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
49,352 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. Sharon. O

    @Mlronq: I verified they received them. I am a weekly update. Again was told could be 60 days. I also just don’t know what to think.

    Reply
  2. Sharon. O

    @Mlronq: Plus why not just my w2. It’s like they want to make it as difficult as possible.

    Reply
  3. Mlronq

    @ Sharon. O
    And honestly if I could just get someone to explain to me WHY this is happening I wouldn’t be as ticked off about it. When all they say is “wait” it’s infuriating.

    Reply
  4. Mlronq

    @ Sharon. O
    Omg that’s ridiculous a whole month, they could have just asked you for that in the first letter. Ridiculous. I don’t even have check stubs so if they ask for them I’ll have to figure something else out. I just don’t understand why this is happening. I’ve never had any issues before this year. I’m so annoyed I could cry. Seriously.

    Reply
  5. CarolinaWoman88

    This tax season definitely was a scam. So many of our account numbers for direct deposits were magically messed up and got rejected. SBTPG charged $30 because the were returned. Mine finally was rejected now I’m waiting a check. Who knows how long that will be

    Reply
  6. NVDIV

    I take it nobody’s transcripts for Fridays WMR updates changed?

    Reply
    1
  7. KC

    I thought your cycle code was chosen based off of what day you filed and are accepted?

    Reply
  8. Gwen

    @Dirtydog218: I didn’t have to ID verify and I was still mailed a check. Account and routing number was correct and bank didn’t reject it. Just wondering what the reason was. Thanks for your response!

    Reply
  9. jas

    i just called the IRS after them telling me to wait 60 days now that its close to the 60 days their telling me to wait 120 day ! i got a 4464C letter in the main that told me not to do anything further and that they dont need anything from me. But to allow them to review this is pissing me off honestly. if they send out a letter stating that the need me to verify anything im not following up i had it with them and they can keep the money atp.

    Reply
    1
  10. Sharon. O

    @Mlronq: After about 30 days from receiving the 60 day notice for verification of income I received an additional letter requesting additional information. I had to submit 4 copies of paystubs which I did a week ago.

    Reply
  11. Dirtydog218

    @Gwen: I think if you had to I.D verify, they switched you to a mailed check. I could be wrong but that’s what I hear

    Reply
  12. Gwen

    Does anyone know why the irs switched so many peoples dd to a mailed check?

    Reply
  13. MOE

    @zhosa: The letter was 3/13 cp 05 said 60 days from that date May 12 she said maybe sooner if they need anything they will let me know and keep looking on my transcript for anymore codes or more letters being sent. She said I have to just WAIT.

    Reply
  14. zhosa

    @MOE: let me know what happens, ok.

    Reply
  15. zhosa

    @MOE: 1-800–830-5084, don’t remember prompts i entered, but just listen and choose what matches.

    Reply
  16. MOE

    @Mlronq: The lady said it could be sooner then 60 days

    Reply
  17. Mlronq

    I wonder if it takes the full 60 days when they’re verifying income? Anybody know?

    Reply
  18. Dirtydog218

    @NMMN: I hope so! This is getting old really quick! I’ll definitely update you each day! We’re all in this together.

    Reply
    1
  19. MOE

    @zhosa: could u give me the number for irs 800-829-1040 whats the extention

    Reply
  20. zhosa

    @nzxo: id verify is a 2-step process, so call and make sure you are done. Part of it involves going online to answer questions about your return and the other part is setting up an account through ID.me and if there was a code on your letter that would have to be entered, as well.

    Reply
  21. Mlronq

    Really praying I see an update tomorrow. I’m so tired of waiting.

    Reply
    1
  22. Mlronq

    @shadeon if 971 is the only code maybe it’s not a bad thing. Hopefully you’ll luck out and get your refund faster than the rest of us!!! Lol fingers crossed for ya!

    Reply
  23. MOE

    @Shadeon: A letter is coming

    Reply
  24. Shadeon

    Filed 3/8 accepted same day wmr still says processing. Account transcript says 971 no other codes is that good or bad

    Reply
  25. MOE

    Talked to a avocate she looked up my account said nothing they can do cp 05 60 days from the letter they have until may 12 it could be sooner. But just wait.

    Reply
  26. nzxo
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-30
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      CashApp
    • Bars:
      What Bars?
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-31
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      None Yet
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Feb-20
    • I Got My Refund!

    @pressed like a panini

    Same situation for me, or similar at least. I filed and accepted Jan 30th, have zero information on my transcripts (save a As Of date that hops around). ID Verified a little over a month ago around 02/21, but still have no info on the transcripts. Refund amount is still showing and the tax topic is gone, and the status is a very brief “We have received your tax return and it is being processed”. Thats it.

    I’ve got no info and I’m just sitting here waiting on god knows what. I’ve actually already gotten my state return but that ones always small…my info should check out seeing as I got one return already. I don’t know what the deal is, I have no codes of course. Its getting rough and discouraging.

    Hope things turn up for everyone else in this situation.

    Reply
    2
  27. MRZNO

    @TeeDee44: You will need to amend your taxes.

    Reply
  28. MRZNO

    @tee you will need to amend your taxes.

    Reply
  29. MOE

    60 day letter last week do they start the 60 days from letter or when u filed

    Reply
  30. CarolinaWoman88

    3/22 deposit date but still no funds showing in my bank account. SBTPG is showing funded 3/21 but I know the last 3 numbers missing from my bank account number missing. I’m not sure why Bank of America taking so long to reject it so the check can be mailed.

    Reply
  31. NMMN

    @Dirtydog218: Maybe within the next week or so there will be a change?

    Reply
  32. Dirtydog218

    @NMMN: nice!! Just checked mine. No movement at all!!!

    Reply
    1
  33. TeeDee44

    Ok guys. Big problem. And this is why reading is fundamental.
    I had someone do my taxes this year. This individual told me that I’m not getting the full earned income credit and they can do my taxes to make sure I get the full amount so I trusted them. This morning I decided my taxes are taking way too long. Let me see how he filed it. Read the entire tax return. None of the information on the return is mine. The only information that is correct is my name address birthdate banking information and social. The income that is on the tax return has nothing to do with what I do for work. Maybe that is why everything is being held up. Because it’s inaccurate. Please help! How do I fix this?

    Reply
  34. NMMN

    @Dirtydog218: I noticed a couple of days ago there was a slight change. The 152 message was back on there and the amount was not on the screen. I also noticed I’m now cycle 03…I’ve always been 05 in the past so now I guess my account updates daily?? I checked WMR 4:30 this morning since my transcripts updated and it was updated! My WMR now is on second bar with deposit amount and date showing.

    Reply
    3
  35. pressed like a panini

    no updates accepted since 1/29…2022 was a rough year for me and I still powered through working to pay my taxes like everyone else now hand over my money IRS! No letters no tax records no movement on bars…nothing?! who do I need to call

    Reply
  36. 570 Go Away

    @NVDIV: friend you know the answer!! If I update tomorrow night/Friday morning I’ll cash ap you 50 bucks! It’s how confident I am that you and I are lost in the Tax Filing Void! I’m pretty much to the point where, meh they are just gonna keep my flight to Maui money I’ll just pay for it myself then it’ll come oh then it’ll come!!

    Reply
  37. 570 Go Away

    @bobby bonilla: man the Mets are still paying you! You don’t need your refund! I kid I kid! I need some laughs been 2 months since I filed and zero changes!

    Reply
  38. bobby bonilla

    @Jay7: most likely over 18 months

    Reply
  39. IRSWHY?!

    I need to get my refund ASAP!! i dislike how they hold onto our money every year like you’ll held it long enough my rent is due next month and my phone broke as of now this is alot to take on but im trying to hang in there idk what to do

    Reply
  40. Jay7

    Have any of you ever had to go through the appeals process for the IRS? If so, how long after the call did they release the money? I sent the information they needed already, but still have to do the phone call.

    Reply