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. Bub

    How do I get info in refund status for my business ERTC amended refund

    Reply
  2. Mlronq

    Still have 570/971 with delayed refund message and topic 152
    Filed late January and added a dependent. Still waiting on updates I wish I knew what was going on.

    Reply
    1
  3. 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!

    @Tigerlili_1: … Mi 😇 where are you???
    Just spoke to English bassed office in pa they can’t overnight or express delivery my check and who ever sd they would lied. OMG hun I’m sooo done I am now in a worse place then I was last week… OMG…. gonna be living under a bridge if landlord won’t wait another week. OMG 😭😭😭😭😭.

    Reply
  4. darkness

    @If only…: did your sbtpg fund today?

    Reply
  5. Ken

    @BB8:filed the 5th accepted same day same boat N/A on trans and one bar on wmr no letter just says a deposit date will show when available on wmr

    Reply
    1
  6. If only...
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Feb-7
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Netspend- Bancorp
    • Bars:
      What Bars?
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      05
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • I Got My Refund!

    @BB8: I was accepted the same day I have a 3/1 ddd

    Reply
    1
  7. KimInIndi

    @BB8: yep still N/A on tranny filed and accepted Feb 6th

    Reply
    1
  8. BB8

    I filed on 2/8….accepted on 2/9. Has been showing on 1st Bar “Return Received” since 2/13 every day since then……including this morning. Not seeing any progress. Anyone else with a file date the week of Feb 6th-10th seeing any movement, or better yet a DDD?

    Reply
  9. 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!

    @Kimbo: It is a strange I agree. I’m wondering if they’re doing an adjustment and that’s what the 971 is for. I would still be tempted to check those transcripts later today and see if they’re finished filling out.

    Reply
  10. Kimbo

    @Sheila_33: definitely have a negative balance but nothing after the 571 code apart from a March 20th date.

    I’m just confused what’s going on. Went from a 570 to a 571 with no letter even though a 971 is stated.

    Reply
  11. If only...
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Feb-7
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Netspend- Bancorp
    • Bars:
      What Bars?
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      05
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • I Got My Refund!

    Morning all!

    Reply
  12. 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!

    @Kimbo: If the account balance at the top of the codes is a negative amount, that’s what is due to you. No hold of the return with the 571 means the refund should have been released with an 846. You might check the account transcript on the top row on the right side of the columns and see if you can find anything there.

    Reply
  13. Kimbo

    @Sheila_33: I don’t qualify for child credit. Just withholding.

    Reply
  14. 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!

    @Kimbo: Did you file any child credits or was your refund going to be the amount you paid in on withholding?

    Reply
  15. Kimbo

    @Sheila_33: it’s as follows

    150
    806
    570
    971
    571

    Reply
  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!

    @Kimbo: Can you give me the list of code numbers you have without amounts? 571 means the review is completed and the hold is lifted.

    Reply
  17. 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!

    @amharrison130: Quite a few earlier were seeing a 2 week time frame to an update.

    Reply
  18. Kimbo

    @Sheila_33: no just the 571 as if today. So it means the didn’t find anything?

    Reply
  19. 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!

    @Amb: If there is a balance due to you, it will be sent to you. I’m just not sure of how long it will take.

    Reply
  20. 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!

    @Kimbo: 571 is a release of the hold. Is there an 846 with a date beside it?

    Reply
  21. Kimbo

    Hello,

    Got a 570 code 3 weeks ago followed by a 971 code. Haven’t received anything in the mail as of yet. But woke up to another code today morning of 571… any chance someone knows what’s going on?

    Reply
  22. chilax

    Just successfully processed my ID verify online. How long does it usually take to get reprocessed and refunded?

    Reply
  23. Sm0kincigs

    @markyewan: currently in the same boat. Will try my best to update if anything changes.🤞🙏

    Reply
  24. markyewan

    funded sbtpg this morning still not in account yet. no hold card so hopefully this afternoon. dont forgot to post updates if yours hits thanks yall

    Reply
    2
  25. Amb

    @Sheila_33: I have a question. If my federal and state taxes were intercepted by ca state for back taxes will they eventually send me the difference because they took way more then owed

    Reply
  26. Amb

    @Sheila_33: my federal taxes were intercepted for past due state taxes . My question is will ca state send me the difference because they also intercepted my state taxes so the total was way more then actually owed .

    Reply
  27. Aye4Apple

    @amharrison130: it took me two weeks. Well the two week mark was a Wed, but my transcripts updated that Friday with my DDD. I verified online though.

    Reply
  28. Pingping

    I still have the PATH message. No update and 570 code.

    Reply
  29. amharrison130

    Just went through ID verification over the phone. Anyone know how long it takes from the point of verifying to seeing an update?

    Reply
  30. Librawife

    Ddd 3/6, sbtpg funded this morning, when should I expect it to be in my account?

    Reply
  31. Brit & Thomas

    @If only…: mine says same thanks for the update glad it’s finally there

    Reply
    1
  32. Always here

    Mine says funded and account paid to me is there but it’s not on my credit karma account

    Reply
  33. If only...
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Feb-7
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Netspend- Bancorp
    • Bars:
      What Bars?
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      05
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • I Got My Refund!

    Sbbt*

    Reply
  34. If only...
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Feb-7
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Netspend- Bancorp
    • Bars:
      What Bars?
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      05
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • I Got My Refund!

    I got toy funded this morning!

    Reply
  35. Toddlerwars

    Updating because I haven’t seen anyone with DDD 3/1 with progress. SBTPG has been funded for me. It’s not in my account but it’s been funded and fees taken. Should see it by this evening or tomorrow morning.

    Reply
    2
  36. 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!

    @570 Go Away: ID verifies won’t show on the transcript or in the notices on the tax account. And since you updated to a 570 review code, it wouldn’t be an identification issue.

    Reply
  37. Brit & Thomas

    @If only…: thanks for the info I will check back later today hopefully it’s there

    Reply
  38. If only...
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Feb-7
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Netspend- Bancorp
    • Bars:
      What Bars?
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      05
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Brit & Thomas: If it goes like previous years, I get my dd late in the evening, but I can’t remember when sbbt showed fundeed

    Reply
  39. Sharon. O

    @570 Go Away: I’m a weekly also. Plus if I waited it would be another 2 weeks at least till I got the letter. Plus they are notorious for saying they sent letters and people never receiving them

    Reply
  40. Brit & Thomas

    @If only…:thanks still nothing on mine just checked again… it’s 331 here

    Reply