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. Michigander80
    • Tax Preparer:
      TaxAct
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-28
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bars:
      No Bars-PATH Act Message
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-29
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Feb-17
    • I Got My Refund!

    Hello Shelia, I just want to confirm the amount when you press number 2 on the offset that it says paid, is that the amount deducted from your refund or the amount your refund will be?

    Reply
  2. Ladonna

    @CarolinaWonderer: not that I know of. From what I read there was an update but not a big one. I’m just wondering what’s the best way to know if someone has used your name

    Reply
    1
  3. CarolinaWonderer

    Did transcripts update today

    Reply
  4. CarolinaWonderer

    Did transcripts update tofa

    Reply
  5. Ladonna

    Hello all,
    I filed yesterday 2/18 and I’m still not able to see my information. I haven’t been accepted it which isn’t a big deal. My question is how do I know or find out if my information was used? Does the IRS usually reject you right away after you try to send your information in? Or does it pend and the gets rejected? I’m just trying to figure out if that was the case would I know immediately. I’m just guessing I haven’t been accepted yet due to the holiday and or weekend but I’m not sure if that’s really the case. Has anyone filed this week as well? Any updates so far?

    Reply
  6. 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!

    @SSDD: No, ACH is closed

    Reply
  7. Me

    @MOE: will it fix it’s self

    Reply
  8. 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!

    @Angeel: If your transcript has an 846 with the date beside it, you’ll see your deposit around that day minus what was taken for the offset.

    Reply
  9. Angeel

    @Sheila_33: so we will receive our refund like normal on transcripts 846 2/23 even though wmr has approved for direct deposit but not a date

    Reply
    1
  10. Vern.eee.Boo

    @Quana: this has been true for me the past 4 tax seasons I get it on the ddd no early deposits if u have fees taken out unfortunately

    Reply
    3
  11. 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!

    A topic 203 on the Wmr is an offset. It is not for fees being taken from the 3rd party bank for processing. You can call the offset line for IRS debts and non debts. A tax topic 203 will not show a code on the transcript until a week or two later after the refund code has been posted and sent.

    Reply
    3
  12. ThePancakeMom

    Filed 2/10 through HRBlock with all credits and injured spouse for the first time. Accepted the same day. WMR shows accepted with the 152 typical topic. I was wondering if they take the offset first for my husband and then give it back? We electronically filed the return with the injured spouse form. Just trying to get a better timeline of events, thanks in advance!

    Reply
  13. Vern.eee.Boo

    @Jenny O: they most likely didn’t get fees taken out their refund so it went straight to their own bank account rather than if u got fees it goes to the stbg bank first then the stbg bank releases the money to u after they take what u owe

    Reply
  14. Andrea

    Good morning everyone so I filed 2/14 accepted within an hour, one bar wmr, transcript 2022 says n/a but wages has 2022 link but then says no record of return filed, last year I filed 2/16 and dd hit 2/22. I’m wondering why it’s taking longer this year and am getting worried…

    Reply
  15. Angeel

    @D2RFX: when you call off set hotline?

    Reply
  16. MOE

    I have 570 code but no 971 code letter

    Reply
  17. Angeel

    @meandmydogs: i did after i put my social it@meandmydogs: no offset or debt with that information after i put ssi no option 2 after that

    Reply
  18. Jenny O

    @smokyraidaz05: how do people get deposits early when stbg hasn’t even sent the money yet?

    Reply
    1
  19. Quana

    @Stillwaitinginfairburnga: probably not. If you paid fees out of your refund and such, it probably won’t be deposited until 2/22 or the exact date of 2/23… sadly

    Reply
  20. meandmydogs

    @Angeel: 800-304-3107 press 7 to continue press 1 for english press 1 again enter social # reenter social# then press 2

    Reply
    1
  21. D2RFX

    @Angell: I have the same issues I’m thinking it’s an error because when I called it said something about snap benefits and I never in my life received snap benefits

    Reply
  22. Angeel

    @meandmydogs: when u enter my ssi it doesn’t give me option 2

    Reply
  23. meandmydogs

    @Angell: call the offset number again and press 2 instead of 1. Pressing 1 told me I had no offset, called back and pressed 2 for offset that had already been paid and it was 411.00

    Reply
  24. MOE

    @Tigerlili_1: I got 570 code but not 971 no notice sent why

    Reply
  25. Sandra123

    @Skpride: i filed on 2/8 as well and in in the same situation. I wonder if they had a glitch that day and if we need to call or wait to see if they process us this week. If I don’t process this week in calling maybe we need to be resequenced.

    Reply
  26. SSDD

    Does anyone know if cashapp will do any posting deposits tonight? I know tomorrow is a banking holiday but I was just wondering.

    Reply
  27. Me

    @Tigerlili_1: what kind of changes could it be. Will it still update in a week cause I’m a weekly or is it gonna take forever to get return

    Reply
  28. Christi86

    I’m sorry if this question has been asked and answered but this was my first year using HRB. I did pay fees with refund and also had the emerald advance deducted. Dies hrb release funds before the did or will it be Thursday? Thanks so much

    Reply
  29. 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!

    @Me: 971 is notice sent, usually about changes made to your return.

    Reply
  30. Skpride

    I filled 2/8, both federal and state accepted an hour later. Federal still n/a on transcripts except for wages and stuck on one bar on WMR. Just checked my state and it has a ddd of 2/22. This is the first time in 17 years of doing taxes that I got state before federal. Hope I at least get a transcript update early this week.

    Reply
  31. Me

    @Tigerlili_1: I meant 971 with 0.00 and 570 0.00 before the 971. Just filed one w2 cause that’s all we had to file. Idk what in the world

    Reply
    1
  32. Me

    @Tigerlili_1: not at all

    Reply
  33. Stillwaitinginfairburnga

    Is sbtpg processing refunds into accounts tomorrow

    Reply
    1
  34. Clos

    For those wondering about offsets. I had my refund taken back in 2019. For me the DDD showed up but 2 weeks later I had the code saying refund taken on my transcripts. I know in California they will take the state refund to pay debt. Every state is different.

    Reply
  35. Me

    @Tigerlili_1: no

    Reply
  36. 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!

    @PBkreyol: If you can look at your transcripts, that could be helpful. If you’ve sat without processing for too long, that cab happen though. So, I’d try to look at your transcripts.
    We’re you held up under PATH ACT?

    Reply
  37. Clos

    @Me: all I can say in my case i was delayed for week for it to fix itself out since I am a weekly

    Reply
  38. PBkreyol
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-22
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • I Got My Refund!

    GM all. I’ve been lurking, popping in from time-to-time. My bar disappeared like 2 wks ago and am still with that “being processed” message. Anyone move on from that? I’m beginning to get nervous here. 😓

    Reply
  39. 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!

    @Angell: No, that doesn’t trigger a code.

    Reply
  40. 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!

    @Me: Did you file innocent spouse?
    That’s what that code is.

    Reply