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. Mary

    @uhohdanioz The tax season started on Jan. 23 they have been accepting tax returns since then.

    Reply
    1
  2. Bubba

    @Sam: mine says that as well and all good codes on transcripts it looks like everything is done so don’t understand what the 2/13 processing date is

    Reply
    1
  3. Mary

    @Gwen @Gen Yes Saturday the 18th

    Reply
  4. Phillyhero64

    Nothing but as of date on my account transcript changed to February 27.

    Reply
    1
  5. uhohdanioz

    Do you think its better to wait to file until the 15th if we are PATH? I just finished up my taxes but just wondering what others have done. I dont want it held up if I file before they are accepting them

    Reply
  6. Gwen

    @Mary: so does wmr stay on path until Saturday?

    Reply
    1
  7. Mary

    @ournii” Mom Its possible they are reviewing your credits.

    Reply
  8. LLHARRI
    • Tax Preparer:
      Other
    • Date Filed:
      Feb-1
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      credit union
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Feb-1
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-21
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-26
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20250605
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Mar-10
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-24
    • I Got My Refund!

    Hi all,
    Still no update on my trans Account trans is still blank with an as of Feb 20 date. fingers cross an update soon.

    Reply
  9. ournii’s Mom

    I have a 570 but right after there’s the Eic does that mean anything?

    Reply
  10. Mary

    @LadyJ There have been several reporting they received the 570 code.

    Reply
    1
  11. Mary

    @Ericachristyne No worries those dates like to dance around especially when they are updating the transcript system

    Reply
  12. Lady J

    Trying to seeing anyone has gotten 570 code

    Reply
    2
  13. Mary

    @Nicole2629 I’m a pather too and my wages arent filled out and werent in past years either and I still got my refund.

    Reply
    3
  14. Nicole2629

    Should I be worried if the wage and income transcript is saying no record of return filed? All 3 of the others updated. I’m a pather.

    Reply
  15. Mary

    @ANK Saturdays are big updates on the WMR site. I also know huge income increases can trigger a review not necessarily an audit, but for now just wait to see if you update in the morning.

    Reply
    1
  16. Michael

    @ARGH: You will just see the Path Act message on WMR you won’t see a DDD until it lifts

    Reply
  17. Ank

    Is it correct to assume that wmr will reflect some change tomorrow if my return is processed today but without 846 due to path? . As in a path message, STILL processing, or loss of bars? I do not have access to transcripts but believe those who began processing before end of path showed some type of change on wmr like loosing bars, showing path message or Still being processed message. I have had 1st bar, IS BEING processed and tt152 so far. I am a bit anxious this year as my business thankfully did quite a bit better this last year and so my income was around double what I brought in the prior three years. It was my 4th year in business and I have finally began to bring in profit instead of losses or breaking even. My AIG was a bit over double the last year. I know IRS sometimes flags for audit when there is a difference in income so I am trying to get some peace of mind about it this year. Thanks for reading and for any input.

    Reply
  18. EricaChristyne

    So I checked my transcripts today this morning and the AS OF date went from 13th to the 20th and now again back to the 13th. What does that mean? Thank you.

    Reply
    1
  19. ARGH
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-19
    • Fees:
      In Advance
    • Bank:
      Credit Karma
    • Bars:
      No Bars-PATH Act Message
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-30
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20230605
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Feb-20
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-27
    • Identity Theft
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Gwen: My transcripts updated today, and I’m a PATHer. So, who knows?

    Reply
  20. Mary

    @Gwen no maybe on Friday for transcripts and Saturday for WMR but anything is possible

    Reply
  21. Gwen

    Could pathers possibly update Wednesday the 15th on wmr for a ddd or processing bars? Or will it stay on path

    Reply
  22. ARGH
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-19
    • Fees:
      In Advance
    • Bank:
      Credit Karma
    • Bars:
      No Bars-PATH Act Message
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-30
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20230605
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Feb-20
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-27
    • Identity Theft
    • I Got My Refund!

    Welp. We’re weekly. Transcripts updated today. So, I guess WMR will update tomorrow. Hopefully we’ll see our deposit on the 20th. This has been a relatively smooth year – KNOCK ON WOOD

    Reply
  23. Kymama84

    @Frank Garrett – Southpark IRS Agent (aka buckey12):

    Just checked Ky state revenue for refund status and just got approval for dd within 10 days😀 wish I knew when this would hit ,but like I said I love surprises lol

    Reply
  24. Mary

    @$tether check tomorrow morning for an update on WMR

    Reply
  25. Mary

    @BEAST55 I would go with what the transcripts are saying

    Reply
  26. Mary

    @BEAST55 Shouldn’t be any delay

    Reply
  27. BEAST55

    @S: Wow. I used OLT.COM . When I put the amount they gave me a refund in on WMR it comes up as still processing. When I check my transcripts its 600 lesser. I am totally confused.

    Reply
  28. $tepher

    My last comment should have said 2/3/23. my bad.

    Reply
  29. BEAST55

    @Mary: Ok. Thank you. Do you know how long it takes to resolve?

    Reply
  30. S

    @BEAST55: I got code 971 about 6 years ago. My refund was $2000 less than what was initially shown to me. It had to have been a screw up on turbo tax end because I didn’t owe anyone anything. I called Turbo tax and they couldn’t even explain why it was less, so I stopped using their service. Also, I never got a notice in the mail from the IRS for code 971 regarding what happened.

    Reply
  31. uhohdanioz

    @Mary: thank you!

    Reply
  32. $tepher

    I filed 2/3/2022 and was accepted the same day. My
    KY state was accepted a few days later. I have the 21 day message on both the state and fed wmr. My transcripts are N/A and wage transcript still says nothing has been filed. I will be a pather. I filed a day earlier last year and I got my refund on 2/18. Does anyone thing I should be worried. This is the first year in a long time I am counting on this money to make it through.

    Reply
    1
  33. Mary

    BEAST55 Past due taxes they don’t show up on the offset line

    Reply
  34. 2020relief

    @Onslow: what state are you in and congrats

    Reply
  35. BEAST55

    @Mary: No. I called the offset number and I didn’t have one.

    Reply
  36. Mary

    @uhohdanioz THe PATH credits should start processing the 15th

    Reply
  37. Mary

    @BEAST55 Did you have an offset?

    Reply
  38. BEAST55

    I woke up with a code 971. Notice issued. I did notice my refund is showing 600 lesser than what i filed for . Should I be worried?

    Reply
  39. uhohdanioz

    hey, what day is the irs going to start processing additional child tax credit returns?

    Reply
  40. Mary

    @SAM If they have the PATH credits they won’t update until after the 15th.

    Reply