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. Ondeerun

    @MOE: yes more than 21 days for me was accepted 23rd last month

    Reply
    2
  2. BBkansas24
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Feb-22
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      City national bank and trust
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Feb-26
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20231105
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Apr-3
    • I Got My Refund!

    Has anyone not been accepted after filing ? I filed 2.19 and the holiday was 2.20 I thought this would matter but I was told it wouldn’t. This is the first time I filed in February after 18th usually file in January.

    TIA

    Reply
    4
  3. Curious

    @Taxxcrazzyy: I went to Republic bank and trust refund status…

    Reply
    5
  4. Always here

    Sbbt usually sends money after 4est time that’s how it’s been for me for last 4 yrs so a day before your deposit date and after 4

    Reply
    6
  5. Reality

    @Vannyy: That means you will not get the dd. I would give them a call.

    Reply
    22
  6. basketcasemomma

    Shelia- I have a question about my transcript. Do you know if last year’s (2021) transcript will show the DDD for that year? I see it on this year’s, but not last. Is there a way to see that on there?

    Reply
    1
  7. PURPLEGHOST

    @laila mine also, no idea what that means

    Reply
  8. Taxxcrazzyy

    @marykelly: hi how do you check republic bank?

    Reply
  9. Taxxcrazzyy

    @basketcasemomma: ohh i see, ok thanks will do

    Reply
    1
  10. Ad

    Hopefully some movement. Been processing with amount in green since 2/6

    Reply
  11. 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!

    @marykelly: WHOOT WHOOT 🎉🎉🎉

    Reply
    1
  12. Sammie@TheBeautiBar

    @Tigerlili_1: as of today? I filed with H &R Block so Im waiting DDD 2/23

    Reply
    1
  13. MOE

    @Ondeerun: Me too has it been 21 days

    Reply
  14. marykelly
    • Tax Preparer:
      Other
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-28
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Serve
    • Bars:
      2nd Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-28
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20230605
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • As of:
      Feb-20
    • I Got My Refund!

    Finally funded today by Republic Bank. Waiting on serve to release the payment. My DDD is tomorrow.

    Reply
    7
  15. Shelby082

    What is SBBT ?

    Reply
  16. Laila

    My transcripts show no returned filed . I filed on 2/2 …

    Reply
  17. basketcasemomma

    @Taxxcrazzyy: It may not be through them. SBBT is who I go through because of TT. I just learned about this site last year lol. Maybe ask Shelia. She is so good with things like that I think

    Reply
    1
  18. basketcasemomma

    @Vannyy: Mine says the same. It will update tomorrow I think, as I have read from this page.

    Reply
    1
  19. Ondeerun

    “We are sorry but your return processing has been delayed beyond the norm mail timeframe” should this concern me have never seen it before

    Reply
  20. Roni

    @Angeel: yes. But no amount, just the agency and the number to call the agency

    Reply
  21. Me

    @Sheila_33: thanks for all your help. I’m praying

    Reply
  22. 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!

    This link has the phone numbers to various departments, including exam and review depts.
    https://igotmyrefund.com/talk-to-human-at-irs/

    Reply
    1
  23. Rust

    And no fees, I should add

    Reply
  24. Rust

    @Tigerlili Would you happen to know anything about Axos Bank? I’m 2/22/23 DDD and typically get my direct deposits a day or two early as they dont hold but still nothing so far. All good codes, WMR says approved.

    Reply
    1
  25. 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!

    @Me: I’m hoping that 570 updates to a 571 this Friday with an 846 for quite a few of you. That was the pattern for some last year. Reps can only look so deep into a return and unfortunately don’t have any more info than what you can log in and see on your transcript. It’s going to be a long few days but let’s see what Friday brings. Fingers crossed, it’s a refund date.

    Reply
    1
  26. TheQueenofBee

    @Tigerlili_1: I’m a weekly again this year , can my transcripts still update any day of the week any time ? Or will the only time they will update be Friday ? I’ve been wondering and same with wmr if there’s been any change in my situation would I be able to see it now or not . I’m going to call irs today after I see if this letter that there is no image for in my
    Mail is from irs or not and try and see if I can’t get someone nice enough to give me answers … and I know people said Sheila posted it I don’t know where to look do u happen to know the number I would call for the held for further examination dept ?

    Reply
  27. LIBBY

    GM,I filed with turbo tax days later I got the three bars saying received now it shows nothing and were says still processing and transcript not updated I filed on 1/29

    Reply
  28. DIME

    @MileHighSkye: i JUST DID THIS. GAVE ME THE SAME INFORMATION ASSUMING I WOULD GET IT TODAY SINCE ITS CHIME THANK YOU.

    Reply
  29. Vannyy

    @basketcasemomma: mine shows fees amount but by paid $0.00 i have unfunded my transcripts 846 is 2/23.

    Reply
    2
  30. mickey m
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-29
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Credit Karma checking
    • Bars:
      3rd Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-29
    • Date Approved:
      Mar-21
    • WMR Date:
      Mar-26
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20251205
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Apr-7
    • Processing Date:
      Apr-15
    • I Got My Refund!

    @NY-Khidd: I took your advice checked again it’s processing but I’m still not very hopeful given the last 2 years.

    Reply
  31. Shelby082

    @NY-Khidd have you received your refund yet? I see you bank with Chime and I do as well

    Reply
    1
  32. Angeel

    @Roni: when u call offset you press 7 then 1 for English then 1 to see tax refund if federal or state will payment has been or will be offset press 1 then 1 for social??

    Reply
  33. DIME

    @Camila Bozner: I SWEAR I DID THE SAME THING AND IM THINKING I WONT DO THIS AGAIN WITH H&R BLOCK.

    Reply
  34. Quana

    @G: sometime tomorrow… they usually deposit a day prior to your DDD…

    Reply
    3
  35. Taxxcrazzyy

    @basketcasemomma: i checked and it says info not found does that mean its not funded yet

    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!

    @Camila Bozner: Did you pay your fees from your refund?

    Reply
  37. TheQueenofBee

    @im him: it’s not that crazy I filed on the 8th accepted on the 9th and my transcripts updated on the 17th sadly I’m under review but if I wasn’t I would of been done in one week lol so ya don’t give up hope chances of updating this week are good lots of
    People are moving really fast

    Reply
  38. Me

    @TheQueenofBee: yea she was rude and deff wouldn’t tell me anything but the letter hasn’t even been sent lol. But on wmr I have tax topic 152 crazy.

    Reply
  39. Taxxcrazzyy

    @basketcasemomma: thank you so much!

    Reply
    1
  40. basketcasemomma

    @Taxxcrazzyy: Oh okay. Well, if whoever used TurboTax- you go to the SBBT page and put in your info and it should bring up a screen with refund amount fees taken out. My DDD is 2/23, so it shows it’s unfunded. Tomorrow, that will change.

    Reply
    4