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.

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What Others Are Saying

  1. Sunkissedkelly

    @Gators352: It does completely help. Thank you. But just because that is when the “updates” occur does that also indicate when progress happens?

    Reply
  2. VillaNova85

    @Tarheel21: mine too… I hope by Monday

    Reply
    1
  3. Nitekry

    Wow, this is the fastest I think I have ever seen the IRS move. filed on Tuesday 1/24 accepted same day. Just logged in to see if I had transcripts yet and it says Refund sent 2/1/2023. Hasn’t hit my bank yet, but never had DDD so fast. Good luck ya’ll

    Reply
    4
  4. NY_gal

    @LadyVA: thank you so much that makes me feel better

    Reply
  5. Gators352

    Massive updates are on Wednesday’s and Friday’s so updates have been going on all day some weekly should see WMR updates in the morning Saturday early AM

    Reply
    1
  6. Gators352

    @Sunkissedkelly: cycle numbers ending in 01,02,03,04 means daily which means your return updates daily cycle number ending in 05 means your return are a weekly which means you updates on a weekly however 05 could update on a daily as well it depends hopes this helps

    Reply
  7. Gators352

    @Gwen: thank you , you’re next

    Reply
  8. Sunkissedkelly

    Can anyone tell me what all of the weekly vs. Daily stuff is and how to know which one I am

    Reply
  9. RunMeMyMoney

    @Michael B (and anyone who was waiting on some new form from the IRS to be available this week) –

    I received the same error code via Turbo Tax earlier today: F8960-019-04. Earlier it had some message about the line items needing to match, even though they did. I resubmitted to see if it would go through, it was rejected again and now states:

    ‘This return cannot be electronically filed due to a processing error on Form 8960’. So I’m hoping that they fix it overnight or something so I’ll try and resubmit in the AM.

    Reply
    1
  10. Azluckyfish

    Oh also I have ip pin I have never had to verify identity since I had my pin

    Reply
    1
  11. Azluckyfish

    If we all didn’t finish processing on transcript does that mean we will next week or is something wrong ? If there was something wrong would it pop out code ? I filed 19th my account transcripts is there but blank freaking out lol I did not claim one of my kids this year cause the ex is claiming him so that’s the only thing different

    Reply
    1
  12. Tarheel21
    • Tax Preparer:
      TaxAct
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-28
    • Fees:
      In Advance
    • Bank:
      Chime
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-29
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Mar-4
    • Processing Date:
      Mar-4
    • I Got My Refund!

    @LadyVA: Mine didn’t post to my Chime today like it usually does either — usually get it the same day I get the 846 code on my transcript. Happy it’s processed tho, just counted my weekend chickens before they hatched now I’m in the house looking crazy lol 😩😂

    Reply
    4
  13. FartyB
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Chime
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-25
    • Date Approved:
      Jan-25
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • I Got My Refund!

    I just logged in GTC and it says Georgia will start processing on 02-01. They were very fast last year!!

    Reply
  14. LadyVA
    • Tax Preparer:
      Other
    • Date Filed:
      Feb-14
    • Fees:
      In Advance
    • Bank:
      Credit Union
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Feb-14
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20250903
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • As of:
      Mar-17
    • Processing Date:
      Mar-17
    • I Got My Refund!

    @NY_gal: I have a 2/1 846 dd and a NHB and mine didn’t drop in my account like it normally does. I even checked my account numbers on the tax form and they were correct. Maybe we will get it tomorrow or Monday.

    Reply
    3
  15. Gwen

    @Gators352: that’s great!! So glad things went so smoothly for ya!!

    Reply
  16. Gators352

    @Gwen: I couldn’t believe it and today WRM is showing approve with DDD January 31st but I received it Thursday around 4:30 pm on my chime

    Reply
    2
  17. Gwen

    @Gators352: that’s awesome 😎

    Reply
  18. Gators352

    @Gwen: yes that was me I didn’t have any credits got mines in 3 days ddd came on my chime Thursday filed on Monday

    Reply
    2
  19. NY-Khidd
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-7
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      CHIME
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-16
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Gwen: happen to me BEFORE PATH was put in place years back… people use to file on a Monday … cycle thru that same Friday and have the refund Wednesday the week after the good old days this was back in like 2016 for me . It’s possible If they were daily with no path credits

    Reply
    3
  20. Gators352

    @Nc704: still processing… nothings wrong

    Reply
  21. Gwen

    Looks like tax refunds are moving quickly for people. I saw where someone filed 23rd and said they received it on the 26th. 😳 could this really be possible?

    Reply
    1
  22. Gators352

    @Walter DOG: it’s not over until the $at lady sing you already know about IRS we’ve all been down this road hopefully in the am you’ll have good news keep the faith

    Reply
  23. Jenny
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-16
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Credit union
    • Bars:
      2nd Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-24
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      0405
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Feb-14
    • I Got My Refund!

    Mine still haven’t updated. I was accepted the 18th have path credits and am a weekly

    Reply
  24. Walter DOG
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Netspend
    • Bars:
      No Bars-PATH Act Message
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-19
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      05
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Feb-20
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Gators352: what’s up no I’m frustrated I filed the 19 and I’m weekly and my trans say NA and wmr changed to still processing and refund date when available I do have my bars showing received with tax topic 152 my wmr usually doesn’t change until Saturday morning

    Reply
  25. Waiting on purpose

    Anyone else stuck on pending?

    Reply
  26. Nc704

    Hi I’m daily. I got accepted on Jan.20th. No update on Monday to my transcript. Today transcript is available under transcript but the others are saying na. Is anything wrong?

    Reply
  27. Walter DOG
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Netspend
    • Bars:
      No Bars-PATH Act Message
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-19
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      05
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Feb-20
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Mike: I went to I’d verify and so far it doesn’t let me but my trans are NA and I’m weekly but this morning wmr changed to still processing and refund date when available and I have my bars showing received with 152 what did wmr show for you last year

    Reply
  28. KYMama22

    @Azluckyfish: did you have to verify it anything?

    Reply
  29. zhosa

    @Michael B: are you talking about the health insurance form? I can’t remember the form number…sorry

    Reply
  30. KYMama22

    @Shelby082: same here

    Reply
    1
  31. DebMom
    • Tax Preparer:
      Other
    • Date Filed:
      Feb-3
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Varo
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Feb-3
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-14
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-20
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20250705
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Feb-24
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-14
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Shelby082: ditto

    Reply
    1
  32. JW
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-21
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Chase
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-22

    I decided to leave HRB, too many issues with their system. Just filed with TT IRS accepted in less than 5 minutes. Hoping this will be a smooth year for all of us.

    Reply
  33. Dano

    @Michael B – Same exact issue with TurboTax on Form 8960. All is correct on paper, but return was rejected and TT just says I can either come back in a few weeks and try to refile or mail it all in. If you learn anything from H&R, please update and I’ll do the same if I hear anything from TT.

    Reply
    1
  34. Mike
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-21
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Citizens bank
    • Bars:
      2nd Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-23
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-3
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-8
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20230505
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Feb-13
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-3
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Shelby082: same

    Reply
    1
  35. Pb&J

    @Shelby082: same here

    Reply
    1
  36. Shelby082

    I got a as of date feb 13 but it just has 0.00 all the way down filed January 23rd with TT

    Reply
    2
  37. Pb&J

    @Michael B: did you enter 0 on line 4?

    Reply
  38. Phyllis_123
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-29
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-29
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • I Got My Refund!

    Evening everyone
    My transcripts updated today as well I will be walking the Path this year😏😏😏

    Reply
    2
  39. Michael B

    Using HR Block and my return keeps getting rejected due to an 8960 error on line 4. Problem is on paper it looks fine. Not one seems to k ie what’s going on. Spoke to the IRS today and they transferred me to accounts and after 1hr waiting it just hung up. Reported to HR block as I’ve seen similar issues here and on other boards. I just want to file!!!

    Reply
  40. Gators352

    Correction Feb 2nd for his DDD

    Reply