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. Mlronq

    How long will it take to see an update after sending w2 to verify income

    Reply
  2. MamaHen0717:

    @Starr: no, only the 570. The other codes were normal credit codes.

    Reply
  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: well they just put it in the mail yesterday Hun. And that they do not do priority mail unless I pay for it n send them a picture of it or send them the sticker. SMH me go purchase that send it to them would made it take another 2 weeks. Also sd no notes anywhere bout making sure it to me by Thursday or thru priority mail anywhere on the account at all.

    Reply
  4. 804VA

    @Tigerlili_1: thank you

    Reply
  5. 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!

    @Guera: It should have been there Monday but no later than Wednesd😡

    Reply
    1
  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!

    @Jp: The cycle numbers are the file markers attached based on the dates your process. They’ve nothing to do with your refund date. They just help you snd more importantly the IRS determine when and how you process.

    Reply
  7. 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!

    @804VA: Yep

    Reply
    1
  8. Jesusisking

    @Shanshan: wonder why it would be on hold for

    Reply
  9. Shanshan

    @Shanshan: @Shanshan: the Am is a typo lol sorry

    Reply
  10. Shanshan

    @Jesusisking: Mine did the same thing i Id verified online in amyou have to do a call over phone with a live agent. to take my refund get off hold.
    Now I’m still waiting to update on transcript as well.

    Reply
    1
  11. Jp

    @Mlronq: got a 846 03/08 date. How does that correlate to the cycle numbers? Never understood the connection

    Reply
  12. 804VA

    FOR EVERYONES INFORMATION!!
    @Sheila_33

    I filed on Jan 20
    Accepted Jan 21
    I had one bar for about a week with tax topic 152
    After that it went to “STILL BEING PROCESSED”
    I received a 5071c letter and I ID VERIFIED THIS WEEKEND
    Today my transcript updated with an 846 code refund issued 3/8/2023

    Does this mean my DDD IS 3/8/2023???

    I did ID VERIFY

    Reply
    1
  13. 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!

    FINALLY .. NYS didn’t think they updated on fridays BUT I SURE DID
    ACCEPTED 1/29 … review message until path was lifted
    Your return has been processed. A direct deposit of your refund is scheduled to be issued on (MARCH 07, 2023) to the account you requested. If your refund is not credited to your account within 15 days of this date, check with your financial institution or tax preparer to find out if it has been received. See Direct deposit on our website.

    Reply
  14. IGMR Admin

    We had some technical difficulties.. sorry for any confusion and that we had downtime.

    Happy Refunding!

    Reply
    1
  15. 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!

    @Avery: just set it up this am but the issue is my funds were supposed to be to me,2)22 n then 3/2 I’m still waiting its coming from eps financial pathward Bank for JHEWITT

    Reply
  16. Me

    @proudma30: what time did you update on transcript

    Reply
  17. Avery

    @Guera: do you have informed delivery?

    Reply
  18. 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: …. been a long week…. still no check they just mailed it yesterday and there is no way they would ever send it priority mail or overnight ever. Check was printed out last Friday but barely supposably mailed out to me yesterday.

    Reply
  19. 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: Yes Hun 😳..u alive me too…lol

    Reply
  20. 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!

    Has @Guera been in?

    Reply
  21. 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!

    @Jesusisking: They shouldn’t. Bancorp, doesn’t cap government payments.

    Reply
  22. Meshkay

    @Gapeach30: Exactly I feel as though they’re playing games with us and it’s not fair

    Reply
    1
  23. Mlronq

    @ Jp it means you were added to the master file and begin processing on the 9th calendar week and 05 means you’re a weekly update. So updates on Friday/sat

    Reply
    1
  24. Jp

    Cycle date 20230905 means what? Please help.

    Reply
  25. MOE

    Is the up dating for transcripts done today or all day do I still have a chance to up date

    Reply
  26. Mlronq

    @ Blesib
    It still hasn’t updated? What about your transcript

    Reply
  27. Blesib

    Ok so I just wanted to share my situation I filed 2/25 I checked wmr but never updated, woke up with deposit.

    Reply
    4
  28. Starr

    @Gapeach30: it took my advocate about a week to get to me.

    Reply
  29. Mommyof3
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Feb-15
    • Fees:
      In Advance
    • Bank:
      Chime
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Feb-15
    • Date Approved:
      Mar-3
    • WMR Date:
      Mar-8
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • Processing Date:
      Mar-13
    • I Got My Refund!

    I really hope that me my refund don’t affect my son surviors benefits today as they always come by noon every month and I have nothing

    Reply
  30. Jesusisking

    My account transcript showing 2022 but not my record of transcript it still shows N/a what does this mean

    Reply
  31. proudma30

    Oops meant 846 code

    Reply
  32. proudma30

    Transcripts updated today with 847 code for 3/8

    Reply
  33. Gapeach30

    @Starr: I have not received any updates since filing 1/23. Luckily I was able to to get a tax advocate this morning. After I spoke with the 4th agent saying it’s looks like an adjustment being made but that’s all she could see and wait up to 10 weeks from filing. How long did it take the advocate to assist you. I was told I would be given a call back in two weeks today?

    Reply
  34. 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!

    @Starr: That’s the date the system wants you finished by.

    Reply
    1
  35. Cantcatchabreak

    @Sheila_33: yes I agree because the last time I had a check mailed which was 2021 due to the backlog from Covid in 2020. I recvd a Friday refund date and received it that following Thursday. So hopefully it gets mailed sooner 🤞🏽

    Reply
  36. TaurusGrl

    Filed February 16. My transcript populated over night. Got the 846 for March 8!!!!!!

    Reply
    2
  37. Starr

    @Sheila_33: what is the 3/20 date next to the codes and my as of date is also 3/20 ?

    Reply
  38. Wibbleywobbley

    Can’t sign in to check transcript keeps saying technical problem has occurred. Anyone else? Maybe they’re updating??

    Reply
  39. MOE

    @Mlronq: Me too the same

    Reply
  40. Starr

    @MamaHen0717:: did you get a 971 code??

    Reply