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
49,356 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. Gators352

    @JJ Not Logged in: I had Netspend years ago if I recall I believe I got it like 1 or 2 days before my actual refund date I’m with chime now and their deposits are like 5 day’s before ddd

    Reply
    1
  2. Itsthattimeagaincyn

    @Nene: So press 7 to continue, then 1 for English or 2 for Spanish, then 1 for offsets, enter social after it prompts you to, the choose 2 for offsets to any recents payments.

    Reply
  3. If only...
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Feb-7
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Netspend- Bancorp
    • Bars:
      What Bars?
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      05
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • I Got My Refund!

    @JJ Not Logged in: Partially depenDs on which Netspend you use, netspend has a few banks, mine is fairly quick but others are faster

    Reply
  4. 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!

    @Tigerlili_1: Thank you again🤗

    Reply
  5. Curious Fella

    @Sharon. O: I have the same code but my date is 3/6/2023. I’m curious about the dates as well. Maybe they already looked at our returns. Last night my returns were NA and even my 2021 returns went to NA. Today though they have populated with all the info and the March 6th date and under that date is the 60 day hold date which is 4-15. Maybe we get lucky and our returns have already been looked at.

    Reply
  6. JJ Not Logged in

    Anyone know how early NetSpend will be with these refunds?

    Reply
  7. Gators352

    Alright, alright, alright let’s get this party started I wanna see some 846 for you guys transcripts are updating

    Reply
    1
  8. 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!

    @TheQueenofBee: did you call the examination department Sheila posted the number few days ago @ Rich but I’m afraid that 424 next week will turn into 420 I got that in 2021 first come first serve as to when they receive your documents I got my documents in fast and got my refund in July

    Reply
    1
  9. Tia008

    My transcripts show 00, as if I didn’t file. I have received my state refund from Virginia and my refund advance from Turbo…now I’m worried 😫

    Reply
  10. Tia008

    We apologize, but your return processing has been delayed beyond the normal timeframe.

    You can continue to check back here for the most up to date information regarding your refund.

    We understand your tax refund is very important and we are working to process your return as quickly as possible.

    Please read the following information related to your tax situation:
    Tax Topic 152, Refund Information
    Please Note:
    For refund information, please continue to check here, or use our free mobile app, IRS2Go. Updates to refund status are made no more than once a day.

    What does this mean? 😧

    Reply
    1
  11. Sharon. O

    My transcripts are filled out but with a 570 which I know is a hold code. What I’m wondering is why it has a future date of 2/27 which is also the as of date. It showed up last Friday

    Reply
    2
  12. 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!

    @FrazierGurl: until 8pm PST

    Reply
  13. Guera
    • Tax Preparer:
      Jackson Hewitt
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-18
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Blue 🐦(sent wrong account now check being mailed)
    • Bars:
      No Bars-PATH Act Message
    • Date Accepted:
      Feb-15
    • WMR Date:
      Mar-3
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      846 on 16th 12:16am DDD 2/22/2023
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • As of:
      Feb-20
    • I Got My Refund!

    @FrazierGurl: ditto…. still showing pending u to Hun???

    Reply
  14. 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!

    Does anyone know if it’s still possible for the eps website to update this late in the evening?

    Reply
  15. Nene

    @Itsthattimeagaincyn: It never gives me the option for payments… once i press 2 then what do i press?

    Reply
  16. If only...
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Feb-7
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Netspend- Bancorp
    • Bars:
      What Bars?
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      05
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • I Got My Refund!

    @MissNikki1284: I know its not fun when this is happens…. Im stuck in limbo

    Reply
  17. Guera
    • Tax Preparer:
      Jackson Hewitt
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-18
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Blue 🐦(sent wrong account now check being mailed)
    • Bars:
      No Bars-PATH Act Message
    • Date Accepted:
      Feb-15
    • WMR Date:
      Mar-3
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      846 on 16th 12:16am DDD 2/22/2023
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • As of:
      Feb-20
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Heather8306: aaaa…ok thanks hun. On thier page shows sent or pending hun

    Reply
  18. MissNikki1284
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-23
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Greendot
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Approved:
      Jan-23

    @If only…: Blah okay that’s what I figured. I hate that it has to go to CK instead of my turbo card now.

    My offset did reflect as paid when today when I called the offset number through so I guess that’s some good news with movement.

    Reply
    1
  19. 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!

    @TwoSetsofTwins:
    Chime is wishy washy. They rejected ours once for name not matching, but my niece and her hubby posted fine. Crazy.

    Reply
  20. If only...
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Feb-7
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Netspend- Bancorp
    • Bars:
      What Bars?
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      05
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Tigerlili_1: I can hope then I guess, I will never file late again

    Reply
  21. If only...
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Feb-7
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Netspend- Bancorp
    • Bars:
      What Bars?
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      05
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • I Got My Refund!

    @MissNikki1284: My guess would be since you applied for the ral it goes thru them because tt sent the file before you were decline, and it’s won’t update the bank info once they receive th file

    Reply
  22. Itsthattimeagaincyn

    @Nene: did you listen to option 2 where it says payments? If not call back and listen to that option. If so it will tell you the payment amount taken and date for payment. Pray they don’t take anything from ya.

    Reply
  23. 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!

    @If only…: I mean, this year it seems as likely as unlikely. I don’t know why they would, but I know some weeklies that updates early this week…so? It’s possible though too that they became daily

    Reply
  24. TwoSetsofTwins

    @Tigerlili_1: thank you all for helping! Both accounts are in my name only. I used these exact two accounts last year with no issues. It’s so weird.

    Reply
  25. MissNikki1284
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-23
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Greendot
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Approved:
      Jan-23

    That was supposed to say I free filed through TT

    Reply
  26. MissNikki1284
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-23
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Greendot
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Approved:
      Jan-23

    I free filed through TT so no fees, I had applied for the RAL but got denied. So why am I still having to filter through SBGT? Is that normal?
    I double checked a few times to make aure I wasn’t being charged anything and it definitely says $0.00

    Reply
    1
  27. Nene

    I think I may have an offset, for Unemployment overpayment, I am under a payment plan. It took my state. Showing DD of 2/23 on my transcript with 846, no offset code. The offset number says no offset. Will my refund be offset?

    Reply
  28. 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!

    @TwoSetsofTwins: Is your refund I. Your name only? Is your traditional bank in your name or joint with a significant other.
    Chime has been known to reject refunds , if primary name on the refund isn’t the name onn the account. But, then some apparently go through just fine.

    Reply
    1
  29. TwoSetsofTwins

    @Jennifer: Yes it shows the full amount. I knew I didn’t have any offsets but u know it’s the irs so I called the offset line lol, and No offsets.

    Reply
  30. Akasha

    @Jennifer: Actually pretty lucky. First year w/ a new business, startup credits and “losses”.

    But we all know. Santa Barbara is 🐢

    😂😂😂

    Reply
  31. Itsthattimeagaincyn

    @Jennifer: thank you 😊

    Reply
  32. Queenlexxi254

    All my transcripts are filled in
    But got codes except
    846
    Weekly 0605
    Changed from as of 2/13 to 03/06
    So am I going to through like you guys did last week with codes waiting for a 846, I got my refund last year in the 22nd. Always update on Fri/sat.

    Reply
  33. Heather8306

    @Guera: I called and they gave me the tcn #

    Reply
  34. Jennifer

    @Itsthattimeagaincyn: Just don’t expect the refund amount. But no it won’t affect the refund date.

    Reply
    1
  35. If only...
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Feb-7
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Netspend- Bancorp
    • Bars:
      What Bars?
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      05
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Itsthattimeagaincyn: Yw

    Reply
    1
  36. grnz2glk40s
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-30
    • Fees:
      In Advance
    • Bank:
      Chime
    • Bars:
      No Bars-PATH Act Message
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-30
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-17
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-23
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      0505
    • As of:
      Mar-6
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-20
    • I Got My Refund!

    Refund posted to Chime at 1:08 pm

    Just a reminder to future self 😂

    Reply
    2
  37. Itsthattimeagaincyn

    @If only…: thank you 😊

    Reply
  38. If only...
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Feb-7
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Netspend- Bancorp
    • Bars:
      What Bars?
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      05
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Itsthattimeagaincyn: Offsets usually dont delay refunds

    Reply
    2
  39. Itsthattimeagaincyn

    The offset line said my payment will be processed 2/23 will that be the same date I receive the remaining refund portion as well? Is there anyone who answer this for me please?

    Reply
  40. Jennifer

    @TwoSetsofTwins: One or the other didn’t accept the direct deposit. Does it show the full refund amount as being mailed ?

    Reply
    1