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
49,353 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. Keish

    Has anyone received NJ state refund?

    Reply
  2. JIJ

    @proudma30: I did forget to mention that SBTG is Pacific time zone, so in my case I’m Eastern which is 3 hours ahead and many others take that into account when waiting for Chime, or any other card to load. In previous years it has been after 12pm when card did load.
    Thanks hope that helps those waiting

    Reply
  3. JIJ

    I did forget to mention that SBTG is Pacific time zone, so in my case I’m Eastern which is 3 hours ahead and many others take that into account when waiting for Chime, or any other card to load. In previous years it has been after 12pm when card did load.
    Thanks hope that helps those waiting

    Reply
  4. 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: That is usually how it plays out. Unfortunately, it seems this year these 3rd party banks seem to be taking their time for some.

    Reply
  5. amharrison130

    @JIJ – I have Chime and haven’t received my refund yet. I do see SBTPG updated overnight.

    Reply
    1
  6. JIJ

    Anyone with a DD 3/8 received their payment from Chime yet or had SBTG update? I do know in years past my SBTG updated and later that evening my Chime card was loaded, so was wondering if someone with that date had movement in accounts yet. Thank you to whomever responds.

    Reply
  7. Keish

    @Steve: yes. I did.

    Reply
  8. Fernande Cassase

    The next time I read a blog, Hopefully it doesn’t disappoint me just as much as this one. I mean, Yes, it was my choice to read through, however I actually thought you would probably have something useful to say. All I hear is a bunch of moaning about something that you could fix if you weren’t too busy searching for attention.

    Reply
  9. proudma30

    OK so sbtpg says I was paid but nothing on my chime yet…little worried since I usually have my return sent to my bluebird card but changed it to chime this year and just praying the deposit info is right…with chime shouldn’t I have had it as soon as they transmitted?

    Reply
  10. Breana Larimore

    After exploring a few of the articles on your blog, I truly appreciate your technique of writing a blog. I book marked it to my bookmark site list and will be checking back in the near future. Please check out my web site too and tell me your opinion.

    Reply
  11. 804VA

    @Sheila_33

    Santa Barbra TAX Preparer Group site says that they received the money today on 3/7/2023 my direct deposit date is 3/8/2023 so does this mean I will probably see the money in my bank tomorrow?

    Reply
  12. Chedbaby

    @BBkansas24: same exact thing here

    Reply
  13. 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!

    @Meme: Dailys can see updates any day but Tuesdays Wednesdays and Fridays seem to be the days for movement this year on transcripts.

    Reply
  14. Kim

    @Cantcatchabreak: that’s crazy so does it mean the check will be in the mail friday

    Reply
  15. Meme

    When is the next wmr/transcript/deposit update for cycle 20230903 filed and accepted 02/10/23 Pather, “being processed” to “delayed still being processed” went from code 570 back to EITC code.

    Reply
  16. TheDonTj

    Has anyone owed NY taxes after that 10,200 from covid in 2020???
    Just curious did anybody else owe ny state taxes after receiving unemployment during covid? the 2020 (2021) taxes…. if so did you amend anything??? I never ever had to pay taxes always received refunds federal and state….

    any help would be greatly appreciated..

    Reply
  17. Stokes

    How can I trace tracking numbers

    Reply
  18. CarolinaWoman88

    @Mari: might have to do verification. They got a lot of people this year with that including me.

    Reply
    1
  19. JIJ

    @proudma30: Check after midnight or tomorrow. I have same DD. I’ve noticed in past years SBTG did not update until day before or day of, so do not worry it will b there the 8th

    Reply
  20. 570 Go Away

    I seen some random movement today. My 2022 summary populated randomly with all my numbers. It had never shown before. My transcripts haven’t updated yet. Still showing the refund codes and the 570 but I’m taking this as progress!!

    Reply
    1
  21. HelpPls

    Hey everyone! I had 2 w-2,s and on one I made an error. On my withholdings I accidentally added an additional 1, so 1,166 but it should be 166. Should I amend or will the IRS correct this? I appreciate any help. I currently have TC570 and I’m daily. I did receive IRS letter 4464C the additional do nothing for 60 days. Thanks in advance.

    Reply
  22. Steve

    Anybody got form 12C?

    Reply
  23. IWantTaxes

    Filed 2/4 and it says my refund was approved but it says it’s delayed beyond the normal timeframe.

    Reply
  24. Patiently waiting

    Awe man! The spammers done found the site! Hope they go away

    Reply
  25. Mari

    I did my refund and it still hasn’t processed its been past the 6 week period what is going on

    Reply
    1
  26. Meme

    Filed 2/10/23 accepted same day, no other bars on WMR, received code 570, now disappeared WMR delayed refund status beyond 21 days, this morning WMR 512 still stands no other update. Today is my as of date 3/6/23 on my transcript but havent seen any update on my transcript nor on my WMR. Amount still same on left side. Anyone else in the same boat?

    Reply
    5
  27. proudma30

    @amharrison130: I actually just asked the same question because my DD is Wednesday and still nothing at SBTPG

    Reply
  28. proudma30

    My deposit date is March 8th but I have to go through SBTPG 1st shouldn’t it already be showing funded by now or will it not show funded until the 8th

    Reply
    1
  29. Beanie

    Still no DD from KY. I am not checking the WMR because it has never updated for me any year.

    Reply
  30. Shanshan

    @Cantcatchabreak: OK Thanks for the help.

    Reply
  31. Identitytheft23

    Asking for my adult daughter. This is her first year trying to file and her mother has apparently fraudulently claimed her. Mom states it was “automatic” and she didn’t add her. This makes no sense since mom hasn’t claimed her in years and would have had to add her on whatever tax service used. Mom pulled this stunt a few years ago when daughter was under 17 and I tried to claim her. Keep in mind, it is court ordered that only I could claim her at the time as I had custody etc.

    Anyway, there seem to be several ways to handle this. What’s the best and easiest way? Daughter is leaning towards identity theft form.

    Reply
    1
  32. Mia

    @Gozminz: thanks and when did you file @Gozminz: I meant when did you get them back

    Reply
  33. Cantcatchabreak

    @Shanshan: yes it updated Friday with refund date of 3/10 and then wmr updated Saturday to 2nd bar of refund approved and check will be mailed by 3/10 since I had to verify again this year. For some reason I’m seeing a lot of people who are ID verifying is getting checks mailed instead

    Reply
  34. Shanshan

    @Cantcatchabreak: Is your transcript updated to?

    Reply
  35. Cantcatchabreak

    @PaymePlease: do you have to go to the office for further verification or was it actually unsuccessful because that’s the only time they would have you go into a local office. I had to go to a local office back on 2018 cause I failed over the phone talking with an agent and not to mention I had to go to the next county because my county was booked for months. I get there and i pass the ID verify but they spotted another problem while i was sitting with the irs agent because he was going line by line on my return. Took me months to resolve. But don’t get discouraged because most people have good luck when they go. I just didn’t realize my tax prepared had screwed up some numbers.

    Reply
  36. Sheila la

    @Cantcatchabreak: ok Thankyou I will update when I see any movement …

    Reply
    1
  37. Cantcatchabreak

    Info on Irs.gov website
    IRS Face-to-Face Saturday Help
    EnglishEspañol
    More In Help
    The Internal Revenue Service is committed to providing meaningful service and assistance to meet taxpayers’ needs. Many IRS Taxpayer Assistance Centers across the country will open one Saturday each month in February, March, April and May, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., to offer in-person help without an appointment. Normally, TACs are open weekdays by appointment. Please check frequently for new information as availability may change without notice.

    Use tab to go to the next focusable element
    February 11, 2023, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
    March 11, 2023, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
    April 8, 2023, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
    May 13, 2023, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
    Come prepared, bring documents:
    Current government-issued photo identification,
    Social Security cards for members of their household, including spouse and dependents (if applicable) and
    Any IRS letters or notices received and related documents.
    If you plan to request identity verification services, you must bring two forms of identification and a copy of the tax return filed for the year in question if you filed a return.
    During the visit, IRS staff may also request the following information:
    A current mailing address, and
    Proof of bank account information that you included on your tax return to receive payments or refunds by Direct Deposit.

    Reply
  38. Gozminz

    @amharrison130: No

    Reply
  39. PaymePlease

    Found out I need to go to the office to verify my identity. I go in two days anybody ever had to do this? What’s the process like?
    I did it online already it was successful but now I have to go into an office.
    What’s the worse that could happen? How long after I verify is the wait? Still 9 weeks?

    Reply
  40. Gozminz

    @april6rolen: Do it yourself and you will never have that problem.

    Reply