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
49,276 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. punkin sc

    I have a question about the advance with Turbotax.
    How can i get the funds to my normal bank account after it goes into the Creditkarma account?
    thank you!!

    Reply
    1
  2. Amy19
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-29
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20240605
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • As of:
      Mar-4
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Sheila_33: I donated, who do I let know or will they automatically see it? Thanks

    Reply
  3. Gators352

    Hi this is Oprah speaking and I want to say You get a DDD!!!! you get a DDD!!!!you get a DDD!!!’ this week 😀 blessings to all

    Reply
    16
  4. Taxtime69

    I had message of still being processed refund date when available one year it was under review another year it updated few days later to approved so can mean anything I guess

    Reply
  5. Amy19
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-29
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20240605
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • As of:
      Mar-4
    • I Got My Refund!

    @•°Karma°•: You can set up a new account with your new number through IDme on the IRS homepage. It is an option if you want to keep an eye on your transcript.

    Reply
  6. •°Karma°•

    @Walter DOG: I was accepted on the 20th, with TT and had refund advance. I would check my transcripts but i had a change of number last year and logging in requires sending a text to that one. So I guess i’ll be in the dark until something updates on wmr

    Reply
  7. Yandyy

    @Walter DOG: Hey how are you..Hopefully everything will go smoothly this coming week. Hope you had a great weekend

    Reply
  8. 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!

    @Remedyhd: no they wait

    Reply
  9. 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!

    @Walter DOG: I was accepted the 18th and used turbo tax. This happened to me the year before last I was accepted early and resequenced. I know that’s happening again this year.

    Reply
    2
  10. 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!

    @kikij2: sounds like you barely paid taxes last year

    Reply
  11. Remedyhd

    Does anyone know if USAA is a TFI or NHB? I have a DDD 02/01 and trying to probe if I will be receiving refund overnight tonight x

    Reply
  12. 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!

    @MoCarr2118: you can go to irs id verify and login and if it doesn’t let you then no it’s not id verify at least right now you can be proactive and check but I don’t think it’s id verify if you still got your bar and tax topic but I could be wrong

    Reply
    1
  13. Mamatrilogy3

    I’m guessing I’m not actually in a batch, just shows accepted:

    As of date: 2/13/2023 which just means should update by that date correct?

    Reply
    1
  14. 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!

    @Jenny: when we’re you accepted and what tax service you use and what does your wmr say trying to see if there is a pattern or something

    Reply
  15. 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!

    @kikij2: mine was $37 until I included my now grown unemployed son living with me as a dependent lol now I get a whopping $183 that I paid in back

    Reply
    2
  16. 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!

    @Walter DOG: I was in the test batch same happened to me

    Reply
  17. Michigander80
    • Tax Preparer:
      TaxAct
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-28
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bars:
      No Bars-PATH Act Message
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-29
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Feb-17
    • I Got My Refund!

    @DebMom: Thanks!

    Reply
    1
  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!

    @Ashleyy: Congratulations!

    Reply
  19. 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!

    @soconfusedhere: Did you have a large withholding amount on your return on the 806 code?

    Reply
  20. kikij2

    has anyone filed there 2023 tax return and got an very low reurn mines was only $24?

    Reply
  21. 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!

    @Amy19: Beautifully said ma’am.

    Reply
    1
  22. soconfusedhere

    what does 971 – withholding allowances limited – letter sent to employer mean? I also had prior to that 972 – withholding allowances no longer limited – letter sent to employer. Both of these were on my current year transcript but early last year in January 2022

    Reply
  23. 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!

    @Nicolelove: Good codes, just waiting for the freeze to lift and you can cycle thru and post the 846 refund code

    Reply
  24. 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!

    @Michigander80: no.

    Reply
  25. 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!

    @Michigander80: If its the additional child tax credit, it is held under the path act.

    Reply
  26. Nicolelove

    @Sheila_33:

    Codes
    150
    806
    766
    768
    Cycle date 20230405

    Reply
  27. Amy19
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-29
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20240605
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • As of:
      Mar-4
    • I Got My Refund!

    @901yogirl: I am praying your tax season goes smoothly. Am praying for your strength as you type in your daughter’s info on your forms. Also, that there is smile as you type her name. Blessings to you from one mom to another.

    Reply
    1
  28. 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!

    @Ashleyy: today? Did you not check yesterday?

    Reply
  29. Ashleyy

    Accepted 1/23. Updated today to approved with DDD 1/31!!

    Reply
    7
  30. Michigander80
    • Tax Preparer:
      TaxAct
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-28
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bars:
      No Bars-PATH Act Message
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-29
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Feb-17
    • I Got My Refund!

    I have a question if I have no Eic or ctc but I have an additional dependent credit for a 35 year old, am I still going to get the path?

    Reply
  31. Babymama720

    Just an update – currently I am claiming EIC , was audited last year and still have not received that refund. Transcripts for 2022 have an as of date 02/13 and so do 2021- this is the first time that as of date has been updated since September with no letters from the IRS. WMR no longer shows refund amount just path

    Reply
  32. 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!

    @901yogirl: You’re very welcome. :)

    Reply
  33. 901yogirl

    @Sheila_33: thank you very much I was just trying to make sure I had too it feels very odd/different typing her name but with her receiving SSI (cancer) I didn’t want any problems with the IRS on top of everything else I truly appreciate you helping me

    Reply
  34. 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!

    @901yogirl: So terribly sorry for your loss. I know how painful that is. Yes, you can enter her on your return and go thru the rest of the steps as far as how long she was your dependent last year. Again, my deepest condolences. 😪

    Reply
    1
  35. 901yogirl

    Quick painful question my daughter passed on January the 8th last year am I supposed to claim her as a dependent very hard to put her numbers in just need to know if this is what I’m supposed to do

    Reply
    1
  36. 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!

    @Starr: You’re very welcome. And thanks for coming out from behind the curtain lol.

    Reply
  37. Starr

    @Sheila_33: thank you ma’am .. I will update hopefully Friday if my transcripts updates and I switch to the path message

    Reply
    1
  38. 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!

    @MoCarr2118: yes they are available but blank Thursday they were n/a

    Reply
    1
  39. 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!

    @Starr: They reconcile 1099s later in the year so the return may process without any issue. But, make sure you keep all that paperwork handy ready to send in later in case they want to see verification of it.

    Reply
    1
  40. 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!

    @Calisunshine: now see I have one bar, tax topic 152 and being processed my amount still showing. No still. I’m wondering what the difference is

    Reply