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
49,270 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. Stillwaitinginfairburnga

    Hello everyone so I filed jan 28 was accepted jan 30 I don’t have any of the credits should I except a ddd this coming up weekend

    Reply
    1
  2. Gators352

    @Annnn: should be in another week

    Reply
    1
  3. Sleeplessness

    @AndiBear: wait do you claim EIC or child tax credit?

    Reply
  4. Gators352

    @Kimzie: after holidays prepaid cards do not deposit on holidays the card should have their own list of the holidays

    Reply
    1
  5. Gators352

    @Gwen: no because they could be blank when you receive them it’s not guaranteed 100%

    Reply
  6. Kimzie

    Just curious I am a weekly. I am walking the PATH. Any ideas on when the early cards would deposit since the holiday is thrown in

    Reply
  7. The struggle is real

    Can anyone who as truly reviewed transcript or 1040, and received did please report here, I’m desperate right now and dnt wanna get my hopes up for nothing, I see people saying it, but never really confirm that they are 100% sure of their credits this year. Thanks in advance

    Reply
  8. Annnn

    My offset is paid
    Date 2/1
    when will i receive my refund?

    Reply
  9. B

    Will this delay the refund with Sbtpg since it’s not update

    Reply
  10. Megan

    When does Sbtpg typically update?

    Reply
  11. Skittles23

    @Mary: looks like some are so happy for them never know god has the final say….fingers crossed for us all..

    Reply
    2
  12. TimMash

    @Audra: I’m right there with you. Our filing details are pretty much identical, except I’m getting mine on karma spend.
    Was hoping to see SBTPG update today. Hoping everything happens tomorrow!

    Reply
    1
  13. Ty83

    @CloudyLee0714: really ? Because I got the path message to check mid February! I filed on the 12th accepted on the 19th had 1 bar now the bar gone and the amount and it’s saying the path message for me

    Reply
    1
  14. Audra
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-13
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Credit Karma
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-21
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • I Got My Refund!

    Nothing showing in SBBT yet! Of course lol

    Reply
  15. Gwen

    Finally accepted my request to order a return transcript. Does this mean anything?

    Reply
  16. Justwaiting

    Filed 1/10/22 WMR still on 1st bar say’s we received and is being processed with tax topic 152anyone else on the same boat ?

    Reply
    8
  17. Mary

    @CC Yes

    Reply
    1
  18. littles16
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-29
    • Fees:
      In Advance
    • Bank:
      credit union

    @Sheila_33: thanks again!!!

    Reply
  19. CC
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-28
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Chime
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-29
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      05
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Feb-26
    • I Got My Refund!

    Is EIC held by PATH?

    Reply
    1
  20. TNic

    @Gators352: I hope sooner rather than later :/

    Reply
  21. WhoDey

    Can someone help please:
    So a couple of years ago my bf was audited and disallowed to claim the eic and child tax credit. He tried claiming my son who is not his and they didn’t allow since we aren’t married. So he was told to file form 8862 if he wants to claim those credits again. Last year he filed and got the eic credit with no dependents and included form 8862 for that. We had a son together last year and he will be claiming him on his taxes. So my question is does he have to file form 8862 for eic this year or not because he was allowed that credit last year? And if I understand it correctly he still has to file 8862 for the child tax credits since he hasn’t claimed them since his disallowing. If anyone could help me out I would appreciate it. Thanks

    Reply
  22. Michael

    @CloudyLee0714: It’s a law that was passed by Congress it most certainly has NOT been lifted!

    Reply
    2
  23. Gators352

    @TNic: it’s coming

    Reply
  24. Brit83

    My offset is paid and I am on the PATH

    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!
  26. 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!

    @Jleeb0987: No way to know until you post to the master file.

    Reply
  27. 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!

    @Littles17: it is not

    Reply
    2
  28. littles16
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-29
    • Fees:
      In Advance
    • Bank:
      credit union

    is the CTC apart of path?

    Reply
    1
  29. Tigerlili_1
    • Tax Preparer:
      Jackson Hewitt
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-25
    • Fees:
      In Advance
    • Bank:
      PenFed
    • Bars:
      3rd Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-25
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-16
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-22
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20240605
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Feb-26
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-26
    • Identity Theft
    • I Got My Refund!

    @CloudyLee0714: IRS website literally says it’s still in effect.

    Reply
    2
  30. CloudyLee0714

    Some people with path are getting deposits, Google it, Some news reports, Actual real news that apparently it’s been lifted this year because the economy downfall so people can get money faster this year

    Reply
    8
  31. Ty83

    @BigHen73: let me hold a $1 lol I’m on the path sucks
    I filed on the 12th accepted on the 19th what a waste for me 🤦🏾‍♀️and I got the fees being taken out of my fed and deposited on chime this year… man lmao my Heart Broken lol

    Reply
    1
  32. Tigerlili_1
    • Tax Preparer:
      Jackson Hewitt
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-25
    • Fees:
      In Advance
    • Bank:
      PenFed
    • Bars:
      3rd Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-25
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-16
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-22
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20240605
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Feb-26
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-26
    • Identity Theft
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Honeybee82: Chime has had no issues today. Bank of The West, Deutch and Varo did, early in the day.

    Reply
    1
  33. Jleeb0987

    What if your cycle dates are different each year? There’s no way to know what it will be this year until your transcript updates to something other than no tax return filed?

    Reply
    1
  34. Breeze (not signed in)

    Deposit hit Netspend

    Reply
    7
  35. 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!

    @Tigerlili_1: I know, but I’ve seen a lot of people who have said they have no fees, simple return….and no deposit yet. Might have just been a delay with getting the ACH’s out, hopefully!

    Reply
    1
  36. TNic

    Aww man, I’m a 2/1 DD and nothing on my Chime :(

    Reply
  37. Gators352

    Congratulations to all someone must lit a fire 🔥 under IRS never saw them move this fast since in the early 2000’s

    Reply
    5
  38. Mary

    @BeeBee40 Me too we will be waiting for a bit more

    Reply
    1
  39. BeeBee40
    • Tax Preparer:
      TaxAct
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-28
    • Fees:
      In Advance
    • Bank:
      Chime
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-28
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20250605
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Mar-3
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-24
    • I Got My Refund!

    Congratulations to everyone with their refunds. I’m so happy for you all. I’m ready to as well but I’m a pather.

    Reply
    9
  40. Diana

    @AndiBear: I’m confused too everyone has been saying no one will receive till mid February . Congrats!!

    Reply
    2