG. I have been asking about that also and several have received their deposit without getting it.

    Reply
    1
  5. DD

    @Dd: because people are impatient lol. Everyone wants their money and don’t want to wait for the actual DD. Based off of last year I knew how it was going to be for me. No early deposits here lol.

    Reply
  6. Mandie
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-21
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bars:
      2nd Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-21
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-20
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Chelletered: Me either. I don’t even have a trace number.

    Reply
  7. Dd

    @MSRazorbackPhD: because people are impatient lol. Everyone wants their money and don’t wait for the actual DD. Based off of last year I knew how it was going to be for me. No early deposits here lol.

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

    So, I am confused as to why folks are so mad at CK?

    Reply
  9. DivaLisa in Florida

    MONEY JUST DROPPED
    Chime DDD 2/25
    FEES WITHHELD
    Check your accounts….
    Yayyyyyy!!!! About time
    No tracking number issued btw

    Reply
    3
  10. Ah need daht muhneeeeey

    I just got my CK deposit. I still don’t have a tracking number on SBTPG. My DDD is 2/25. I got two emails from TT. One last night and one at 12:04

    Ching Ching!

    I hope everyone sees progress as well.

    Reply
    1
  11. Str8Nervous

    @Taxmaz tyme: i understand your pain. I’m going thru the same. DDD is today 2/25. Have not seen anything. Got text from TT yesterday around 5:30 Eastern time saying to be on the look at out with my bank account today. That funds were otw. Bank with credit union they don’t hold anything. Still nothing.

    Reply
  12. 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!

    @1Joshua9: did you have a trace number?

    Reply
  13. 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!

    I am closing my ck account after I get my deposit too. I want nothing to do with ck anymore

    Reply
    4
  14. 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!

    @MollyTx: I tried the phone just now as well to see if I got different results than chat. She said they can’t see pending deposits before they post, she sees nothing, it may come later today and to call the depositor. When I told her I already spoke with sbtpg and they said it was sent overnight, she just said oh well, I know it’s important but i see nothing. It also took me 30 min to get thru to a rep. So I know we aren’t the only ones having this issue today. Never again. Never. Again.

    Reply
    2
  15. SickaThisTaxIsh

    CK for DD 2/25 is hitting like crazy! Congrats to everyone! This makes me way less anxious! Tomorrow is our day 2/26. 🎉

    Reply
    4
  16. Josef1511

    @Michael225: not true. Irs sent my
    money on the 20th for deposit through santa bank today. Santa been saying it’s received and they funded me and sent to my bank but nothing. I’m with wells fargo and all my deposits come supper early my ssdi comes 5 days early even. It’s sbtpg bank issue

    Reply
    1
  17. MollyTx

    @shelleybeanss: i just chatted with ck after speaking to sbtpg and got sent in the same circle.. with no real answers ck said it could come late like wtf you mean it could come late.. they said they saw no pending or anything ughhh not next year will definitely use another service

    Reply
    2
  18. Tiffany11

    What does it mean when you call the SBTPG number and you go through the automotive to check the status and it just says “ we have a record of …. Please check with your financial institution “ doesn’t say sent via direct deposit or anything like that

    Reply
  19. Chelletered

    @stephrod101: no I don’t. Been checking regularly.

    Reply
  20. Ash

    2/25 DDD, advance, CK JUST got my deposit.

    Good luck everyone, see you next year!

    Reply
    10
  21. stephrod101

    @1Joshua9: Do you have a trace number with SBTPG?

    Reply
  22. Chelletered

    I’m a 2/26 ddd with ck and nothing

    Reply
    6
  23. 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!

    @wade123: Honestly, in past years, I haven’t seen a quick turnaround with a cp05 unless an advocate was involved.

    Reply
  24. 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!

    Congrats to those getting their 2/26 ck deposits. It truly looks like they completely screwed up all 2/25 deposits. We still waiting and getting no answers

    Reply
    1
  25. 1Joshua9

    Credit karma just deposited
    Ddd 2/26/2025
    Path & advance TT
    Filed/ accepted 1/27
    Wmr 2 bars
    As of 3/10
    Processing 2/24/25
    😁

    Reply
    5
  26. 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!

    Ck insisting they don’t hold deposits. Sbtpg insisting the refund was sent to ck. It’s a gd circle right now. I just want my money. I do not care who messed up at this point. Just fix it 😂

    Reply
    3
  27. Shellysgirl1968

    @Kikachu not logged in: mine has been saying that since 02/13. Alot of people are seeing this

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

    @Taxmaz tyme: It may be a little later today!

    Reply
  29. AngieInMichigan
    • Tax Preparer:
      H&R Block
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-27
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Emerald card
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-28
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-21
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-26
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20250605
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • I Got My Refund!

    Anyone else file with H&R Block? Fees and loan coming from refund. My ddd is 2-26 but the tracker doesn’t show they’ve removed fees yet. The hourglass is yellow. It says it updates once a day at 9am cst so I am guessing it will not update today. Really hoping it isn’t a day late.

    Reply
  30. 757VApather

    @Dd: I’m 2/26 too and I feel like u lol last year my ddd was March 29 n I got it March 29 at 4am ; my only thing is those that are 2/25 and its11am iono wats goin on this year

    Reply
    2
  31. 757VApather

    @Taxmaz tyme: I’m sorry this year is crazy

    Reply
  32. Dd

    Y’all are stressing me out making me nervous lol. I keep reading your post about SBtPG and keep checking the website but when I remember last year they held my money and I didn’t get it until the day of DD. My DD this year is 2/26 and now I’m worried it may not come.

    Reply
    3
  33. Chelletered

    Is there really no one anyone can contact about what’s going on?

    Reply
  34. Ashl3y

    @Graciousgambino: where do we see a tracking number?

    Reply
  35. Ashl3y

    @Taxmaz tyme: same here very frustrating my ddd is 2/26 they haven’t received it but I received a email from turbo tax saying it was sent

    Reply
  36. Taxmaz tyme

    My DDD is TODAY 2/25/25!!!! No trace # !!!! This is soooooo insane. CK has not received my money from SBTPG!!!! Idk what to do

    Reply
    1
  37. 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: Not sure if you saw my post or responded. There are so many pages since I thought it would just be easier to repost. So, I am getting a letter, CP05. I’m told I mat get an update on day 59. Or a new letter CP05A or B, but there is no action needed right now, I just need to wait 60 days. So, does this really take 60 days? I’m not looking at the 1 person who went quickly, I am looking at what happens for most.

    Reply
  38. Jenny04

    @shelleybeanss: ya ive never seen netspend hold a direct deposit at all. my paycheck goes to it every two weeks and never hold it and it comes in 1 or 2 days before my payday so maybe ill get it this afternoon/night, who knows but ya sbtpg says its at my bank… idk anymore

    Reply
    1
  39. Graciousgambino

    @shelleybeanss: that’s messed up they didn’t send 2/25 deposit yet mine is for tomorrow 2/26 I’m funded but no tracking number yet smh

    Reply
    3
  40. Michael225

    I think the IRS is screwing up again which is why people are waiting.. only the IRS can be responsible for this kind of confusion.. they the only ones that cause this unexplainable kind of stuff

    Reply
    2