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
49,358 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. NVDIV

    Would be nice if an IRS agent could anonymously tip us in the comments on what is REALLY going on with all these 570s that came out of nowhere

    Reply
  2. NVDIV

    Has anyone at all had any movement who has had the 570 for 4 months. Nothing has changed since my as of date changed way back at the end of Feb. No new mail or anything. Just the delay paper saying 60 days on Feb 18

    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!

    @zhosa: good! i hope its some positive news for once..

    Reply
  4. zhosa

    @Jay: ok, i will.

    Reply
    1
  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!

    @zhosa: maybe? that would be a good thing.. is there a chance you can contact your advocate on monday and ask herwhat the change in processing date might indicate and that others also changed to 5/8

    Reply
  6. zhosa

    @Jay: maybe we are all getting processed at the same time and maybe they are processing these things (like amendments, etc) on a schedule, like once a month or something….i don’t know….nobody knows, just guessing, hoping, wishings and most of all still waiting.

    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!

    @zhosa@mronnqqq: i didnt even think of checking the as of date and i did just now and its also been changed to May 8..

    Reply
  8. zhosa

    @Mronnqqq: instead of calling the national toll free advocate line, find your local advocate office’s number and request one. I was told if you have a hardship and an amendment that qualifies to get one now, rather than june. I mean try it, it can’t hurt anything.

    Reply
  9. zhosa

    i’m calling monday to find out if my hold has been lifted (per the advocates request).

    Reply
  10. Mronnqqq

    @zhosa I feel like your as of date changing is progress maybe they’re processing it. Mine still hasn’t moved from 3/27

    Reply
  11. Hank

    Refund status? More than 21 days

    Reply
  12. zhosa

    did you all’s “as of” dates change?

    Reply
  13. zhosa

    @Jay@Mlronnqqq: mine has been there (971 & 977) since the week after i filed my amendment. My as of date changed, yesterday, from 4/10 to 5/1, then today it changed from 5/1 to 5/8.

    Reply
  14. 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!

    @Mlronnqqq: i mean yeah it is some movement.. just wonder how long its gunna sit there now.. lol

    Reply
  15. Mlroonqq

    @ NVDIV I did the same thing with my w4! Lol not getting my money anymore!

    Reply
    1
  16. Mlronnqqq

    @jay that’s good!! I wonder how long we gonna be waiting now lol

    Reply
  17. NVDIV

    @So Stressed: Jan 28

    Reply
  18. 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!

    a quick update.. checked my transcripts this morning, 4/15, and saw that the 977 code for filing my amended return has shown up as well as the 971 code stating amended return has been forwarded for processing. both dated 4/3..

    Reply
  19. So Stressed

    @NVDIV: When did you file?

    Reply
  20. NVDIV

    @SinSin: I hope you do but dont get your hopes up.. I’m surprised OWS 2.0 isn’t happening due to these 570s.

    Reply
  21. Ange

    @SADTAXPERSON: same here filed filed and accepted feb 5 no errors no movement but turbo tax took their money

    Reply
  22. Ange

    Filed feb 5 got accepted same day no notices called no errors 10 weeks later still no refund.

    Reply
    2
  23. SinSin

    @NVDIV: I think I’ll update next Friday.

    Reply
  24. SinSin

    @Zape: thank you and yes same here no more early filing.

    Reply
  25. Zape

    “@SinSin .If 570&971 have the same date yes.Next you will get 571 and 846. Mine updated yesterday and i got my refund date.I had the same problem and my refund was adjusted after multiple phone calls to the IRS. Worst year ever, I decided not to bother to fight them about the adjust refund. It was less than $200. I am done filing early. I usually filled after July and never had any problem for the past 25 years.

    Reply
    1
  26. NVDIV

    You bet like hell I came into work tonight and changed my W4 to claim my dependents throughout the year.. as long as they are holding my money ill continue to not loan them any more money than i have to and ill get my money one way or the other.. you can hold a refund but you cant hold a paycheck.. I dare them to mail me saying i owe them next year and aint got my refund back yet.. take your 570 and shove it

    Reply
    2
  27. NVDIV

    @SinSin: lol… come on in grab a ticket and take a seat.. its like the waiting room from beetlejuice in here with the 570s.. 4 months and nothing..

    Reply
    1
  28. SinSin

    I updated this morning finally and my return was adjusted I already know what the letter will say but my question is once I get the 570 (additional account action pending) and 971 for letter issuance am I just waiting for 846 code? And should I perhaps update next Friday with 846?? Please and thank you 😊

    Reply
  29. Mlronnqq

    @jay and it’s such BS because we we’re screwed from the beginning lol I really don’t then filing the amendment screwed us any further. That’s just what they’re saying bc they trying to make it our fault not theirs!!

    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!

    @zhosa: oh wow! you are absolutely right that we are taxpaying citizens and all this b.s. with them telling us they are behind on processing is such a crock and they are just saying it to tell us to f off basically while they pleasure each other.. the inconsistent information being given to us this tax year is unbelievable! when she told me this morning that by filing the amended return that my timeframe increased from the 120 days to the 16-20, i nearly lost.. im like thats what i was told to do and she said yeah by doing that, you basically screwed yourself over and there is nothing we can do..

    Reply
  31. zhosa

    @Jay: the advocate who called me was not the name, initially, given to me on that day i told you i called back after getting bad information. i called the advocate line to inquire about the status of my referral, since we all were getting varied info. on getting help due to hardships and amendments. This guy was so nasty that i asked for a supervisor, he place me on a brief hold and came back and told me that a supervisor was going to tell me the same thing and he would not let me speak to one and i told him ” i am a taxpaying citizen and have the right to voice my concerns. I guess she (the supervisor) went ahead and assigned me one, because she called me (supervisor) and i missed her call.

    Reply
  32. 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: haha all good! wow that is awesome and so lucky! im very happy for you and hope you get it within the next few weeks!!

    i dont understand why they are helping people and then telling others that there is no help for 2022 available until the end of june.. i pretty much have the same problem as you do and yet i cant get an advocate.. its so frustrating! i called them again today to reiterate that i am really dealing with hardships and i filed the amended return as was suggested to do and i was told once again that no advocate could help me until the end of june and at which point i would have to go through the entire process of requesting the help and then waiting an additional 2 weeks for one to maybe be assigned to me.. its absolutely ridiculous!!

    Reply
    1
  33. zhosa

    @Jay: meant to tag you in that update.

    Reply
    1
  34. zhosa

    Been very busy but i’m back now. I told you, earlier, that i was assigned an advocate, but the guy only encouraged me to file the amendment instead of assigning one to me and said if i did not get any movement soon after to call back and maybe they could help me along. Well, i got a call on wednesday, from my advocate and she was very kind (goes a long way) and empathized with my hardship and said she, as of that day, was putting in a referral to release my refund and it should happen in 1 to 2 cycles and if, by some chance, they find any other issues she will immediately let me know but otherwise i should see my refund soon. I was, completely, surprised at her swift actions in helping me. She set our call back for 30 days away and explained that the 30 days is set that far out, “just in case” additional info is needed, otherwise just be on the lookout for my refund.

    Reply
    1
  35. G

    F

    Reply
    1
  36. SADTAXPERSON

    Nothing like waking up to no taxes because the IRS wont freaking process it (2-4-23) But TurboTax was sure to get their fees out today of my bank account.

    Reply
    1
  37. Dippity

    Accepted on 4/11 whats the cycle like this year.

    Reply
  38. Jas

    Okay so the IRS is playing us …well me at least I called and spoke to a representative they told me that I only had two incomes reported and the incomes they told me about were from 2021 jobs they told me about I didn’t work there the year of 2023 I’m confused…

    Reply
  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!

    @Momof2girls1boy: the whole point of the advocates helping you out is for them to fix your issues with the correct information. if you amend, its going to take up to 20 weeks to process it.. id call the advocate back and ask if you file the amendment, will you be stuck in the 20 week processing..

    Reply
  40. Momof2girls1boy

    Ok. So I’ve been stuck in the 570 rut. Last week out of the blue a tax advocate called me after I had been told that I wasn’t able to get one. Anyhow he asked me to fax him my w2s as they were reviewing my income. I faxed them on Saturday. Today he called me and told me he had all my paperwork and he was working on my return and that he would be updating everything and getting a letter out to me in the next few days. I asked him what my new refund amount would be and he said he didn’t know yet. He said I will need to amend. Now my question is if he is updating everything and getting a letter out to me explaining everything in the next few days then 1, why do I have to amend? And 2, will I be getting my new refund in the next few days? Can anyone shed some light on this situation. Please and thank you.

    Reply