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
49,260 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. orianasenoj
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Feb-2
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Creditkarma
    • Bars:
      2nd Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Feb-2
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-18
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-24
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • I Got My Refund!

    Question, they are just now sending out my notice and it’s been over a month. Once they send it can I go to my irs account and see the notice?

    Reply
  2. Butterfly01

    @orianasenoj: I sure will

    Reply
    1
  3. orianasenoj
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Feb-2
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Creditkarma
    • Bars:
      2nd Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Feb-2
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-18
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-24
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Ambo: please keep me posted on your process. Paleassseee 🫶🏿

    Reply
  4. orianasenoj
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Feb-2
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Creditkarma
    • Bars:
      2nd Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Feb-2
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-18
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-24
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • I Got My Refund!

    And they never sent a letter and it’s been over a month like what?! So if you have no movement it’s most likely I’d verify. Call a TA everyone

    Reply
  5. orianasenoj
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Feb-2
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Creditkarma
    • Bars:
      2nd Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Feb-2
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-18
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-24
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • I Got My Refund!

    Guess what?!? ID verify lmao like what with a PIN I still have to. They said I have to wait two weeks for the letter to verify. Ughhhhhhhh

    Reply
  6. orianasenoj
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Feb-2
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Creditkarma
    • Bars:
      2nd Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Feb-2
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-18
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-24
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • I Got My Refund!

    I will give everyone the info I get from the TA as soon as we’re finished. I’m over it atp

    Reply
    1
  7. orianasenoj
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Feb-2
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Creditkarma
    • Bars:
      2nd Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Feb-2
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-18
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-24
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • I Got My Refund!

    How do I talk to a human at IRS everybody because now I’m irritated my friend got hers back in a few days

    Reply
    1
  8. orianasenoj
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Feb-2
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Creditkarma
    • Bars:
      2nd Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Feb-2
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-18
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-24
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Butterfly01: my bestfriend got hers back and she filed in march

    Reply
  9. Butterfly01

    @Ambo: I’m weekly too my as of date has been saying 3/3 for the longest hopefully it will update soon…

    Reply
  10. Butterfly01

    @Ambo: On WMR it’s saying. Your tax return is still being processed. A refund date will be provided when available. For more information about processing delays, please see our Refund Frequently Asked Questions. It’s been saying that since I filled

    Reply
  11. Butterfly01

    @orianasenoj: Thus is the worse tax season ever, Everyone is complaining and having to Id verify… They need to get it together

    Reply
    2
  12. DeLectable2U
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Feb-4
    • Fees:
      In Advance
    • Bank:
      BOFA
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Feb-4
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20251205
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Apr-7
    • I Got My Refund!

    Hi family.
    Verified ID online, still had to REQUEST letter that was NEVER received in the first place. Requested letter 2 weeks ago, received it on 3/16. (Letter dated 3/13).

    My best luck to speak to someone was to call between 6 – 6:30pm CST. If queue is full, try a few mins later. If wait is long, they can issue a system callback. Last night, my callback time was 7:27, but call came @ 7:15.

    Agent gave typical 9-week time frame, but peeps on here seem to experience 5 – 14 day turnaround time. FINGERS & TOES CROSSED!

    Reply
    2
  13. orianasenoj
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Feb-2
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Creditkarma
    • Bars:
      2nd Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Feb-2
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-18
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-24
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Butterfly01: mine just updated to that and I filed Feb 14th. This is insane this year and I knew it would be tbh with the administration we have. Hope people are opening eyes.

    Reply
    1
  14. Butterfly01

    @orianasenoj: Mines was on O since I filled and was accepted on Jan 24

    Reply
    1
  15. Ambo

    @Butterfly01: I do. I verified on 3/7 in person also.
    This past Thursday my status did change to is being processed instead of still being processed and my as of date did update to 3/31
    I’m an ‘05 hopefully I update this Friday with a DDD.
    Keep me posted and I’ll do the same

    Reply
    2
  16. orianasenoj
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Feb-2
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Creditkarma
    • Bars:
      2nd Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Feb-2
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-18
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-24
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • I Got My Refund!

    Seems they are working on my return there are zeros by some things note hopefully this Friday. If not by the as off date I’m finally going to call

    Reply
  17. Tyler white

    @Amaristone12: it won’t show on ssa, but it is reported on a 1099 to the irs, you will see this under your wage transcripts when they update later in the year.

    Reply
  18. Tyler White

    @Amaristone12: your unemployment is taxable income (but it’s not earned income) from working a job because of this reason it doesn’t count towards your social security work credits so it will not show on ssa.

    Reply
  19. Butterfly01

    Does anyone Transcripts still have O, or saying no record of return being filed after you Id verify.

    Reply
    5
  20. Butterfly01

    @derek5248:
    when did you verify.. I verified on 3/7

    Reply
  21. gemsbright

    preperation meets opportunity

    Reply
  22. Amaristone12

    @Tyler white: thank you for that, I also checked the SS website to make sure my numbers were correct and they were. If my unemployment is considered income, wouldn’t it had been on my SS income for 2024

    Reply
  23. Tyler white

    @Amari Stone: I know not directed at me, but yes unemployment is considered taxable income

    Reply
    1
  24. Amari Stone

    @Lei: hey quick question I to have code 570. They said it’s on a 60 day review but all my numbers add up and I did receive unemployment last year but I chose not to have taxes taken out. Should I have put that info on my taxes as income?

    Reply
  25. Amari Stone

    Has anyone ever had code 570 and still received your refund and if so how long did it take? I’ve had it since February and I’m cycle 05

    Reply
    1
  26. Tyler white

    @Montana.NotSignedIn: not sure if your transcripts are blank or not, but if not and you can see code 150 the number directly under that is your control number to verify.

    Reply
  27. Tyler white

    @Qteepie77: if you have at least some part of a transcript and it’s not all 0’s then you control number is the 14 digit number under your 150 code. You won’t have to wait on the letter

    Reply
  28. Nat Bat

    @Lei: same thing for me. 570 appeared on 2/7 and never went away. Date next to 570 was 2/24 and still hasn’t changed. As of date is 3/10 and I didn’t see anything change at all last Friday and I doubt I’ll see anything this Friday. This happened year before last to me and I didn’t see my return until first of April so I’m expecting the same this year.

    Reply
    1
  29. DoNotKnowWhatToDo

    @Lei: Thank you

    Reply
    1
  30. Qteepie77

    @DariausKirk: did you get a notice? I have yet to get one yet website says I need some stupid control number I’m sick of this crap already I didn’t get mine last year and this sucks

    Reply
    2
  31. Qteepie77

    I’m in IRS hell!!!! I verified last year only to be told to amend my return! Accepted 2/17 as of today NO notice to verify yet again, yet it states this on the website. No notices mailed or posted. Can’t get through to speak to anyone please someone help

    Reply
    1
  32. Lei

    @DoNotKnowWhatToDo: Try 866-682-7451 with ext: 569, I got an agent in about 5 minutes with that one.

    Reply
    1
  33. inpatientlyWaiting25

    I opted to use the credit karma money card, when my refund arrived to them, the account had been closed. it was received on February 26th and they stated they mailed me a check February 28th but I had to wait 7-10 business days to receive it. The problem is that time frame is up and there is no check that has come to our box. we have informed delivery. I have reached out to credit karma several times, and each time they just ask me to wait another day)any suggestions on what could be done.

    Reply
  34. DariausKirk

    I verified a couple days ago, any insight on how long until I get my refund now? I been waiting almost 2 months.

    Reply
    1
  35. MorgyDoodle

    I did get a letter yesterday from IRS confirming that I had ID verified online and nothing else needed at this time.
    are y’all getting these confirmation letters too?

    Reply
    4
  36. derek5248

    @Nickp1: Mine took 2 weeks after I verified to be approved.

    Reply
    1
  37. Nickp1

    @Montana.NotSignedIn: I got my letter 10 days after they mailed it and I verified online and now I was told by the advocate that it will take up to 8 weeks. Hopefully that’s not true.

    Reply
    3
  38. Nickp1

    If they say most receive the return in 21 days but you wait 60 days for a verification letter then they say 9 more weeks. What the hell is that garbage.

    Reply
    2
  39. DoNotKnowWhatToDo

    Has anyone used the secured messaging on irs account to ask for an update on return? I’ve tried calling can’t seem to get a human. Filed/accepted 1/31 received 12c letter 2/25 requesting 1095A uploaded same day. Return still not processed do not have transcripts for 2024. WMR has this message for almost 3 weeks.

    We have reviewed your return and any information we may have requested from you and are now processing your return. Any changes to the status of your refund, including any new refund date, will be reflected here when any new update is available.

    Please read the following information related to your tax situation:
    Tax Topic 152, Refund Information

    Reply
  40. Montana.NotSignedIn

    Requested replacement id verify letter two weeks ago, still haven’t received it. Filed 2/2. Got id verify notice on account 3/11, requested replacement letter, still nothing. My mom received and successfully verified on last Tuesday (we filed and got id verify notice online same dates). My AS OF had been stuck at 2/24/25 but updated this past Friday to 3/31/25. Any ideas how I can get the letter?

    Reply
    2