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
49,357 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. Me

    @Jay: both the only thing I was told was income verification. Only thing I think of is I used last check stubs and w2 ended up being 1000 less I have 570 and 971 I got letter over a month ago said do nothing. I’ve called both the advocate said she couldn’t help but all she sees is in income verification so idk

    Reply
  2. Melissa

    @Jay: verification

    Reply
  3. Jay
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Feb-3
    • Fees:
      In Advance
    • Bank:
      PNC
    • Bars:
      2nd Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Feb-3
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-20
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-24
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20250604
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • As of:
      Mar-10
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-24
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Me: it all depends on who you get when you call. some are very rude and some are really friendly. did you contact the advocator service and speak to someone there or the regular IRS number?

    Reply
  4. Me

    @Jay: they won’t help me at all lady was very rude what did they tell you if I can ask you thanks

    Reply
  5. Jay
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Feb-3
    • Fees:
      In Advance
    • Bank:
      PNC
    • Bars:
      2nd Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Feb-3
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-20
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-24
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20250604
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • As of:
      Mar-10
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-24
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Melissa: yeah unfortunately the advocates are not helping most people out with issues until the end of june.. were you given a reason as to why your refund is on hold?

    Reply
  6. Melissa

    I just spoke to the tax advocate people. My request was denied. My return is in the verification process. I have to wait the 120 days from the Date on the letter. Should I try an amended return or will that hold things up even more?

    Reply
    1
  7. Jay
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Feb-3
    • Fees:
      In Advance
    • Bank:
      PNC
    • Bars:
      2nd Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Feb-3
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-20
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-24
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20250604
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • As of:
      Mar-10
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-24
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Meme: yeah that is their generic letter.. most of us have called the TAS and spoke with someone who gave us an explanation as to exactly why our returns are under review.. this way we know exactly whats going on

    Reply
  8. Meme

    @Jay, the letter states they’re reviewing income, credits. I have EITC.

    Reply
  9. Jay
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Feb-3
    • Fees:
      In Advance
    • Bank:
      PNC
    • Bars:
      2nd Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Feb-3
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-20
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-24
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20250604
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • As of:
      Mar-10
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-24
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Meme: she didnt tell you why what reason its under review?

    Reply
  10. Meme

    Just got off the phone with rep and was told my return is under review (which I already knew because of code 570), refund will take 120 days from the date I received 4464c letter. Asked if I can do anything to speed things up, but was told nothing needed. That will put me in June. Never happened before, this is insane.

    Reply
    1
  11. NVDIV

    sorry about the double post. Didn’t look like it went through the first time…

    Reply
    1
  12. NVDIV

    I also have began to wonder if and IF i get my refund after 900 years will it still go through SBTPG since turbotax already dipped into my account for the $80 dollars they charged me for a refund i havent received yet.. at this point is there any reasonable reason for SBTPG to even get my refund once it has been sent out or should it logically go straight to my bank account? ?

    Reply
  13. NVDIV

    I also have began to wonder if and IF i get my refund after 900 years will it still go through SBTPG since turbotax already dipped into my account for the $80 dollars they charged me for a refund i havent received yet.. at this point is there any reasonable reason for SBTPG to even get my refund once it has been sent out or should it logically go straight to my bank account?

    Reply
  14. NVDIV

    At this point i dont think any of us have any idea.. it would be a miracle if someone actually came on here with answers.. like the deal with all the 570 holds with no movement for 4 and a half straight months. not even a letter issue code..

    Reply
    1
  15. Eowyn

    Does anyone know what time of day the DD is deposited? I have a DDD of 12-Apr (well, my son does anyway) and was wondering if we should check in the night, or not until 9a or so in the morning. There’s a pretty good used truck he’s interested in, and he wants to call before the guy goes to work in the morning if he can. Just worried that someone else will get it before him. Thank you!

    Reply
    2
  16. Tabby

    @Gwen: same to you!

    Reply
    1
  17. Tabby

    I have filed with Georgia DOR for the last (5) years and I always file on or by Feb 20th! This year I filed on 2/15/2023 accepted on 2/17/2023. There has been no movement I have nothing pending just in the green parentheses! I went back in my email to check and I can tell I’m always waiting until Like April 14th or 15th to get Direct Deposit? Keep hopeful

    Reply
  18. Gwen

    Happy Easter everyone! God Bless!!

    Reply
    2
  19. Jay
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Feb-3
    • Fees:
      In Advance
    • Bank:
      PNC
    • Bars:
      2nd Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Feb-3
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-20
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-24
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20250604
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • As of:
      Mar-10
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-24
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Mlronqqq forgot to login lol: that is a very good question about the frequency of the amended tool updating. i have no idea honestly if it follows the same pattern and cycle code as our original returns. i would assume that the amended being assigned to someone is a good sign that things will move quickly.

    Reply
  20. Mlronqqq forgot to login lol

    @jay yes! I feel like I was going to be getting that 60 day letter either way because others who still had that hold got 2 letters as well. Maybe the amended return pushed the letter through too lol idk how it all works but honestly I’ve learned more this year from talking to people and following these posts lol and I really didn’t expect it to happen so quick either bc it says allow 3 weeks for it to show up in the system but mine showed up in about 2 with the codes on my transcripts also. I was just curious if that meant it was being looked at or if it just meant it was received but she said it was assigned to someone. Do we know if the amended return tool updates daily or if it still goes by our weekly code?

    Reply
    1
  21. Jay
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Feb-3
    • Fees:
      In Advance
    • Bank:
      PNC
    • Bars:
      2nd Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Feb-3
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-20
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-24
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20250604
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • As of:
      Mar-10
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-24
    • I Got My Refund!

    @zhosa: lets hope so! i did find it encouraging that i filed my amended on the april 3rd and it was already assigned to someone on april 5th.. so **crossing fingers**!! did you ever talk to the other rep yesterday?

    Reply
  22. Jay
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Feb-3
    • Fees:
      In Advance
    • Bank:
      PNC
    • Bars:
      2nd Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Feb-3
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-20
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-24
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20250604
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • As of:
      Mar-10
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-24
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Mlronq: oh ok that is good then! the way you worded it made it sound like filing the amended return caused further delay than not filing one should. whew thank goodness! yes hopefully we will all see movement within the next couple weeks.

    Reply
  23. Mlronq
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-26
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-26
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Mar-27

    @jay no I don’t believe so. If the rep was right and it’s actually been assigned to someone and being processed then I feel like it should move faster than if I had left it. I’m not sure? But I don’t think it was being looked at before. I had the 570 code for 2 months with absolutely zero movement. But now she says it’s being processed and there are no holds on it, as soon as they’re finished my refund should be released. so I hope that’s true!

    Reply
    1
  24. Keyz23

    Hello good morning i just wanted to let you guys know i received my dd and whenever its says being processed that means you fine and you waiting to update to receive a dd hang in there still have hope everyone have a blessed day🤗

    Reply
    3
  25. NVDIV

    -_- if it isnt the IRS its the rental office trying to pull one over on me.. luckily i have receipts.

    Reply
  26. zhosa

    HERE IS ONE “EXAMPLE” I FOUND ON *AMENDING WHILE STILL PROCESSING*

    March 14, 2020 at 9:23 am
    Patrice
    Quick update to my original post. WMR did in fact update today (Saturday morning) to DDD 03/18/2020. So, you CAN be under a 60 day review and also amend your return (skipping the 16 week amended return processing time). 29 Day processing. From 60 Day Review-Amended Return-DDD 03/18/20

    Filed 01/29-Accepted same day
    60 Day Review letter date-02/13
    Amended return date-02/24
    846 Refund Issued date-03/18/20 (updated on Transcript-03/13)
    WMR-DDD 03/18/20-(updated to WMR 03/14)

    Reply
    3
  27. zhosa

    @Jay: I’ve been researching on here, looking for similar issues (filing amendment while still processing) and found people who got processed in 2-3 weeks up to about 8 weeks (for those with requests for docs). Y’all should go to the search bar and see what info y’all can find. I am feeling more optimistic that it won’t take too long unless they are requesting documents.

    Reply
    2
  28. 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!

    @Pretty princess: Look on the account transcript for an 846. The date beside it is your direct deposit date.

    Reply
  29. Me

    @Zhosa: how long you think on that for us. I been waiting since Jan 26. I’m in same boat used last check stub and w2 was over a 1000 less than last check stub. Someone help us 🙏

    Reply
  30. Jay
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Feb-3
    • Fees:
      In Advance
    • Bank:
      PNC
    • Bars:
      2nd Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Feb-3
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-20
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-24
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20250604
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • As of:
      Mar-10
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-24
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Mlronq: so filing the amended return caused a further delay than if you had not?

    Reply
  31. Pretty princess

    Can someone please help me and let me know where on my transcript can i find my deposit date

    Reply
  32. spring

    @Mlronq: Me to 2645 c

    Reply
  33. Pretty princess

    Where on my transcript do i find my deposit date??

    Reply
  34. Mlronq
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-26
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-26
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Mar-27

    So I finally sucked it up and called them and she said the amended return is what held up my refund lol I’m like no I was waiting for 2 months with no updates just kept being told to wait over and over. So I filed the amendment. She said well it’s been assigned to a CSI and it’s being processed. Wait a few more weeks. We shall see I guess

    Reply
  35. Mlronq
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-26
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-26
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Mar-27

    Just got another notice from them. 2645C saying they need an additional 60 days.

    Reply
  36. Jay Jay not logged in

    I received a cp09 in the mail from the IRS informing me that I didn’t claim EIC on my 2022 taxes. If I fill out the worksheet and mail it back to them will they give me the EIC that I didn’t claim or will it carry over into the next tax year

    Reply
  37. Jay
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Feb-3
    • Fees:
      In Advance
    • Bank:
      PNC
    • Bars:
      2nd Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Feb-3
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-20
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-24
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20250604
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • As of:
      Mar-10
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-24
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Mlronq: i just got off the phone and she told me our return had been assigned to someone on 4/5 for the review which she said happened pretty quick in that most amended returns arent assigned for at least 2 to 3 weeks after they are received. i filed on 4/3 and it was already assigned on the 5th.. so that is promising!

    Reply
    0
  38. Mlronq
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-26
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-26
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Mar-27

    I’m glad y’all are calling! Keep me in the loop. They only manage to make me even more frustrated by the time I get off the phone so I don’t even want to talk to them anymore lol

    Reply
    1
  39. Jay
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Feb-3
    • Fees:
      In Advance
    • Bank:
      PNC
    • Bars:
      2nd Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Feb-3
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-20
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-24
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20250604
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • As of:
      Mar-10
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-24
    • I Got My Refund!

    @zhosa: i am hold with an agent right now as well to see if there are any updates to mine

    Reply
  40. Mlronq
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-26
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-26
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Mar-27

    What seems EXTREMELY odd to me though is that the majority of people waiting filed within the same week like end of jan beginning of feb. I filed 1/26 and a few others I saw comment were also 1/26 or 1/27 1/28. Seems so sketchy!! Like did our returns get lost? Lol

    Reply
    1