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. TexasCandy
    • Tax Preparer:
      H&R Block
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-18
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      USAA
    • Bars:
      No Bars-PATH Act Message
    • Date Accepted:
      Feb-1
    • Transcript:
      Mailed
    • I Got My Refund!

    DDD of 2/23. Pather, TT with advance. See you next year!

    Reply
    1
  2. TZinTucky

    Well, I was finally able to access Account Transcript today…..however, it’s completely blank with only an “As of date” for Mar 13, 2023…..any ideas?

    Reply
  3. MOE

    I up dated on friday my WMR and cycle code is 05 am I daily

    Reply
  4. sleeplessnightstill2ndbar

    Hey does H&R block deposit early to netspend accounts? I didn’t opt for the Emerald card. They sent me a notification saying the IRS processed my return and that it will be available within the next few business days.

    Reply
    3
  5. Roni

    @Tigerlili_1: but I don’t know if the offset is my whole amount of my income tax

    Reply
  6. Me

    @Gators352: thank you

    Reply
  7. Gators352

    @Me: 971 letter coming

    Reply
  8. 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!

    @JayLaw: The day before your DDD.

    Reply
  9. Gators352

    @Me: if I’m not mistaken I know that 971 is a letter that is coming to you and you might need to ID/Verfy

    Reply
  10. Omega dread

    Just got refund update from hnr block tracker

    Reply
  11. 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!

    @Roni: You will. They just deduct the offset and release the remainder.

    Reply
  12. Roni

    I hope i get my refund. I was told that even if you have an offset you may still get your refund. Mine is California EDD. I don’t know how much to

    Reply
  13. JayLaw

    If we have a DDD of 2/23and filed with TT electing to have fees taken out of the refund, it probably won’t be funded to TPG early as today, right? I’m thinking it won’t be until next week, but wanted to see what y’all think…

    Reply
  14. Andrea D

    @4theloveof$: option 2 there is none

    Reply
  15. Me

    On my transcript it has 570 2/27 0.00 and 971 3/6 0.00 what does this mean plz help

    Reply
  16. Andrea D

    @FLgrly84 (not signed in): the number 800 304 3107?

    Reply
  17. 4theloveof$

    @vannyy: Yes mine says the same thing. I called the offset line again to double check and I pressed 1 and 2 and it says there is no debt to be paid.

    Reply
    1
  18. spring

    @Andrea D: I have 150 806 570 on my 150 $703.00 i was told that is my adjustment

    Reply
  19. Roni

    @Sheila_33: wow. I’m hoping I get it. I heart that the don’t take unemployment overpayment from federal just from state income tax

    Reply
  20. Me

    Are codes 806 766 768 570 971 good codes plz help

    Reply
  21. Charles Cook

    @4theloveof$: I was freaking tf out 😂 thanks for the quick reply!

    Reply
  22. spring

    @Andrea D: no 846 not yet

    Reply
  23. Dime

    @Mommabear2340: same for me

    Reply
  24. Mommabear2340

    Hi first time posting long time lurker just out of curiosity I filed with H&R Block and it’s going to be deposited to my emerald card I got a ddd of 2/23 , do they deposit early ? And where can I check on the status of the deposit I didn’t get an advance so it would be just for the fees to be taken out

    Reply
  25. Andrea D

    @spring: after 846

    Reply
  26. Andrea D

    @spring: on transcripts. I have codes 150 806 766 768 846 – 2/23 no other codes

    Reply
  27. spring

    @Andrea D: Transcripts

    Reply
  28. Andrea D

    I woke you to wmr refund approved two bars but has not date . Direct deposit approved , however partially or all refund will be used to pay debt child support etc . If not received by February 28,2023 check back . Transcripts updated yesterday to 846 2/23 . I have codes 150 806 766 768 and was on path message. My amount on wmr is my refund

    Reply
  29. spring

    @Andrea D: 570 code

    Reply
  30. FLgrly84 (not signed in)

    @Ken: make sure you press 2 to find out which offset was paid.
    We had a payment like $40 come out (I can see our refund pending in our bank) but yet it said we had no offset on the offset hotline but when I pressed 2 to find out what was paid it gave me the info. Also no offset code on wmr page.

    Reply
  31. Andrea D

    @spring: how do you know? Did u see a code on transcripts? Or wmr

    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!

    @Ank: u are so sweet… I hope Santa gets it soon too… able find something out tooo…. Santa I’m 🙏 for you Hun with 🤞🤞🤞🤞 also sweetie

    Reply
  33. spring

    @Sheila_33: I have 570 adjustment how would i know how much they are adjusting does it say on my transcript.

    Reply
  34. Lisa Grassa

    Out of curiosity, has anyone gotten their netspend with a ddd of 2/23? Best of luck to you all!!

    Reply
  35. KeiaG34

    I am pather, No wmr update just the your refund is delayed beyond the normal time frame message. Transcripts still blank. No movement whatsoever. Filed and accepted 1/30. I update weekly. Should I be worried ?

    Reply
    1
  36. vannyy

    @Ken: do you have with the 2 orange bars the date ? I don’t just on transcripts ddd 2/23

    Reply
    1
  37. vannyy

    @Ank: I would call before and I had one for state. I called today and It says have none , it was paid yesterday from my tax already so confused now

    Reply
    1
  38. Bk123

    Hello, I am PATHEr, filed 1/27. Topic 153 gone, no transcript is available. No changes from last year. Anyone knows why I am not updating?

    Reply
    1
  39. spring

    Have a adjustment how will i know how much no letter

    Reply
  40. Ank

    Just an update on my progress I was was greatful to see that i was approved on WMR around 6 this A.M. (Est) for DDD 2/23. Filed and accepted 2/3 weekly account.

    Reply