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
49,355 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. TeeDee44

    @Amy19: I really appreciate the response. Thank you. I have access to transcripts. Says return not filed. Two on top says NA while the bottom two show up but aren’t complete. Only shows as of 2/13 and no cycle code. No codes at all. Got ID verify letter Monday. Did that. I think it’s being held up because of that

    Reply
  2. Amy19
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-29
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20240605
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • As of:
      Mar-4
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Ricky22 8: My son had a random review 2 years ago. His notice said 60 day review, refund came almost to the day. No other letters sent besides the original review. Refund wast exact amount from his return. No idea why it was reviewed.

    Reply
  3. Amy19
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-29
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20240605
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • As of:
      Mar-4
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Kelvin: depends on your bank and President’s Day holiday. Some cards deposit early, most traditional banks do not.

    Reply
  4. Ricky22 8

    How long does random review take. Says code 1242. Ty n my as of date now march 6 ty

    Reply
  5. Amy19
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-29
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20240605
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • As of:
      Mar-4
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Roni: look on your account page under notices sent. There might be an explanation there of how much was taken and where it went. If you disagree, like you now you do not owe CA EDD, you might have to call and get an advocate. If you do owe it, it’s not likely to be reversed.

    Reply
  6. Lavender

    Chime does not deposit on Presidents Day. At least not during the day. They sent out a notification that it is a bank holiday. They don’t do deposits on most if not all bank holidays. I have them that’s how I know.

    Reply
    1
  7. Gators352

    @Kelvin: good morning Kelvin please go back to comments right now banks will not be ddd until after Monday kelvin Monday is a holiday unless you have something like chime Netspend cards like that they may drop in early now I’m saying they are going to drop in early I said they might

    Reply
  8. Chasingcarson_
    • Tax Preparer:
      Jackson Hewitt
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-23
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Chime
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-23
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Tigerlili_1: Jackson Hewitt is contracted with Republic. Same umbrella. Therefore I said, I’m not using JH next year b/c only serve card (JH card) got theirs. They have something to do with the way the funds are being dispersed as well. If you can find someone who has their money who opted in to the advance and used a personal DD account then please let me know, because then I would feel better. But it’s very weird that so far only serve card has gotten their money filtered through republic and deposited when everyone else has not even seen it hit republic. And I promise I’m not trying to be rude but it’s very frustrating when someone is try to be technical (nit pick) about what I said. There was a big issue with DD during COVID which is why I’m worried. The tax preparer put the wrong address so if something is wrong they will try to mail it to an address that doesn’t exist. And before you reply, remember I’m not trying to be rude at all. Im just trying to figure out what’s going on, get my money, make my donation, and come back next year. :)

    Reply
    1
  9. Amy19
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-29
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20240605
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • As of:
      Mar-4
    • I Got My Refund!

    @TeeDee44: Do you have access to your transcripts? Or just WMR? If you were accepted opening week, I would assume you somehow keep getting re-sequenced. If you have access to your transcripts, are they NA? This is what happened to me last year. No idea why, after they were accepted, no updates, just NA. I swear they just sat in the system. No letters ever sent. Finally they appeared , processed the following week. Exact refund amount, no explanation why it took so long to show up in the system. @Shelia_33 said after they sat a couple cycles and did not process they had to manually be put in the system, that’s what took so long. No idea if this is what is going on with yours but could be what Sheila said. I’m not sure when she’s here today, but ask her. She might have some insight. Sorry you aren’t updating, it rots.

    Reply
  10. Ashley

    @Vannyy: yes the 23

    Reply
  11. Kelvin

    Wmr says 2/23. Will I get dd sooner?

    Reply
  12. Roni

    Your tax refund has been approved for direct deposit. However, it may be partially or completely reduced to pay a past due obligation, such as child support, another federal agency debt, or state income tax. If so, the Bureau of the Fiscal Service (BFS), who issues IRS refunds, will send you a notice with the amount of the debt and contact information. The details of the debt are not provided to the IRS. This application will be updated with the refund amount remaining, if any, after the debt is deducted. If your refund is not credited to your account by February 28, 2023 , please revisit this site or visit the Refunds page on IRS.gov, for your revised refund status. Updates to refund status are made no more than once a day.

    But I have code 846 on transcript ddd 2-23……

    I also called the offset number and It’s for California EDD

    Help!!!!!!!!

    Reply
    1
  13. Gators352

    I see where ppl are asking or thinking that their banks will drop their money today to be honest I don’t see that happening you will need to wait until after Monday even these prepaid cards probably won’t drop ddd until late Monday night but still look out for them on these prepaid cards because you never know about them

    Reply
    1
  14. Ineedmy$

    @Tigerlili_1: I see you bank with Pen Fed. Do they deposit early? My ddd is 2/23.

    Reply
  15. Gators352

    @TeeDee44: the reason why you have no movement on your transcripts is because the irs is still processing your return you are not done processing hope this answer your question keep the faith and always think positive thoughts 😀😀😀

    Reply
    1
  16. TheMadness21
    • Tax Preparer:
      Other
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-7
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Andrew federal credit union
    • Bars:
      2nd Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-10
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-26
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      0505
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Feb-24
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-17
    • I Got My Refund!

    Good morning all as we already know my WMR updated this morning I now have bars again and my date. One of the smoothest seasons in a while. Just wish my bank would release my funds early 🤣🤣🤣

    Reply
    2
  17. texasmomof3

    @Not logged in kdinaz:

    Good Morning Y’all

    My son has his refund going to Wells Fargo with a ddd of 2/23 and he didn’t receive anything, he is still waiting also.

    Reply
    3
  18. 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!

    @Quana: Did you order transcripts maybe?

    Reply
  19. Gators352

    @Quana: you’re welcome it’ll work itself out it always does I’m a true witness to that

    Reply
  20. Gators352

    @Vannyy: yes I understand let’s just hope for the best maybe the system have a glitch and the computer that generates these numbers is incorrect

    Reply
  21. Quana

    @Gators352: thank you!! I’m trying my best 💓

    Reply
  22. TeeDee44

    There are some of us who have no movement on WMR or transcripts. Those of us that filed from opening day and still waiting on some kinda progress. So reading endless conversations about exactly what date your deposits will hit because you already have a ddd is irritating especially when nobody is answering real questions. A real question is “why is my return taking so long to process” not ” my ddd is the 23, do you think I’ll get it tomorrow?”

    Reply
    5
  23. Gators352

    @1234abc567: you are correct but still look out for it because at once they did so it may just pop in

    Reply
    1
  24. Vannyy

    @Ashley: does it have a date od deposit

    Reply
    1
  25. Vannyy

    @Gators352: im worried my i have two bars been approved for direct deposit but no date. Then i have the message that partially or completely reduced, my amounts on the side is the same of original refund . On transcripts i have 150 806 766 768 846 2/23 .

    Reply
  26. 1234abc567

    Just read that chime doesn’t deposit on weekends 😭😭

    Reply
  27. Gators352

    @Quana: Think positive and congratulations on you refund that’s coming soon😀😀😀

    Reply
    1
  28. Ashley

    Good morning all,hate I didn’t get my taxes yesterday but what can you do……I’m on refund approved the second bar on where’s my refund

    Reply
  29. Amy19
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-29
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20240605
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • As of:
      Mar-4
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Vannyy: under your amount, the date is blank? Hmmmm, never read about that before.

    Reply
  30. Quana

    I have a letter from the IRS in the mail today wonder what it’s for. I don’t owe any agencies and my refund was approved… hope it’s nothing about takin my state…

    Reply
  31. Gators352

    @Vannyy: congratulations to you you this beautiful Saturday morning 😀😀😀😀

    Reply
    1
  32. Gators352

    @Tigerlili_1: please stop commenting on my name I’m here to help others and you are in the way I don’t care how long you been on the site I’ve been on here as long as you have now you have a Bless day and remember I’m asking you nicely to stop commenting on my name

    Reply
    4
  33. Vannyy

    @Vannyy: it doesn’t have

    Reply
  34. Vannyy

    Its does have the day i should receive with the two bars

    Reply
  35. Gapeach30

    @Tigerlili_1: okay thanks for that info just hoping for some movement. I guess the waiting game continues.

    Reply
  36. Gators352

    @Tigerlili_1: girl bye it’s true I had it done to me a the entire hospital and a business firm had the same thing done about late deposits I’m speaking on facts so bye girl

    Reply
  37. Vannyy

    I had an offset for state but it was paid through my state and received the remaining ddd

    Reply
  38. Gators352

    @Tigerlili_1: someone as about early deposits I said because of the holiday the early deposits will not take effect

    Reply
    1
  39. ItsMine

    @Tigerlili_1: I see you have Pen Fed. Do they release deposits early? My ddd is 2/23.

    Reply
  40. Vannyy

    Wmr has to bars approved and approved for direct deposit but doesn’t not have a date , is this bad im having a panic attack

    Reply