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. TeeDee44

    I’m going to move to Canada. This kind of thing only happens in America where someone can work the whole year for a garbage wage. As soon as I get my paycheck a percentage is taken out for “taxes”. And when it’s time for me to get that money back I essentially have to beg for it and be told to wait repeatedly. Nobody had to wait to take it from my paycheck.

    Reply
    8
  2. KeiaG34

    I filled 1/26 accepted same day. WMR has delayed message and tax topic 152 still. Transcripts n/a on top two and bottom two have no returned filed with as of date 2/20/23. Any ideas ?

    Reply
  3. zhosa

    Thought i’d share this email i received on feb. 24th, it just may provide some insight into your situations:

    Action Required
    “You’re receiving this email because you verified your identity on a video call with an ID.me Trusted Referee for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). You can now sign in with your ID.me account to access IRS online tools and services.

    Select the “Continue” button below to go to IRS.gov. Find the online service you previously used to start the ID.me account creation process, and then sign in with ID.me. You’ll be asked to consent to sharing your identity information with the IRS before accessing IRS services through ID.me for the first time.

    If you received a 5071C, 5447C, 5747C, or 6331C letter from the IRS, navigate back to the website listed in the letter to complete the final steps in your identity verification process”

    Now i am still sitting on “Your tax return is still being processed.” “A refund date will be provided when available.”, because i need to do the 2nd step with the letter, which is coming today (per informed delivery), so hopefully this is all i will need to do and hope to update this friday, but definitely the next, if there are no issues, of which i don’t think there will be, but i will definitley update.

    1/25: accepted/as of 2/13
    2/16: changed to delayed message, as of changed to 2/20, (next up, but need to verify according to the email i received)
    2/19: still being processed message, as of changed to 3/6, (when i should get letter)
    2/24: as of changed to 3/13, could have processed, but no code yet (2nd step)
    3/3: as of changed to 3/20, giving me time to get letter and verify before or by then.

    Reply
  4. zhosa

    they won’t allow my message to come thru…this could help someone but i guess they really don’t want people to understand this process.

    Reply
    1
  5. zhosa

    Just thought i’d share this email i received on feb. 24th, it just may provide some insight into your situations:

    Action Required
    “You’re receiving this email because you verified your identity on a video call with an ID.me Trusted Referee for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). You can now sign in with your ID.me account to access IRS online tools and services.

    Select the “Continue” button below to go to IRS.gov. Find the online service you previously used to start the ID.me account creation process, and then sign in with ID.me. You’ll be asked to consent to sharing your identity information with the IRS before accessing IRS services through ID.me for the first time.

    If you received a 5071C, 5447C, 5747C, or 6331C letter from the IRS, navigate back to the website listed in the letter to complete the final steps in your identity verification process”

    Now i am still sitting on “Your tax return is still being processed.” “A refund date will be provided when available.”, because i need to do the 2nd step with the letter, which is coming today (per informed delivery), so hopefully this is all i will need to do and hope to update this friday, but definitely the next, if there are no issues, of which i don’t think there will be, but i will definitley update.

    1/25: accepted/as of 2/13
    2/16: changed to delayed message, as of changed to 2/20, (next up, but need to verify according to the email i received)
    2/19: still being processed message, as of changed to 3/6, (when i should get letter)
    2/24: as of changed to 3/13, could have processed, but no code yet (2nd step)
    3/3: as of changed to 3/20, giving me time to get letter and verify before or by then.

    Reply
  6. proudma30

    Does sbtpg update on the weekend?

    Reply
  7. CG

    When your status goes from still being processed back to being processed w/ no bars, that’s a good thing, right?

    Reply
    1
  8. Meme

    Filed and accepted 2/10/23, went from its being processed to code 152 to code 570 to taking longer than usual processing time when checking wmr today with code 152, transcript shows code 570 with $0.00 (whatever that means?!) This year has been a strange year so far. As of date on transcript 03/06/23. Never had issues like this before. Any explanations to my situation would be appreciated. Anyone else going thru the same situation?

    Reply
  9. 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!

    So I had to refile on 2.22

    Accepted 2.26

    Finally have a transcript account transcript and wage but both blank. As of date is 3.20.2023

    They keep saying the reason it’s blank and the other one showing 0s is because of verification but I don’t have a notice that was sent yet.

    I thought it was because I’m not processed yet.

    No WMR status still says wait 24 hours, it’s been 6 days. But 152 code. I know movement can happen all day today got weekly people.

    Any ideas?
    Thanks in advance.

    Reply
  10. Goldilocks59

    my goodness… what is up with IRS and the increased ID verifying this year? totally get the reason for security but i am 63 and have filed under same name and address for 40 yrs. – not sure why I need verified.
    what a crazy tax year.

    Reply
    5
  11. Luckkky

    @Nae: 3-1 i was told i was sent out a letter to verify but i still haven’t received the letter and i still got a ddd of the 3/8 today

    Reply
    1
  12. iLaila88

    @iLaila88: *went from still being processed to (is being processed) typo

    Reply
  13. iLaila88

    Good morning.
    A summary of my experience so far

    I FILED JAN 26 (WAS ACCEPTED SAME DAY)
    HAD ONE BAR FOR ABOUT 3-4 days. Disappeared and went to
    YOUR RETURN IS STILL BEING PROCRESS( with no code but my amount remained)
    FEB 21 I was mailed a letter 501….to verify.
    I VERIFIED ONLINED ON THE 22 or 23. It said you successfully completed verification.
    Couple days later I called and told them I received a letter.
    THEY DIDNT EVEN SEE MY VERIFICATION ONLINE. SO I DID IT ON PHONE ALSO.
    MY WMR WENT FROM STILL TO BEING PROCESSED LIKE THREE DAYS LATER.
    FRIDAY (yesterday) MY TRANSCRIPT UPTED COMPLETELY TO A DDD 3/8/23.
    (ALL WHILE MY WMR HASNT UPDATED NOR HAD MY MESSAGE ON IRS. Gov. It still say REFUND HASNT BEEN PROCESSED. BUT I AM PROCESSED WITH A DATE. HOPE THIS HELPS SOMEONE.
    BLESS DAY

    Reply
    3
  14. Rocky

    @Nae: yes, I just went through it. I received the letter Tuesday and verified my identity Wednesday. They say they have to tell you that it can take up to 9 weeks to finish processing but I’ve spoken to others who said they received they refund in 2 weeks

    Reply
    1
  15. Mlronq

    I filed 1/26 and still have the delayed message & topic 152 with a 570/971 on transcripts. I called yesterday and finally spoke to someone who told me my notice was sent out and I should get it in 7-10 days. She said the notice is asking for income verification I had to resubmit my w2 so they can complete processing and she said allow up to 60 days 😩😭 I wish I would have called them sooner. But hopefully I start seeing some movement soon. Frustrating y’all. My suggestion is to call if you still haven’t updated and it’s been 21 days since you filed.

    Reply
  16. sgorham29
    • Tax Preparer:
      Other
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-29
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-29
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20240705
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Mar-4
    • Processing Date:
      Mar-4
    • Tax Refund Offset
    • I Got My Refund!

    I filed Jan 28th, accepted the same day, still waiting for refund and today is 3/4/2023 spoke with someone said it is pending 2 days ago!! logged in and nothing has changed so pending what? I do have IS but each year I receive state before fed, don’t know what the hold up is this year, email from them says please be patient??????

    Reply
  17. Wibbleywobbley

    @IRSPlaying: I don’t know either and honestly at this point I’d rather get a letter than just keep wondering. And at least if I got a letter I’d know something and there could be progress

    Reply
  18. Ondeerun

    @IRSPlaying: I am in exactly same boat as you except I received a letter a week ago and successfully Id verified. Transcripts still say no record of return filed wmr same delayed message…. Would love to hear from someone who has moved beyond where we are….

    Reply
    1
  19. Nae

    Has anyone had to verify your identity? Mine still says processing so I called. They told me that I was sent out a letter to verify my identity.

    Reply
    1
  20. SS is a labor scam..

    @IRSPlaying: Filed with TT might be our problem.. seems like alot of issues this year with them.. and people say “you cant blame the software” the software has bugs just like any other software and I personally have ran into them before especially with the info needed for my ACTC for 2021.. only got sent payment for one childe out of 2 and had to tell them to stop before it caused any further problems.. TT had some info wrong they submitted before and I have no idea how they got it wrong like that.. and remember all that stuff was automated and out of our control..

    Reply
  21. IRSPlaying

    @Wibbleywobbley: I’m hoping they are just behind, but I honestly don’t know anymore.

    Reply
    1
  22. IRSPlaying

    @Di: I checked transcripts this morning, still nothing. Looked over info on tax return, everything looks good. Filed with TT. No info at all.

    Reply
  23. Wibbleywobbley

    @IRSPlaying: same except there’s no tax topic on my wmr. It says this

    Your tax return is still being processed. A refund date will be provided when available. For more information about processing delays, please see our Refund Frequently Asked Questions.

    Reply
  24. Di

    @IRSPlaying: I filed same day as you. I have all the same writing but ì also have a 570 hold.

    Reply
  25. 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!

    @Bostongirl: yup 👍

    Reply
  26. IRSPlaying

    Filed and accepted 2/4. Wmr says tax return delayed beyond normal time frame. Still showing amount, still showing tax topic 152. Return transcripts says not filed. There are no codes, no nothing. I’m lost. Don’t really know what’s up? Any ideas anyone?

    Reply
    3
  27. Bostongirl

    What time does Wmr update is it 330am-6?

    Reply
    2
  28. Ricky22 8

    @Walter DOG: hey walt been away still stressing. Still no letter faxed everything they could want weeks ago.. only change so far is as of date pushed out twice.. been under review since jan 27…. wmr says under review ref code 1242.. any insight or do I just sit n wait.. ty so much for ya help this year. U been dead on with everything

    Reply
  29. Jewels22911

    @TZinTucky: I got this too tonight

    Reply
  30. Ricky22 8

    Hope everyone is getting good news.. I am still in review sent all documents to be safe n still no letter.. only changes is as of date pushed out to march 20.. this is longest tax yr of my life.. all for 3,100. Theres thief’s out there n they the ones that mess it up for all us honest people..

    Reply
    1
  31. Lovemomof2

    @Jenn Leah 13: I was told i had to id verify and was sent a letter on 3/01 but today my transcripts still updated to 846 code with ddd 3/08…I haven’t even received the letter to Verify..

    Reply
    2
  32. 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: the gmail?

    Reply
  33. 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: when did you email to me Hun? They didn’t do it literally just mailed the check 🐌 mail yesterday.

    Reply
  34. 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: They literally told us it would be mailed out overnight, on Friday…
    I emailed you the info for the person from JH that spoke to them and the person they spoke to.

    Reply
    1
  35. 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: No. The Wmr reflects the transcripts.

    Reply
  36. MOE

    @Me: I don’t think so

    Reply
  37. Me

    Can ur wmr update before transcripts.

    Reply
  38. Shanshan

    @Jesusisking: cause they want you to chat with them for 15 minutes to prove that you are really you. It’s dumb.

    Reply
    1
  39. 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!

    @804VA: Congratulations! Wonderful news! Yes an 846 is your refund code. :)

    Reply
  40. 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:. My thoughts take 1 min fold put in envelope and put into outgoing mail. Check was printed out last Friday n they just mailed it out yesterday.
    Eps financial pathward Bank reach out to JHewitt Thursday n Friday last week to verify my info to mail it n JHewitt never responded to them or contacted me at all.
    SMH WTH seriously 😒 uffff

    Reply