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
49,350 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. Stillwaitinginfairburnga

    Can anyone help with this I had to amend my return when I check it all it says is 2021 which I don’t understand why it say 2021 instead of 2022

    Reply
  2. Shanshan

    @LongtimeComing: yes

    Reply
  3. LongtimeComing

    @Shanshan: Was your date the 17th?

    Reply
    1
  4. MamaHen0717

    Contd: 3/20/23 next to the 570 and 3/27/23 by 971

    Reply
  5. NVDIV

    I wish these jokers at the IRS would just give us an actual answer and not leave us hanging like they do. What I dont understand is why cant they transfer us over to the review department. I have a feeling some of our tax returns are just sitting in there due to some sequencing error and nobody at the IRS is actually getting any notice that they need to be tended to.

    Reply
    1
  6. MamaHen0717

    I have just sat down and in curiosity pulled my transcripts from last season on irs.gov. I looked over the laundry list of codes from last season and at the very bottom I found a code 922 dated 3/4/23! It is not showing on this seasons transcript… I found that odd.
    I googled the code… unreported income! ??? I now gather the 570 and 971 are attributing factors from the 922 flag code… The notice coming is in regards to the 922? Right??
    What now? This one is new to me. There was no amount just 0.00 beside of it and 3/20/23

    Reply
  7. Shanshan

    Hi!
    Did anyone that had to ID verify get there check yet? If so how long did it take??

    Reply
  8. Rocky

    Hopefully this can help a few people out, I filed 1/30 and accepted 1/31. Called 2/27 because no updates on WMR or transcripts. Told me I should be receiving a letter to verify my identity. Received the letter on 3/1 and verified my identity. Checked transcripts on 3/10 and had the 570 and 971 codes. Checked again today and have 846 refund issued date of 3/24. Hopefully this helps.

    Reply
    1
  9. Rocky

    @CG: yes. I got the 971 and 570 code last Friday and 846 refund issue date today. So a week.

    Reply
    1
  10. Ktcee

    @Mlronq: nope. Transcripts just loaded for the first time today but no codes. They have been n/a until this morning.

    Reply
  11. MOE

    @Mlronq: 3 weeks

    Reply
  12. TPerry

    @Ken: I am in GA and I got accepted on 3/2 and I got my refund on 3/8.

    Reply
  13. Mlronq

    Those with 971 how long did it take to receive the letter compared to the date next to the code?

    Reply
  14. Mlronq

    @Ktcee
    You have the 846 on transcript?

    Reply
  15. Justcurious252

    Is there anyone with 3/22 deposit date receive funds yet

    Reply
    1
  16. Ken

    How fast do states pay out their refunds? I understand it differs by state but which state pays out the fastest/quickest?

    A few days to a few weeks for example. Please give your experience on how fast you received your state refunds and what state. One may have to relocate to such a state and leave the headache of having to wait so many weeks to get refunded your own cash! and without interest. Please share…

    Reply
    1
  17. CG

    To all that had to id verify or verify return, did you get a 570 code on transcript? And if so, when does it lift?

    Reply
  18. 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!

    @Mironq: I have seen holds on larger refunds where the w2 needs to be adjusted. If that’s the case, you may receive a letter in reference to that. The only other thing you could try is your local TAS, and see if they could at least give you an idea what’s going on.

    Reply
  19. AnnoyedwithIRS21

    So idk why I had to verify this year and only found out when I logged into my IRS account and saw a notification. Requested letter. Verified online on 3/1. N/A on transcripts until this Morning. All transcripts updates with a 846 code and date of 3/22/23. I’m a weekly 05 cycle code. My as of date originally was 3/6 and updated to 4/3. Hope this helps.

    Reply
    1
  20. Gwen

    @Unlucky1: the treasury will issue you a check

    Reply
  21. Unlucky1

    Just my luck got refund today but bank rejected it…now what do I do…

    Reply
  22. Di

    How do I upload my w2

    Reply
  23. Mlronq

    Do y’all think it could be an issue because of my withholding and how large my refunds are? I’m wondering… I may need to update my w4. Trying to get a copy of it.

    @sheila_33 any advice?

    Reply
  24. Cendi

    DDD of 3/22/23 just received it via my cash app.

    Reply
  25. ConfusedMainer

    So, I got the “your refund has been changed. No refund will be mailed to you…” message and called, and they told me that was strange because they had authorized by payment two days ago. I then checked my bank account and the money arrived like 10 min before I called them lol. So I guess my status was just made in error?

    Reply
    1
  26. Dallis

    @Meme: me and today after only checking my wmr twice, it says “error you have exceeded your amount of times blah blah blah…I’m perplexed, but can only wait.

    Reply
  27. MOE

    @Meme: yes nothing letter

    Reply
    1
  28. MOE

    Can’t get in transcript error

    Reply
  29. NVDIV

    @Meme: I’m about determined that the Federal Reserve has stolen our money and are being told to give us a scripted response when we call. Mine is still the same.

    Reply
    3
  30. Meme

    “We apologize, but your return processing has been delayed beyond the normal timeframe.” Who else has this message still lingering on WMR with paired with the 152 message on bottom?

    Reply
    3
  31. Cliff P

    I filed on 1/13/23. I am a PATHer so I waited. I got a Form 4883-C letter in the mail on 2/27/23 and called and verified the same day. The agent said I passed the verification. That same night, my WMR went from “still being processed” to “is being processed,” but still no bars or DDD. (I have never had bars).

    It’s now 3/17/23 and I still have no bars or DDD, just “is being processed.”

    I know they say it can take up to 9 weeks, but does it really? How much longer should I expect it to take?

    Reply
    2
  32. Nikki O

    @Ktcee: oh okay I see now, WMR only updates on Saturdays. I was referring to your transcripts updating. But that’s still crazy to get your money even before WMR even informing you when you would get it

    Reply
  33. Meme

    @KeiaG34, thank you for the phone number. At least i know something now……….it will be a long wait, ugh.

    Reply
  34. Nikki O

    @Ktcee: oh wow, so your saying your refund hit your account without even receiving the 846 code?

    Reply
  35. Ktcee

    @Ktcee: I meant my WMR never updated. No bars or anything. My bank does deposits a few days early so don’t be surprised if you just have a deposit monday with nothing at all updating on the irs site.

    Reply
  36. Ktcee

    So….my work never updated. Transcripts there but no code. I had to verify my identity a week ago….and just now my refund hit. No warning!

    Reply
  37. Stokes

    HELP!!!!! Having to do refund trace
    Deposit was sent to another account that isn’t mine
    Waiting for letter but how long for the check ????

    Reply
  38. Mlronq

    @blahblah
    You call the number ending in 1040 but you have to press these numbers (1,2,1,3,2) and then it’s going to tell you to listen for your problem don’t press anything it’ll connect you to someone fairly quickly

    Reply
  39. Meme

    @Mlronq, I’m right here going NUTS with you! LOL (not really)

    Reply
  40. Blahblah

    What number is everyone calling to reach a live person because it’s all automated for me?
    I filed 2/2 and it says it’s delayed and I should read tax topic 152. Transcripts say n/an and I’m so confused. It’s been well over 21 days.

    Reply