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
49,356 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. 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!
  2. Jennifer

    Does anyone know if the turbotax estimated delivery date is usually accurate? I got an ID verify notice (only on WMR but nothing in the mail), and TT is still estimating 2/9

    Reply
  3. Fluff

    @Brogon52: not yet, but I’m HOPING it’s a glitch

    Reply
  4. Jennifer

    @Sharon Grayson: I have….also never been asked to verify in the past. I keep hoping its an error but i have no transcripts yet and SBTPG still says unfunded

    Reply
    0
  5. 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!

    @Fluff: your the primary that’s why you and not her

    Reply
  6. Brogon52

    Has anyone called the IRS to find out if it’s a glitch?

    Reply
  7. Fluff

    @Sharon Grayson: I have zero clue, how do I find out?

    Reply
  8. Sharon Grayson
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Feb-2
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Chime
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Feb-2
    • Transcript:
      No Access
    • Cycle Code:
      05
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Fluff: are you daily or weekly?

    Reply
  9. Sharon Grayson
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Feb-2
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Chime
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Feb-2
    • Transcript:
      No Access
    • Cycle Code:
      05
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Fluff: i don’t even know how to go about the id process. I don’t have access to transcripts either. I guess I just wait until I cycle through and check WMR Saturday morning to see if it pops up. While I’m waiting I’ll research more on how the process works so I’m prepared.

    Reply
  10. Fluff

    @Sharon Grayson: that’s what I was thinking I just filed on the 29th I was like that was Quick to have to verify I HOPE it’s a glitch

    Reply
    2
  11. Fluff

    @Txmomof3girls: are you able to see anything online yet, or the tax transcripts cause I don’t see anything at all but I do on the wheres my refund

    Reply
  12. Sharon Grayson
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Feb-2
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Chime
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Feb-2
    • Transcript:
      No Access
    • Cycle Code:
      05
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Txmomof3girls: thank you. I just filed and got accepted on Jan 30th. I’m sure I haven’t even cycled through the system yet. I’ll have to keep an eye out. I feel like 99 % of tax payers are being asked to verify this year. Crazy

    Reply
  13. Fluff

    @Sharon Grayson: I just checked and it shows I have to verify, but my wife doesn’t and we are on the same tax return, but I do have access to the tax transcripts and I had to verify when I did that so idk….but on the tax transcripts I don’t see anything at all idk what’s going on

    Reply
  14. Fluff

    Hopefully someone can make me feel better, this morning I check my wheres my refund tool, and it showing processing which is all good, but I checked it now and it’s saying verification stuff now….so I enter my wife’s and her says processing…we have a join return…. what’s going on with the verification??? I don’t see anything on my Tax transcripts it says no return filed so nothing has updated…can someone please shine some light for me and if I have to verify how long does this normally delay it…I hope it’s just a glitch with the WMR app or website please someone shine some light for me please

    Reply
  15. Txmomof3girls
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-23
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Netspend
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-24
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20250605
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Mar-3
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-24
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Sharon Grayson: I did!

    Reply
    1
  16. Sharon Grayson
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Feb-2
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Chime
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Feb-2
    • Transcript:
      No Access
    • Cycle Code:
      05
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • I Got My Refund!

    Good evening loves. I saw a few posts about WMR possibly showing ID verification this year. I was curious if this happened to any of you? I don’t have access to transcripts and have moved. I have never been asked to verify before and it seems a lot of people are being asked to verify this seems it will be my year.

    Reply
    1
  17. StephenfromrosewoodNC
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-9
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      IRS CHECK FROM TREASURY DEPT
    • Bars:
      3rd Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-17
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-16
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-26
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20240605
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Mar-11
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-26
    • I Got My Refund!

    Hope everyone has had a blessed Sunday

    Reply
    5
  18. Nick

    What does it mean when tax topic 152 disappears

    Reply
  19. Gint

    Not sure when I haven’t checked for a few days. But my refund is approved with a DD of Feb 7th per WMR

    Reply
    3
  20. 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!

    @Txmomof3girlsnotsignedin: That’s the problem with diving into the manual, there’s so many distractions. Jemar and I been deep diving all day, and we’ll find something new and get side tracked lol.

    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!

    @Txnate: Yea, after awhile I just gotta walk away😆

    Reply
  22. Emarto1

    I don’t understand my wmr. My wmr said it was being processed. Then 3 days later it went from being processed to still being processed. Has anybody ever had it changed in 3 days.

    Reply
  23. Breezy336bay

    @Honeybee82: And what is the as of date mean?

    Reply
  24. Txmomof3girlsnotsignedin

    @Sheila_33: 🤣 it just leads from one road to another!

    Reply
  25. Sharmaine
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-24
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Faster money card
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-24
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-6
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-12
    • Transcript:
      Blank
    • Cycle Code:
      05
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Feb-17
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Breezy336bay: my friend has DDD 2/27/2024

    Reply
    1
  26. Honeybee82
    • Tax Preparer:
      H&R Block
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-22
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Spruce
    • Bars:
      No Bars-PATH Act Message
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-24
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20250603
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • As of:
      Mar-10
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-24
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Txnate: Yup, I’m walking the Path….so you’re right, either way we have to see something change this week. Since the 12th is a week from tomorrow, our as of date will at least have to be pushed back by this Friday. I’m really hoping we just didn’t cycle through last week, and come Friday we’ll see the Path message and a new as of date. It seems like transcripts are messing up for a lot of people this year…

    Reply
  27. Tk

    I filed my daughter taxes for her on 1/29 she updated to still being processed on Saturday. This is her first time ever filing. Very simple return no Ctc or anything. I can’t see her transcripts. Should she be worried or is it because she filed for the first time?

    Reply
  28. Honeybee82
    • Tax Preparer:
      H&R Block
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-22
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Spruce
    • Bars:
      No Bars-PATH Act Message
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-24
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20250603
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • As of:
      Mar-10
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-24
    • I Got My Refund!

    @RidiculousTaxSeason: You know what’s funny, is I noticed that exact same thing the other day! You’re absolutely right, there are too many of us accepted on the 19th & stuck on this 02/12 date with no movement….for it to be a coincidence. The part that’s driving me crazy, is that I seem to be one of the very few people who have NOT gotten any notifications that I have to ID verify. I would rather have that, so I at least knew what was holding me up. I wonder if because we were accepted on a Friday, it somehow held us up and we just never cycled through last week….might explain why our as of date never even pushed back. I’m starting to give up trying to rationalize it 😂

    Reply
    1
  29. Txnate
    • Tax Preparer:
      Other
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-19
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Pls
    • Bars:
      2nd Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-22
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-16
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-22
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      05
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Feb-26
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Sheila_33: so much for the hope of my 846 showing up friday lol… just trying to piece this stuff together since my as of date didnt change… this is what i get for thinking… lol my head hurts now and you smell smoke cause thats my brain on fire lol

    Reply
    1
  30. 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!

    @Breezy336bay: This year an id verify message is appearing on the Wmr for some and the tax account for others.

    Reply
  31. 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!

    @Txnate: The 2nd 05 can definitely change, I was a dedicated 05 for years, and in the last 2 years have been an 02,03. But the first 05, the IRS tax week is dependent on the week you’re first sent thru to process and they can’t really control the week because they don’t know when you’re gonna file.

    Reply
  32. Breezy336bay

    @Sheila_33: and how do you know if you have to identify yourself?

    Reply
  33. Txnate
    • Tax Preparer:
      Other
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-19
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Pls
    • Bars:
      2nd Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-22
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-16
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-22
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      05
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Feb-26
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Sheila_33: can i pick your brain a bit… since 2018, my cycle date as been 0505 and my 846 always showed up on friday the following week. should that 0505 date change or do they try to keep you on that cycle if you file before then?

    Reply
  34. PattiCakez

    @Txnate: Me!

    Reply
  35. Txnate
    • Tax Preparer:
      Other
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-19
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Pls
    • Bars:
      2nd Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-22
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-16
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-22
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      05
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Feb-26
    • I Got My Refund!

    @IHATETAXTIME: are you still 2/12 or did you update to 2/19?

    Reply
  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!

    Chirp, chirp 😉

    Reply
  37. IHATETAXTIME
    • Tax Preparer:
      Other
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-23
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Chime
    • Bars:
      Take Action
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-24
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-16
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-22
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      0705
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Feb-26
    • I Got My Refund!

    Just over here praying there’s a letter in the mail tomorrow! Hoping to get this verification done so that I can update this weekend.

    Reply
    1
  38. Mike
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-19
    • Fees:
      In Advance
    • Bank:
      BOA
    • Bars:
      3rd Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-21
    • Date Approved:
      Jan-24
    • WMR Date:
      Jan-29
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20250405
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • As of:
      Feb-10
    • Processing Date:
      Jan-23
    • I Got My Refund!

    Good afternoon everyone how are we on this Sunday?

    Reply
    1
  39. Txnate
    • Tax Preparer:
      Other
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-19
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Pls
    • Bars:
      2nd Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-22
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-16
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-22
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      05
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Feb-26
    • I Got My Refund!

    @QushunT: i know the feeling… i would have thought if they had wanted returns verified why didnt they adjust the as of date.

    Reply
    2
  40. QushunT
    • Tax Preparer:
      TaxAct
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-16
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Varo
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-22
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      1205
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Apr-8
    • Processing Date:
      Apr-8
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Txnate: I’m stuck on 2/12 I was accepted on 1/22. My 21 and 22 transcripts changed to as of date 2/12/24. I also have the Verify Return on my account. I’ve been filing for 26 years and never had to verify anything. This is crazy.

    Reply