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
49,356 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. Nobodyputsbabyinthecorner
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-8
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Uber
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-17
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20250505
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Feb-24
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-17
    • I Got My Refund!

    All my fellow DDD 2/26s getting deposits and Im just sitting here like dayumm what about me lol.
    I got TT email at 7:30 EST yesterday and TRACE at 11pm yesterday and still nothing in my bank account :(

    Reply
    1
  2. Jessica C

    Im so happy yall are getting it…
    I’m not getting mine any time soon. I paid fees upfront. No offsets no advances
    Going to my no hold card that I get govt checks on … Should’ve been in my account on Friday… Today is my DDD and I know it’s not coming.
    Irs is forcing me to wait until next week to trace it

    Reply
    2
  3. Quana

    Trace number finally as of 1:12pm EST. Email yesterday @ 118pm about my refund being in the way. Hopefully it’s by 5pm 🤞🏾🤞🏾🤞🏾

    Reply
    2
  4. Jenny04

    @If only…: great!! I wish I did… not me yet… hope I do soon

    Reply
    1
  5. StuckinNC

    @If only…: Thanks fam!

    Reply
    1
  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!

    @StuckinNC: https://taxpayer.sbtpg.com/login enter in your info, scroll down to where it says amount paid to you. If you have a trace number, it will be listed under where it says “Checking *1234” (or whatever the last four of your bank account number is)

    Reply
    1
  7. optivity69

    Boom baby it’s just hit!
    @Chelynn: yes

    Reply
    1
  8. If only...
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Feb-7
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Netspend- Bancorp
    • Bars:
      What Bars?
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      05
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • I Got My Refund!

    Netspend- Bancorp I just got my dd!

    Reply
    2
  9. Chelynn

    @Mandie: yeah same here. I got my email and trace number yesterday and still nothing in ck

    Reply
    2
  10. If only...
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Feb-7
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Netspend- Bancorp
    • Bars:
      What Bars?
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      05
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • I Got My Refund!

    @StuckinNC: Here’s the website https://taxpayer.sbtpg.com/login

    Reply
    1
  11. JustAmy

    @If only…: yes I did. I don’t know exactly when it populated because I wasn’t looking for it last night. I just noticed it was there this morning.

    Reply
    1
  12. Tbatchlor

    @Melissa14572: I just got my Social Security waiting on tax refund

    Reply
    1
  13. 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!

    I got my trace number yesterday but nothing yet on CK 🙃

    Reply
    3
  14. StuckinNC

    How u do u login to SBTPG, to check for trace # and see if fees paid. Sorry in advance new here.

    Reply
    1
  15. hellolo

    just got my trace# yay!! i have chime ddd 2/26.

    Reply
    1
  16. If only...
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Feb-7
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Netspend- Bancorp
    • Bars:
      What Bars?
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      05
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • I Got My Refund!

    I just got the trace!

    Reply
    5
  17. Pettypeas

    Ddd 02/26..tt.ck.pather..had advance abd fees paid with return..just got trace number on sbtg.

    Reply
    6
  18. Denise S N

    @Christina032: what bank

    Reply
    1
  19. SickaThisTaxIsh

    Welp! Finally got my trace # in the last 1/2 hour. No deposits yet 😪

    Reply
    4
  20. Denise S N

    @Dentonj88: no waiting

    Reply
    2
  21. Ryan77

    Just got my trace 20 mins ago ddd26 with advance n
    ow waiting for it to hit Ck

    Reply
    6
  22. Lalaa
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-19
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Cash App
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-21
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      05
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Mar-10
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-17
    • I Got My Refund!

    @If only…: yes saw my trace number at like 6am

    Reply
    1
  23. Mary

    @Chelynn they did say they were with CK

    Reply
    1
  24. Zeethegeek979

    CK just hit for me
    10:50am EST
    See y’all next year!

    Reply
    3
  25. If only...
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Feb-7
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Netspend- Bancorp
    • Bars:
      What Bars?
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      05
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • I Got My Refund!

    Any Netspend yet?

    Reply
    2
  26. Melissa14572

    Update: I just got my return posted in ck but still waiting for my social security death benefits. Ck just must be so bogged down. So there is hope. Also I didn’t get a trace number either.

    Reply
    2
  27. Dentonj88

    Anyone w Chime, fees from refund get theirs yet?

    Reply
    2
  28. Mary

    I don’t think your user name will go thru our filter controls, if you want to post try a different user name

    Reply
    1
  29. Chelynn

    @optivity69: ck?

    Reply
    1
  30. kadeebug123
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Feb-5
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Traditional
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Feb-5

    Mine finally posted!
    12pm eastern time to my traditional bank! WTH SANTA BARBARA DONT EVER DO THAT TO US AGAIN!

    Reply
    5
  31. optivity69

    Boom baby it’s just hit!

    Reply
    1
  32. JustHeretoBreath

    @Happy: i get you happy, im so mad at this institution that im thinking the moment i get my money im moving it all. Say I got $5k they take 1.75% if I move out the money to my Capital card —that’s like almost $90 to credit karma. Darn

    Reply
    1
  33. Melissa14572

    @Tbatchlor: my refund haunted posted and my social security death benefits hasn’t posted either.

    Reply
    1
  34. California girl83

    @757VApather: Thanks!! I hope get yours soon 🤞🏾

    Reply
    1
  35. Happy

    I wouldn’t transfer money out using a debit card and pay Credit Karma any more money. I would do it through checking for free. Keep some to spend and the rest to another better bank. Spend the rest of the credit karma and close the stitch.

    Reply
    3
  36. harrya

    Mine just got deposited in bank but its pending why i dont know

    Reply
    1
  37. Hellolo

    Come on chime 🤗

    Reply
    3
  38. Tbatchlor

    Something wrong with CK my Socail Security check hasn’t post. Still waiting on tax refund DD 02/26

    Reply
    2
  39. If only...
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Feb-7
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Netspend- Bancorp
    • Bars:
      What Bars?
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      05
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Lalaa: Did you have the trace number?

    Reply
    1
  40. Christina032

    My deposit just arrived. Had the 5 day early rejected and just received my deposit on day of.

    Reply
    3