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
49,250 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. First time 123

    What’s the number to talk to a human

    Reply
  2. Keanu

    Anyone have a 570 code with a $0.00 amount?

    Reply
    1
  3. Madinjay

    @Frostyjewel: mine just hit 4/23

    Reply
  4. Ree

    @Frostyjewel: today 4/23

    Reply
  5. Frostyjewel

    I e-filed my taxes with Turbo Tax with refund sent to Credit Karma account on 4/08/25 and accepted same day 4/8/25 my refund was approved 4/15/25 with code 846 for DD 4/23/25. When can I expect to see it in my account.

    Reply
    1
  6. Ree

    @Ambo: no they will ask for the control number on the letter but you can look under letters and notices on the website that you view your transcripts to see if you can view the letter if you have online letters settings but I have it and mine didn’t show I had to wait for it in the mail

    Reply
  7. Ambo

    I’m helping someone with her taxes. She’s obviously on ID verify.
    It’s showing no tax return filed. Someone posted awhile back that if you’re on ID verify with blank transcripts there’s a way to get your number to be able to verify your identity without waiting on the letter. Help anyone? Tia

    Reply
  8. sgorham29
    • Tax Preparer:
      Other
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-29
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-29
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20240705
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Mar-4
    • Processing Date:
      Mar-4
    • Tax Refund Offset
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Madinjay: YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Reply
    1
  9. Madinjay

    @sgorham29: fantastic and yes so was mine! Hoping everyone else gets some good news soon. I’m still waiting for 2 more years but this is a good start!!

    Reply
    1
  10. sgorham29
    • Tax Preparer:
      Other
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-29
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-29
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20240705
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Mar-4
    • Processing Date:
      Mar-4
    • Tax Refund Offset
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Madinjay: The WMR refund updated this morning, I had 846 yesterday with no approval on WMR this morning it was there!!

    Reply
    1
  11. Nat Bat

    @Lei: no updates for me either. Still have 570. Only thing is my as of date moved from 4/21 to 5/5 now. I don’t think they’ll ever get this resolved. Did you check and make sure your wages all matched up? That’s how I found the issue with mine.

    Reply
    1
  12. Lei

    @IAMHeiress: I’ve had a 570code for over 60 days. Still no 971, still no letter. When I call they tell me there is nothing they need. Last time I called, they told me to call back after June 6th if I still have no DD date.

    Reply
  13. Madinjay

    @Lei: thank my transcripts updated but the wmr is still the same, Transcripts now has 846 code but I will see

    Reply
    1
  14. IAMHeiress

    Has anyone else experienced the 570/971, two different dates, with processing, 570 and all credit dates passed, yet no other updates, letters or information as to why their refund is being held, after income/withholding and identity verified??

    Reply
    0
  15. Lei

    Another Friday with no changes for me. The as of date is even still the same. It is disappointing, and I do not expect it to get any better for those of us still waiting since they are doing more IRS layoffs next week.

    Reply
  16. Lei

    @Madinjay: Congratulations! I know seeing your DD date must have taken a lot of stress off.

    Reply
    1
  17. Ree

    @Madinjay: well, thank God I’m so happy that you were able to get your date. I just saw on my transcript that the as of day was pushed out to May 5 but nothing else changed. I still have the 570 and nothing else so I guess I’ll just keep waiting and I’m a weekly.

    Reply
  18. Madinjay

    @Ree: I hadn’t the checked since 7 this morning then the system was down and I went back to check and it was there

    Reply
    1
  19. Ree

    @Madinjay: your DD? Did it just update in the middle of the day or you just hadn’t checked it?

    Reply
  20. Madinjay

    @Ree: I just checked my date is 4/23 to god be the glory!! No updates yet on the others yet. Hopefully you update as well!

    Reply
  21. Madinjay

    @Ree: 971 on 2024 599 on 2022 and nothing on 2019

    Reply
  22. Madinjay

    @smallrefund: depends on the state you live in

    Reply
  23. sgorham29
    • Tax Preparer:
      Other
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-29
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-29
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20240705
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Mar-4
    • Processing Date:
      Mar-4
    • Tax Refund Offset
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Gettingrealbrokehere: Side note: This is the current message on the IRS website “Account Features Limited Due to Partial Outage
    While you can still access your account, some features are unavailable, including Account Balance and Payment History. If you don’t see what you need, please come back later” so you may update later today or tomorrow morning

    Reply
  24. sgorham29
    • Tax Preparer:
      Other
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-29
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-29
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20240705
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Mar-4
    • Processing Date:
      Mar-4
    • Tax Refund Offset
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Gettingrealbrokehere: I am praying hard for you!!! Hold on it is coming. This is my 5th year with delays and problems this year I decided to turn it over to God and he came thru!!!!

    Reply
    1
  25. clueless

    @Annoyed with stupid questions: LIES!!

    Reply
  26. Annoyed with stupid questions

    @clueless: months

    Reply
  27. clueless

    How long does it take to get your state refund back from Illinois?

    Reply
  28. Gettingrealbrokehere

    @sgorham29: congratulations! I’m in same situation but did not update . I have a math error also I have a corrected w2 and was going to amend but the rep said there’s no need it will take longer and that it’s already assigned to a team that will fix it the math error and send me a letter. I filed 1/28 verified 2/7 stuck on 570 since 2/17

    Reply
    2
  29. smallrefund

    I just filed my state on the 15th and was accepted. When do you think I should have my refund?

    Reply
  30. sgorham29
    • Tax Preparer:
      Other
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-29
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-29
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20240705
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Mar-4
    • Processing Date:
      Mar-4
    • Tax Refund Offset
    • I Got My Refund!

    Currently the IRS website has a message stating they have an outage I checked early this morning and only my transcript updated and it has the 846!!! WMR still has not updated, just an FYI: F/A January 28th with injured spouse form, got the 971 notice issued for 3/10 (math error) all I would ever get is the as of date change the entire time: 3/10/ 3/17 3/24 3/31 4/7 4/14 4/21 and finally with 846 for 4/25/2025!! To God be the Glory!! So hold on it’s coming

    Reply
    1
  31. Ree

    @Madinjay: do you have anything on your transcripts? Any codes? I have 570 and the process date is 4/14 as of date is now may8 it just keeps pushing out smh I’m furious because I verified over a month ago and my cycle code is 1305

    Reply
  32. Madinjay

    @Ree: I don’t even have a date that’s what’s crazy! They said once they received my returns from the previous years they would release this year and they haven’t. It’s been over 6 weeks. 2 weeks ago I was told there’s no reason for the hold at this point but I should have mid May.

    Reply
  33. Ree

    @Madinjay: I know every week my ass date was pushing out more and more this time. I don’t see any change at all.

    Reply
  34. Madinjay

    @Ree: Nope!! This is beyond annoying!

    Reply
  35. Ree

    Anyone update tonight?

    Reply
  36. Ree

    @Madinjay: yep

    Reply
  37. Madinjay

    @Ree: No just mentally drained from all the waiting BS… I was definitely thinking the same thing

    Reply
    1
  38. Madinjay

    @Ree: I was saying the same thing! But I think we’re just mentally drained waiting

    Reply
    1
  39. Ree

    Sure is quiet on here… everybody must have their money 🤣

    Reply
    2
  40. @Samy

    @Snoopy24: Sorry please, When did you filed?

    Reply