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
34,969 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 began accepting tax returns this year on January 29, 2024.

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 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. TTOhio

    @Vicandy321: no, sorry, I am showing one bar on wmr but tt still says pending. No deposit yet. I’m guessing it’s triggered by the acceptance, not sure though.

    Reply

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  2. 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!

    Happy Friday, y’all.

    Reply

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    1
  3. Vicandy321

    @TTOhio: like the advanced is already posted on your ck account ?

    Reply

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  4. Interesting..
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-11
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bars:
      No Bars-PATH Act Message
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-20
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-17
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-23
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20230405
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Feb-13
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-27
    • I Got My Refund!

    I filed with TT on the 11th and now it’s looking a little sketchy. I’ve been trying to wait it out until at least Monday but I don’t know. I may have to file with my usual Tax preparation service

    Reply

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  5. TTOhio

    I saw others saying they have first bar on wmr but tt says pending, so I just checked and mine is same. I also got the advance.

    Reply

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    1
  6. KinFl
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-24
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-25
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Emily: none here either. If it shows up, I’ll post as soon as I get it.
    Usually it’s quick.

    Reply

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  7. Emily
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-31
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Chime
    • Bars:
      2nd Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Feb-12
    • Date Approved:
      Mar-19
    • WMR Date:
      Mar-24
    • Transcript:
      Mailed
    • TT 152
    • I Got My Refund!

    @KinFl: My brother has the same thin. TT showing pending but WMR shows they got it. No info on his loan.

    Reply

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  8. KinFl
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-24
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-25
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • I Got My Refund!

    Hi everyone!! It’s been a year. I actually filed early this year, and was just accepted by the IRS. Have one bar and everything. I haven’t gotten my TT loan yet though, and TTis still showing as pending.

    Reply

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  9. KeKe
    • Tax Preparer:
      Jackson Hewitt
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-23
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Serve
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-24
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      05
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Feb-12
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-19
    • I Got My Refund!

    I didn’t get the message that I was accepted but that is what it means if I have one bar right?

    Reply

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  10. Emily
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-31
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Chime
    • Bars:
      2nd Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Feb-12
    • Date Approved:
      Mar-19
    • WMR Date:
      Mar-24
    • Transcript:
      Mailed
    • TT 152
    • I Got My Refund!

    Well I have no idea whats going on with TT. I still can not pay using my refund. It should be free bc of my income but since I am self employed they charge me. To top it off I do my brothers taxes as well and his TT says pending but for giggles I looked on WMR and it says it was accepted, I am thinking of going with a different tax company but it is so hard to break that TT cycle.

    Reply

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    3
  11. KeKe
    • Tax Preparer:
      Jackson Hewitt
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-23
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Serve
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-24
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      05
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Feb-12
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-19
    • I Got My Refund!

    Hello it’s that time again! Just filed mine (knowing I have to wait til 2/15 lol)! How r things going so far this tax season? Trying to figure out how I made less 2022 and my refund is less than last year….smh make it make since.

    Reply

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  12. ConfusedInOhio

    I filed 3 days ago still not accepted just says efile transmitted on hr block wmr doesn’t have us in the system yet

    Reply

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  13. Mrs. P (not signed in)

    @Goodvibes: FreeTaxUSA. I filed with TT yesterday morning but ended up using FreeTaxUSA last night . My TT still in limbo somewhere

    Reply

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  14. Goodvibes
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-20
    • Fees:
      From Refund

    @Mrs. P (not signed in): who did you file with?

    Reply

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  15. Goodvibes
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-20
    • Fees:
      From Refund

    Have there been any TT acceptance today?

    Reply

    Report comment
  16. Ghee
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-19
    • Fees:
      In Advance
    • Bank:
      Meijer Credit Union
    • Bars:
      MIA
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      0405
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • I Got My Refund!

    Oh nothing just waiting on my state to be accepted.Ik I will get my state first which is cool because its a big state refund so between now and before the 15th of February i will be some what ok just accepted it Michigan

    Reply

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  17. Brittany Amador
    • Tax Preparer:
      H&R Block
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-29
    • Fees:
      In Advance
    • Bank:
      USAA
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-29
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      05
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Chris: I submitted mine at around 130am and got a text from H&R saying mine was accepted around 11am but I already knew that cause when I checked my status on WMR it was already showing one bar

    Reply

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  18. Mrs. P (not signed in)

    @Chris: I was accepted about an hour and a half ago

    Reply

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  19. Chris
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-13
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Credit Karma
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-18
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-16
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-16
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20240505
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Feb-19
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-19
    • I Got My Refund!

    Has there been any acceptances today?

    Reply

    Report comment
  20. anoel06
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Feb-5
    • Fees:
      In Advance
    • Bank:
      Chime
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Feb-5
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20240704
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • As of:
      Feb-26
    • Processing Date:
      Mar-4
    • I Got My Refund!

    Hey all!

    Sooooo I was accepted yesterday and I had one bar. Now today, it’s saying I entered my info wrong, tho I know I’m not, but I also know that’s that thing they do when it’s “too early” to find your info in the system. Like doing your taxes and then immediately going to check after you’re done.

    Could this have done that because I’m a PATHER?

    Reply

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    1
  21. BeeBee40
    • Tax Preparer:
      TaxAct
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-26
    • Fees:
      In Advance
    • Bank:
      Chime
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-29
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Mrs. P (not signed in): Thank you, okay

    Reply

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  22. Mrs. P (not signed in)

    @BeeBee40: I filed with TT yesterday morning to get advance and was still waiting to be accepted this morning. Got scared after reading horrible reviews on CK and decided to file with FreeTaxUSA late last night and just got accepted like 5 mins ago.

    Reply

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    4
  23. BeeBee40
    • Tax Preparer:
      TaxAct
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-26
    • Fees:
      In Advance
    • Bank:
      Chime
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-29
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • I Got My Refund!

    Good morning are they still doing test batches. Anyone been accepted today? My brother filed with TT on yesterday and no acceptance yet.

    Reply

    Report comment
  24. Brittany Amador
    • Tax Preparer:
      H&R Block
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-29
    • Fees:
      In Advance
    • Bank:
      USAA
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-29
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      05
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • I Got My Refund!

    Hard to believe we are already back here for another tax season!

    Reply

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    3
  25. kadeebug123
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-12
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Traditional
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-19

    @Sheila_33: Hi! Suggestion for the site, if it’s possible. Move the “report comment” button and put the “reply” button there, replacing the “reply” button with the “report comment” button (swap spots).. cause I keep accidentally reporting comments!

    Reply

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    1
  26. Don25
    • Tax Preparer:
      H&R Block
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-24
    • Fees:
      In Advance
    • Bank:
      5th third
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-24
    • Date Approved:
      Jan-31
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-5
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      03
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • I Got My Refund!

    Good morning to all. I just had my taxes prepared by H&R Block this morning. I I normally get my return deposited with in a week. I hope everyone has an uneventful tax season.
    Try to donate to this website. I’m sure they could use the money to keep up their wonderful work.

    Reply

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    4
  27. TTOhio

    @ARGH: I hope you saw MSRazorbackPhD advice before filing. I’ve been here for many years and they have always had really good advice and or information. If you did file and it hasn’t been accepted, you can always try to refile. If the advance is of that much importance. I know filing taxes is stressful enough without having to REdo it. Heh.

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  28. TTOhio

    @ARGH: yeah that sounds like bs to me. Like someone else already said, IRS does not hold pathers longer than is allowed by law. I think she just didn’t know the answer. I am on Path every year and have never had any problems with the advance. Always been a very simple return though. I’m sure that could matter. Sorry you’re having issues. Wish I could help.

    Reply

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  29. Goodvibes
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-20
    • Fees:
      From Refund

    @RealAmerican: credits? Advance?

    Reply

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  30. MSRazorbackPhD

    Sign in to TurboTax and open your return by selecting Continue or Pick up where you left off

    In the left menu, select Tax Tools and then Tools

    In the pop-up window Tool Center, choose Delete a form

    Select Delete next to the form, schedule, and worksheet in the list and follow the instructions

    Reply

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  31. MSRazorbackPhD

    @Lex: Delete the entire thing!

    Reply

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  32. Lex

    Turbo tax will not let me efile without completing the form 8915-F (Disaster Distribution). I somehow selected that option by accident and cannot figure out how to unselected it in order to move forward. I’ve tried everything including contacting Turbo tax. Has anyone experienced this?

    Reply

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  33. RealAmerican

    Filed with TT 1/18 Accepted 1/20.

    Reply

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    2
  34. Tarheel21
    • Tax Preparer:
      TaxAct
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-28
    • Fees:
      In Advance
    • Bank:
      Chime
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-29
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Mar-4
    • Processing Date:
      Mar-4
    • I Got My Refund!

    Back for another year! Hope it’s smooth sailing ahead for everyone

    Reply

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    1
  35. Tab
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-13
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Wells Fargo
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-22
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Sheila_33: Lol! Goals, for sure!

    Reply

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  36. Sheila_33
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-6
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Bluebird
    • Bars:
      2nd Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-16
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-16
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-16
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      03
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • As of:
      Feb-19
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-19
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Bennett72: No reason we can find for the star as of yet. I’m still trying to find a pattern to them because there’s nothing in the manual that refers to it. Did you file early and been accepted yet in the test batch? Some are seeing the stars change to n/a after the WMR has acknowledged the acceptance.

    Reply

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    2
  37. Sheila_33
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-6
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Bluebird
    • Bars:
      2nd Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-16
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-16
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-16
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      03
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • As of:
      Feb-19
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-19
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Tab: No need to freak out, there is plenty of time. There’s no rhyme or reason on whose returns they test batch and no need to worry. We used to have a preparer do our taxes but it just got to the point that doing them ourselves was a way lot cheaper and the software is so self explanatory. Now, on the other hand, if I was a billionaire, I’d be getting one of my minions to deal with it, lol. Goals! :)

    Reply

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  38. Sheila_33
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-6
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Bluebird
    • Bars:
      2nd Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-16
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-16
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-16
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      03
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • As of:
      Feb-19
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-19
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Jersey girl: Hey lady, happy to see you back!

    Reply

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  39. Stace19

    @Iloveyouguys: Thanks, fingers crossed.

    Reply

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  40. Jersey girl
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-14
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Netspend
    • Bars:
      No Bars-PATH Act Message
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-18
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-16
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-22
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      05
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Sheila_33: Happy New Year hope all is well!

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