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
49,285 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. Azluckyfish

    If transcript update today and there’s anything wrong it would pop up code today or after path lifts

    Reply
  2. 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!

    Here’s a link to help decipher your transcript and the codes and dates on it:
    https://igotmyrefund.com/irs-transaction-codes-and-error-codes/

    Reply
  3. 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!

    @Tigerlili_1: Nice, they’re moving faster this year.

    Reply
    1
  4. 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!

    @Sheila_33: I was surprised to see our 2022 ready except 846. I just needed 2021 for FAFSA

    Reply
  5. 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!

    Good morning all! Looks like we have some transcripts updating. Congrats to all that are seeing refund dates!

    Reply
    3
  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!

    @Mbry0625: How are you doing this year.

    Reply
  7. Phillyhero64

    @VERYBERRYBLUBERRY: weekly

    Reply
  8. FrazierGurl
    • Tax Preparer:
      Other
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-17
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Chime
    • Bars:
      No Bars-PATH Act Message
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-17
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-17
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      05
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Feb-13
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Mbry0625: @Hopera: Well it looks like I’m on the Path Ride…. So I wait☺️

    Reply
    2
  9. BigHen73
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-5
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Lincoln Savings (Cash App)
    • Bars:
      3rd Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-16
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-3
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-7
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      05
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Feb-19
    • I Got My Refund!

    My transcripts are complete and showing deposit for 02-01-2023. I’m having it dd to my Cash App so I hope to get it Monday. Good luck everyone!!!

    Reply
    6
  10. Brittany Amador
    • Tax Preparer:
      H&R Block
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-29
    • Fees:
      In Advance
    • Bank:
      USAA
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-29
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      05
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Mbry0625: woohooo!!! Same! Come on 2/1. Hopefully sooner but I’m not expecting it to be in my account before 1/31 we only get a day early on dd

    Reply
  11. Mbry0625
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-19
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Chime
    • Bars:
      What Bars?
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • I Got My Refund!

    @FrazierGurl: no path credits.

    Reply
    2
  12. Hopera

    @FrazierGurl: no my days of having kids young enough for that is over

    Reply
    1
  13. FrazierGurl
    • Tax Preparer:
      Other
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-17
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Chime
    • Bars:
      No Bars-PATH Act Message
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-17
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-17
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      05
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Feb-13
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Hopera: Did you have any path credits?

    Reply
  14. VERYBERRYBLUBERRY

    @FrazierGurl: yes

    Reply
  15. VERYBERRYBLUBERRY

    @FrazierGurl: thank you so much

    Reply
  16. Hopera

    @Mbry0625: same here!! Congrats now to wait for the deposit to arrive

    Reply
    2
  17. FrazierGurl
    • Tax Preparer:
      Other
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-17
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Chime
    • Bars:
      No Bars-PATH Act Message
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-17
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-17
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      05
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Feb-13
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Mbry0625: Congratulations 🎉 Did you have path credits?

    Reply
  18. FrazierGurl
    • Tax Preparer:
      Other
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-17
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Chime
    • Bars:
      No Bars-PATH Act Message
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-17
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-17
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      05
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Feb-13
    • I Got My Refund!

    @VERYBERRYBLUBERRY: Weekly

    Reply
  19. FrazierGurl
    • Tax Preparer:
      Other
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-17
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Chime
    • Bars:
      No Bars-PATH Act Message
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-17
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-17
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      05
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Feb-13
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Azluckyfish: Yes it will. It sounds like they’re still processing.

    Reply
    1
  20. VERYBERRYBLUBERRY

    What is 20230405 code is that weekly or daily.

    Reply
  21. Brittany Amador
    • Tax Preparer:
      H&R Block
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-29
    • Fees:
      In Advance
    • Bank:
      USAA
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-29
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      05
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Phillyhero64: it should continue filling in as it’s being processed. If your path it won’t show a 846 code until after the 15th but if not path then it’ll have the 846 code with a ddd next to it

    Reply
    2
  22. Sebastian
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-17
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Charles Schwab
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-19
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Phillyhero64: same here 2022 account transcript is blank.

    Reply
    2
  23. Phillyhero64

    My account transcript shows 2022 with nothing populated yet. It seems like it’s updating

    Reply
    3
  24. Ashinil

    @Sheila_33: no the only codes I have on my account transcripts are 150 and 806

    Reply
  25. Mbry0625
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-19
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Chime
    • Bars:
      What Bars?
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • I Got My Refund!

    846 ddd 2/1. Yay quickest ever.

    Reply
    7
  26. Azluckyfish

    @FrazierGurl: I think mines finally starting to update account transcripts does not show n/a will the rest update today as well

    Reply
    4
  27. FrazierGurl
    • Tax Preparer:
      Other
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-17
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Chime
    • Bars:
      No Bars-PATH Act Message
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-17
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-17
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      05
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Feb-13
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Sharon. O: You’re more than welcome 🤗

    Reply
  28. Sharon. O

    @FrazierGurl: ok thank u

    Reply
    1
  29. FrazierGurl
    • Tax Preparer:
      Other
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-17
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Chime
    • Bars:
      No Bars-PATH Act Message
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-17
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-17
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      05
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Feb-13
    • I Got My Refund!

    Account transcripts updated. No 846 yet, as of date 2/13 😕 But I do have an extra credit so that’s beautiful 🤩

    Reply
    2
  30. FrazierGurl
    • Tax Preparer:
      Other
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-17
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Chime
    • Bars:
      No Bars-PATH Act Message
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-17
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-17
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      05
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Feb-13
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Sharon. O: It sounds like they’re still updating. I would check again later.

    Reply
  31. Sharon. O

    All my return transcripts for 2022 were N/A except for wages. Just checked 5 minutes ago and return transcripts now show 2022 with as of date of 2/13. Could my transcripts starting to be filling in

    Reply
  32. Mike
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-19
    • Fees:
      In Advance
    • Bank:
      BOA
    • Bars:
      3rd Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-21
    • Date Approved:
      Jan-24
    • WMR Date:
      Jan-29
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20250405
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • As of:
      Feb-10
    • Processing Date:
      Jan-23
    • I Got My Refund!

    Account transcript updated! DD2/1

    Reply
    4
  33. theresa
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-29
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Credit karma
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-29
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • I Got My Refund!

    To add to my last post my credits do show on my transcripts with all codes except for that lovely 846

    Reply
    1
  34. NY-Khidd
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-7
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      CHIME
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-16
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Brittany Amador: literally it happened in 5 minutes … one minute it was n/a now the account transcript is showing

    Reply
    1
  35. theresa
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-29
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Credit karma
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-29
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • I Got My Refund!

    Just checked transcripts and finally they are showing with an as of date of 2-13 so I’m hoping i get my dd the 15th or 16th since I was in the test batch 🙏

    Reply
    1
  36. Brittany Amador
    • Tax Preparer:
      H&R Block
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-29
    • Fees:
      In Advance
    • Bank:
      USAA
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-29
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      05
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • I Got My Refund!

    @NY-Khidd: they’ll finish filling in but won’t show a 846 code until after the 15th due to path if you have EIC or ACTC

    Reply
    2
  37. NY-Khidd
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-7
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      CHIME
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-16
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • I Got My Refund!

    *says

    Reply
  38. NY-Khidd
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-7
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      CHIME
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-16
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • I Got My Refund!

    Account transcript no longer days n/a … but still blank as of date is 2/13/23

    Reply
  39. Brittany Amador
    • Tax Preparer:
      H&R Block
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-29
    • Fees:
      In Advance
    • Bank:
      USAA
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-29
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      05
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • I Got My Refund!

    My transcripts just updated! DDD of 2/1

    Reply
    1
  40. Brittany Amador
    • Tax Preparer:
      H&R Block
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-29
    • Fees:
      In Advance
    • Bank:
      USAA
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-29
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      05
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • I Got My Refund!

    @gnt: WMR usually lags a day or two after transcripts update. Check it again in the morning the 2nd bar should be there.

    Reply