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
49,270 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. katierose

    @Kisharai: I have the same problem. Although, the timeline thing did change at the top and it now shows the prediction when return should be accepted.

    Reply
  2. Sheila_33
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-9
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Bluebird
    • Bars:
      No Bars-PATH Act Message
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-17
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-16
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-16
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      04
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • As of:
      Feb-10
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-19
    • I Got My Refund!

    Good early morning everyone! Transcripts updating?

    Reply
    4
  3. Azluckyfish

    @FrazierGurl: oh perfect thank u ☺️

    Reply
    2
  4. Kisharai
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-22
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      CreditKarma spend
    • Bars:
      What Bars?

    @Flgirl1990: oh jeeze. this is just sad. I feel like every year its a new issue. I guess from a positive Point of view, at least its transmitted.

    Reply
  5. Flgirl1990

    @Kisharai: mind still says pending and it’s been transmitted. I filed on the 12th

    Reply
  6. SaddestTaxPayer

    @DebMom: mine blows too!!! last year was $4K. This year, $698! LOL UGHHH …. Guess its time for another baby. Totally kidding. The child I can legally claim turned 18 in may, so, lol. You take your $198 and have a blast!! ill take my $698 and idk, haha. I am very much dreading next year. SOOOO BADLY. My daughters tax return is double mine! LOL

    Reply
  7. Kisharai
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-22
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      CreditKarma spend
    • Bars:
      What Bars?

    good morning everyone :) Turbo Trash still has my returns as pending…>.> hope everyone else that was experiencing that yesterday got pushed through and accepted.

    Reply
  8. SaddestTaxPayer

    everyone, having your child age out of your home sucks. emotionally for one, and for taxes. my 3-5k returns are a puny $698. that’s state and federal combined. she is only 18, and my income was 34K. Ill for sure be paying in next year (Cries in silence) lol.

    Reply
    1
  9. FrazierGurl
    • Tax Preparer:
      Other
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-17
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Chime
    • Bars:
      No Bars-PATH Act Message
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-17
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-17
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      05
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Feb-13
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Azluckyfish: Here’s the link for the update cycle.

    https://igotmyrefund.com/irs-update-cycle-for-transcripts-and-wmr/

    Reply
  10. FrazierGurl
    • Tax Preparer:
      Other
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-17
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Chime
    • Bars:
      No Bars-PATH Act Message
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-17
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-17
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      05
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Feb-13
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Azluckyfish: On Friday

    Reply
    1
  11. Azluckyfish

    Hi do weeklies up date today or Friday

    Reply
    1
  12. 2blessed

    @Walter DOG: Thank you and I wish u the best as well. I just checked and my transcript is showing now. I’m hoping that’s a good thing. 🙏🏾

    Reply
  13. Walter DOG
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Netspend
    • Bars:
      No Bars-PATH Act Message
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-19
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      05
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Feb-20
    • I Got My Refund!

    @2blessed: Happy to see you this year hope it’s smooth sailing like last year

    Reply
  14. JLB1112

    I’ve never had my transcripts update this soon not return yet just account…but showing Eic and credit to account just obviously missing the refund issue bc if PATH but With that processing date when could I see my dd once path lifted

    Reply
    1
  15. 2blessed

    Back for another tax season. Wishing everybody luck this year. Also hello Walter DOG! You helped me my previous tax season, and I didn’t forget you. So thank you so much. @Walter DOG

    Reply
    1
  16. JLB1112

    I’m a daily pather just checked my transcripts are update showing my refund just not refund date etc shows me as an 02 and processing date of 2/13/23

    Reply
    3
  17. Walter DOG
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Netspend
    • Bars:
      No Bars-PATH Act Message
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-19
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      05
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Feb-20
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Ida: Try Free Tax USA been using them for years it’s very easy and it’s Free but if you want advance you cain’t with them but you save a lot and get your whole refund at one time

    Reply
    1
  18. Ida

    Turbo tax won’t let me file my state. It says can’t e-file I don’t understand

    Reply
  19. DebMom
    • Tax Preparer:
      Other
    • Date Filed:
      Feb-3
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Varo
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Feb-3
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-14
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-20
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20250705
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Feb-24
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-14
    • I Got My Refund!

    Filed and accepted today. No PATH this year so we shall see. No fees from refund and DD to Chime got a whole $183 lol

    Reply
    3
  20. Melanin. Being93
    • Tax Preparer:
      Other
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-27
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Wells Fargo
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • I Got My Refund!

    Back again for anther year . Did y’all file early this year

    Reply
  21. Crannynock123

    @Tbatch: transfer to another account. I transferred to my Wells Fargo before receiving my card

    Reply
  22. Bre07

    @Tbatch: you can use the digital/virtual card on your spend account and connect it to your cash app or apple pay it should show your routing and account numbers and virtual card numbers

    Reply
    2
  23. Tbatch

    Is there a way to withdraw from credit karma spend account without receiving the actual card first?

    Reply
  24. Gators352

    @Firsttimer898: I would think so because that 19 year old is now a adult dependent since she or he is a full- time student don’t forget to get the school tax credit for them especially if he or she’s in college

    Reply
  25. Gators352

    @JilDillpickle: congratulations on that

    Reply
  26. Firsttimer898

    I have a 19 year old full-time student who I am claiming as a dependant. Is her deduction the same amount as my 13 and 11 year old?

    Reply
  27. Yandyy

    @MelloDello53: That’s great..Good luck

    Reply
  28. Doughboy
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-19
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Turbo tax bank
    • Bars:
      What Bars?
    • Transcript:
      Blank
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • I Got My Refund!

    Good luck, everyone I hope everything works out for you.

    Reply
  29. 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!

    @Brianne: Yeah…I’m not worried about it. It will update when it updates.

    Reply
    1
  30. Sheila_33
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-9
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Bluebird
    • Bars:
      No Bars-PATH Act Message
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-17
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-16
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-16
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      04
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • As of:
      Feb-10
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-19
    • I Got My Refund!

    Weeklies only have Wednesday direct deposit dates, unless there’s a holiday that bumps you to Thursday.

    Reply
    2
  31. Sheila_33
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-9
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Bluebird
    • Bars:
      No Bars-PATH Act Message
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-17
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-16
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-16
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      04
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • As of:
      Feb-10
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-19
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Tommy D.: If the direct deposit date on the Wmr was for that Friday, then you were a daily.

    Reply
    1
  32. Tommy D.

    I use Go2bank an NHB and last year I got my refund on a Friday no credits. So does anyone know if that makes me a daily or weekly?

    Reply
  33. JilDillpickle

    @loucy29: it did, WMR is at 1 bar

    Reply
  34. ConfusedInOhio

    Anyone else not able to log into hrblock app

    Reply
  35. loucy29

    @JilDillpickle: hi did yours show accepted on wmr

    Reply
  36. JilDillpickle

    Yeah! Just got accepted and my advance hit! It’s been “pending” since noon.

    Reply
    6
  37. Brianne
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-6
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Credit Karma
    • Bars:
      What Bars?
    • Cycle:
      Weekly

    @MSRazorbackPhD: i have harassed tt facebook page enough today so im just going to have to suck it up & wait out the 48 hours like they keep telling me to do.

    Reply
  38. Brianne
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-6
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Credit Karma
    • Bars:
      What Bars?
    • Cycle:
      Weekly

    @Tigerlili_1: thats weird. dont see that too often. at this point, i would just be happy getting the one bar & waiting on the advance. at least i know the advance will eventually come but not even getting accepted yet when my return has been sitting for weeks, its driving me crazy.

    Reply
    3
  39. MSRazorbackPhD

    @Brianne: Me either! Just throwing my hands in the air!

    Reply
    1
  40. 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!

    My Turbo Tax still hasn’t updated but I got my advance just now

    Reply
    1