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. Ank

    @Sheila_33: I called:
    1-800-304-3107
    Press 7
    Wait
    Press 1
    Wait
    press 1
    Wait
    Press 1
    Wait
    Press 1
    Enter SSN
    CONFIRM SSN
    Wait for results. Tried it just now to make sure went through fine. That is Non-tax only.

    Reply
  2. Linda957

    Hello everyone, I’m new to the sight. Just bring some enlightens. I have a dad for 2-2-23 and just received my deposit today so it is possible to receive it this early and it’s the first time in along time that I got it before presidents day holiday 🙂

    Reply
    3
  3. vannyy

    @Ken: I know Im all panicked

    Reply
    1
  4. Ken

    @Walter DOG: I called the number and it says I have no offset. Which I knew I didn’t owe anything anywhere. So that’s weird.

    Reply
    1
  5. Ank

    @Santa: Have you still not been able to get anything to come up on WMR? Like it’s saying that the info doesn’t match their records right? I feel terrible that you are having so much trouble with it so long after filing. It’s going to sound crazy but I was thinking of you last night when I fell asleep and ended up dreaming of you. We were sitting together in my garden drinking beer and checking accounts on a laptop and I told you to try clicking a different filing status and you got in and saw your 2 bars and DDD. I KNOW THAT SOUNDS CRAZY ! But wouldn’t hurt to try. Are you clicking “single” or “head of household “? Mabey try clicking whichever other one that you haven’t been clicking with your SSN and expected refund amount and see if you can get in.? I really wish you luck.

    Reply
    1
  6. Ken

    @vannyy: I called and I have no offset! I wish they wouldn’t put that on there when I don’t have one.

    Reply
  7. vannyy

    @4theloveof$: Do You have on WMR refund approved 2 orange bars then on the bottom of it direct deposit approved but not the date. That’s why mine shows and the message

    Reply
    1
  8. Ken

    Ok I got my ddd 02/23/23
    2 orange bars. Mentions an offset and code 203 but I called and it says I have no debt or offset. That was scary! Thank goodness no offsets though they shouldn’t put that on there if you don’t have one!

    Reply
  9. 4theloveof$

    @Charles Cook: It seems a lot of us is getting this same message. I don’t have any back taxes, federal loans, or child support debts.

    Reply
  10. Catfish61

    i was accepted on 02/05/2023 i see that my transcript is blank, one bar on wmr i am not at the 21 days as of yet but getting close, so just a wait game, i also file the tax retention program get 450 thousand back from that, it’s also waiting for irs to approve, so im just thanking my God for the blessing, also had a full hip replacement on the 16th of February, getting around pretty good, and my business is doing great so no complaints on nothing.

    Reply
  11. MSRazorbackPhD

    @Charles Cook: In the past, it showed afterwards for me!

    Reply
  12. deedee2083

    I have DDD 2/23 fees already taken.. money was deposited this morning Wells Fargo

    Reply
    1
  13. Charles Cook

    Good morning! Quick question if you have a minute. I have codes 150, 766, 768, 806, and 846. The 846 shows the full amount that I was owed of $9664. But when WMR updated this morning, it says the part of my refun was used to pay another debt. Wouldn’t that have shown on my transcript when they posted the 846?

    Reply
  14. Ken

    @vannyy:
    Refund Status Results
    Print your Refund Results for your records.Take the survey.

    Return ReceivedRefund ApprovedRefund Sent
    Your return has been processed and refund amount approved.Your return has been processed and refund amount approved.

    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 use our free mobile app, IRS2Go, for your revised refund status. Updates to refund status are made no more than once a day.

    Please read the following information related to your tax situation:
    Tax Topic 203, Refund Offsets for unpaid child support and certain federal, state, and unemployment compensation debts

    Reply
  15. 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!

    @Sheila_33: Good morning, Sheila. I’m glad you are here now, it was a bit hectic earlier.

    Reply
    1
  16. 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!

    @Walter DOG: Good morning Walt. 🙂

    Reply
  17. 4theloveof$

    @MSRazorbackPhD: I checked my transcripts have a 846 for 2/23. The amount of refund is the same as it was before I got the message. Called the offset line, no debts that I owe. Turbo tax support says I could get the 203 code because I selected to pay with my refund (Refund Processing Service).

    Reply
  18. Gwen

    @Sheila_33: I hope so too. Thank you

    Reply
  19. TampaGirl1

    Just checked WMR and have a 2/22 date. Now I can buy me some teeth no red lobster this year lmao…. praying everyone gets their refund with no drama. See y’all next year!

    Reply
    1
  20. vannyy

    @Ken: what does exactly say . Cause I had one and it was paid with my state tax and they deposited the difference . I call the offset and it says I have none now that it was paid im so confused why i have . I have 2 orange bars approved then on the bottom approved for direct deposit nut I have not date like on transcripts 846 code 2/23 .

    Reply
  21. 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!

    @Ken: no it’s not standard

    Reply
  22. 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!

    @Sheila_33: Good morning Sheila got my refund yesterday but still here to help anyone out that needs it hope you and yours are doing well

    Reply
    1
  23. Ken

    I got my ddd for 2/23/23 but on mnr it mentions if I have an offset blah blah blah, but I am positive I don’t, is it standard for them to mention that you might have one. Or whatever?

    Reply
  24. 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!

    @Gwen: I’m hoping the system notified the treasury to kick out a check when you posted. They used to send checks out on Friday, but since they updated their processing, its possible they disperse any day now. Fingers crossed for you hun.

    Reply
    2
  25. 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!

    Just FYI eps site back up and working

    Reply
    1
  26. 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!

    @Kitty104: Can anyone chime in on how to access non IRS debt on the offset line?

    Reply
    1
  27. Kitty104
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-19
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Credit Karma
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-22
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      0605
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Feb-17
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-24
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Sheila_33: afternoon Mrs. Sheila I go through the prompts but I can’t seem to figure out how to get to the non tax debt information

    Reply
    1
  28. 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!

    @Gwen: hopefully on the DDD not after hopefully 🤞🤞🤞 for ya hun

    Reply
  29. Gwen

    @Guera: I’m hoping I get it by the 24th. 🤞 😁

    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!

    @vannyy: Go back into your previous years transcripts and see if there’s any 2023 dates. If it’s being taken for a federal debt, you should see the amount there. If it’s a non IRS debt, check the offset line and choose the non IRS option, and see if anything is there.

    Reply
  31. 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!

    @Gwen: np hun wish they did though ik my daughter wishes they would release funds early too

    Reply
  32. 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!

    @MSRazorbackPhD: I had fees taken out of my refund and I didn’t get them codes. Usually owe someone a bill, back taxes or something Hun. Not paying fees from refund… I pay my fees everywhere with my refund so I know for fact thats not it

    Reply
  33. Gwen

    @Guera: ok thank you

    Reply
  34. vannyy

    @Bgarrison: my transcript has all good codes

    Reply
  35. 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!

    @Gwen: 7-10buisness days once is mailed hun…. Monday is a holiday n weekend don’t count. They did that to me once when they had that glitch in the system during the monthly payment they sent during COVID 19

    Reply
  36. Stephaniegirl

    Just checked WMR and deposit date is 2/23. I bank with Wells Fargo so does that mean it will be post Tuesday 2/21 instead with early payday? Anyone one else have some insights?

    Reply
  37. Gwen

    Does anyone know when I might receive my refund check, for some reason it’s being sent through the mail. My refund date is for 2-24. On wmr it’s says it will be mailed by Feb 24? Thank you for your help

    Reply
  38. MSRazorbackPhD

    @4theloveof$: “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.”

    Never had the msg due to fees taken out of refund, because IRS wouldn’t have that knowledge. That msg means a debt was owed and paid!

    Reply
  39. Bgarrison

    I had and update this morning code saying that I owed money which I don’t

    Reply
  40. vannyy

    @vannyy: my transcripts have 150 806 766 768 846- 2/23 -$6069

    Reply
    1