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. vannyy

    @Sheila_33: I have that message too . ,I have two bars refund approved for direct deposit but doesn’t not have a date for deposit. Just if its not received by February 28 just back.

    Reply
    1
  2. 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!

    @Tigerlili_1: hey hun do you know if once they send your $$ to your bank account you have issues looking at the eps site???
    Again thank you for all your help you and Mrs shellia 33 have been my life savors n have gotten a fan n praiser of this page and the awesome helpful people here.
    I shall be a repeat here from here on out as long as page n I exist

    Reply
  3. Lilmama

    @Okiegurl
    Boa never deposit early. I’ve been with them for years and it always been in the DDD date.

    Reply
  4. StephanieONegative

    @OhWell: last year I had an offset and the remainder of my return was DD the day before my transcript had as my DDD

    Reply
  5. texasmomof3

    @Quana: Did you review your transcripts online for the first time? if so, then that may be what your letter is about, my sons received a letter from the IRS when he signed up with ID me and viewed his transcripts online for the first time, so the irs sent a letter telling him it was accessed and that’s all the letter was about.

    Reply
  6. B

    I am doing direct deposit through credit karma, and am receiving the child tax credit.
    The CMR was updated today to approved but offset due to a federal/ state obligation. ( I owe money to unemployment) But I called treasury offset and it’s only 10% of my refund.
    No refund as of yet or DD
    I will update for anyone who has similar situations 😊

    Reply
  7. 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!

    @Roni: Some offsets don’t show an offset code until 1 or 2 weeks after it is taken.

    Reply
  8. vannyy

    @4theloveof$: I really hope so cause Im freaken out. I dont understand why I have two orange bars but I dont have the date for my ddd 2/23 like my transcripts .

    Reply
  9. StephanieONegative

    @4theloveof$: that may be true for some, but I hate to say I had fees taken from my refund this year and my WMR doesn’t have that message. I had it last year and I ended up having state taxes from a few years prior garnished.

    Reply
    1
  10. Okiegurl

    @Guera: ah chucks!! Guess I’ll have to wait it out til the 23rd!! 😔

    Reply
  11. 4theloveof$

    @Vannyy I also had the same message. I didn’t owe anything that it mentioned in the message ex. Child support, past taxes. I researched and found out that if you had your fees taken out of your refund that it will show the message that we got.

    Reply
  12. Roni

    Got topic 203. Called offset number and there is an offset there but on transcript only show code 846 with 2/23 date. I don’t have coded 898 or 899

    Reply
  13. OhWell

    @Amy19: so if my offset was paid thru my refund I get the difference and it’s sent on my ddd? Is there a chance it will be the day before?

    Reply
  14. 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!

    @Okiegurl: daughter has boa never gets anything early

    Reply
  15. 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!

    Anyone else having problems logging into thier eps account to verify funds been sent to thier banks???

    Reply
  16. Okiegurl

    Anybody know if Bank of America releases funds early??? I have DDD of 2/23/23!

    Reply
  17. mrsgee80

    I never get on here. Since I’m in the same situation as many others, I figured I’ll tell you what I was just told by a CK rep. She said if you are taking out fees with refund, or received advance you would not be eligible for 5 day advance. I will not see my funds until the IRS releases it to them.

    Reply
    5
  18. Quana

    @Tigerlili_1: no, I didn’t order any. I’ve only reviewed them online. So I’m not sure what this letter may be about.

    Reply
  19. Rebe

    Anybody got a DDD of 02/23 and used Tax Slayer and Navy Federal?

    Reply
    1
  20. Quana

    @Brat_ of_ course: did you pay fees up front ot taken from your refund? Congrats

    Reply
  21. Matt H
    • Tax Preparer:
      H&R Block
    • Date Filed:
      Feb-20
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Chime
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Feb-20
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Clos: I think you’re spot on. I’m right there with you!

    Reply
    1
  22. Quana

    @Not logged in kdinaz: did you get fees taken out or did you pay up front? Congrats 👏

    Reply
  23. 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: Not sure. Hopefully your refund is there then on your DDD. If not, you will need to call.

    Reply
  24. JayLaw

    @bleuinboston: Gotcha. That’s what I figured, I thought since Monday was a holiday though maybe there’s a chance, but it’s coming. Thanks!

    Reply
  25. bleuinboston

    @JayLaw: i looked at their hours and it seems they are open today: 7am to 4pm pst. I still doubt we will see any movement today. Im not being negative but Ive already accepted the fact that I wont see that 🤑 until the day before my dd.

    Reply
    2
  26. 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!

    @csmith92: I do not know about Wells Fargo. M & T is a traditional, regular, brick and mortar bank.

    Reply
  27. Vannyy

    @Amy19: i had an offset but take from my state already and got balance remaining deposited to me yesterday

    Reply
  28. 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!

    I’m sorry I had to get like that with you tigerLily. I don’t come on here to argue and if you reread what I said then I think you’ll see I was not trying to be rude. Everyone is worried and trying to figure their different situations out. We just didn’t understand each other and that’s okay. I was trying to end it when I said have a good day, so I didn’t expect that reply. Sorry if I hurt your feelings. ( I’m not going to put a smiley face this time, maybe that got taken the wrong way ). Still hope you have a great day!

    Reply
    5
  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: only time will tell. If you owe the entire refund amount to pay a debt, you won’t get the refund. If it is an offset amount that is less than your refund amount, you will get the difference as your refund.

    Reply
  30. JayLaw

    Does the SB from TT operate on Saturdays? We elected to have our fees out of our refund. DDD of 2/23. Just curious..

    Reply
  31. Vannyy

    @Amy19: does tht mean in wont get refund on 2/23 like on transcripts

    Reply
  32. Vannyy

    @Jennifer: no date two orange bars approved. On transcripts 846 2/23

    Reply
  33. 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: it might be a glitch on WMR because your transcripts have the 846 and a date. BUT, it might not be a glitch if you have an offset. The transcript date would show the date your funds are released, whether to you or to the offset.

    Reply
    1
  34. csmith92

    @Amy19 Thankyou. I am wondering though. Isnt Wells Fargo a traditional bank?

    Reply
  35. Jennifer

    @MOE: Basically and You’re Welcome!!

    Reply
  36. MOE

    @Jennifer: It is less other words they adjusted Thank u Jenn

    Reply
  37. Jennifer

    @Vannyy: You should have a date if you have 2 orange bars. You sure you are looking at it correctly ?

    Reply
  38. 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!

    @csmith92: M &T is a traditional bank, I have used them before, they deposited on the DDD, not earlier.

    Reply
  39. Jennifer

    @Pather0505,2/23,DONE: Congrats!!

    Reply
  40. Vannyy

    @Amy19: i have approved direct deposit but on the wmr the two orange bars dont have a date is that bad . My transcripts say 846 2/23 so will i not get on that day

    Reply