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
49,269 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!

    Anybody with the “still being processed” message update on transcripts today yet?

    Reply
  2. 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!

    @Monee: Ok, thanks for giving her hope and she’s not alone with 0’s still.

    Reply
  3. Ammy

    When I login to my account to see transcripts for 2022 does not on account status balance like for other years , why?

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

    @Sarah D: meeeeee lol

    Reply
  5. Monee
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-8
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Varo
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-15
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • I Got My Refund!

    @BeeBee40: I haven’t updated from the 0s and february 13 either. I haven’t seen many people say they updated from the 0s yet honestly.

    Reply
  6. 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!

    @Sheila_33: Yes, it hurts me more. It updated on 1/24 with 0.00.

    Reply
  7. QueenBinKC

    Has anyone received their Missouri state refund or even had a refund status update?

    Reply
  8. 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!

    @Ohio girl: Good morning! Yes ma’am. And I’m hoping there’s going to be updates thru the day.

    Reply
  9. 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!

    @Beebee40: When did her transcript update with the 0s? And I know what you mean, seeing your child upset is the worst. :(

    Reply
  10. Ohio girl

    @Sheila_33
    Good morning
    Todays updates are for dailies is that correct?

    Reply
  11. 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!

    @Mariana: Hold codes possibly. It doesn’t happen very often, but it does.

    Reply
  12. 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!

    @MissNikki1284: If iys a cp2000 then its definitely looking at income. Its gonna ask you if you agree or disagree with their findings. If you have proof of your earnings and contest it trn you’re gonna need to send that stuff in asap. It’s something that can be dealt with. You’ll just need to do it quickly.

    Reply
    1
  13. Deano

    Update transcript filled in just waiting for Path act on where’s my refund all good codes

    Reply
  14. 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!

    @Newman: Hopefully you update this week. It is always stressful until the refund is in your bank!

    Reply
  15. Pey2022

    @Sarah D: I was a weekly last year 05. I checked my transcript last Friday nothing WMR on processing 1 bar, transcripts empty. Get up this morning all filled out and cycle ending in 02. Just waiting for 846 when path lifts. I guess I’ll get PATH on tomorrow when wmr updates

    Reply
  16. 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!

    @Sheila_33: Well, no change for my daughter. I hate seeing my child worry. she still has 0.00 with February 13, 2023. no tax return filed. I told her she can possibly update any day since she’s daily or even next Tuesday if not this week.

    Reply
    1
  17. 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!

    @MissNikki1284: Ok so after some searching the 922 letter means they issued a cp2000.
    The IRS reminds taxpayers this letter isn’t a formal audit notification but a letter to see if the taxpayer agrees or disagrees with the proposed tax changes. Taxpayers should respond to the CP2000 letter, usually within 30 days from the date printed on the letter.

    Reply
  18. MissNikki1284
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-23
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Greendot
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Approved:
      Jan-23

    @Sheila_33: I just went and looked at my 2020 and it says code 922 for 01/30/2023.

    The letter I received previously that wasn’t certified was 2626C

    What are the difference in the letters? This is so stressful

    Reply
  19. Mariana

    @Sheila_33: what other codes can be added?

    Reply
  20. Ebry22

    @Sleeplessness: I also am a Michigan filer.. filed 19th accepted 28th .. still says return information does not match ..

    Reply
  21. 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!

    @Kayden: Exactly how mine looks too. Technically they don’t open till 7AM so we still have an hour and 12 min so they might update to funded once they open.

    Reply
  22. Sarah D

    Anyone else just sitting at one bar still. Accepted the 21st. Not a pather. I feel like it’s taking longer than usual to have some type of update on WMR

    Reply
    1
  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!

    @MissNikki1284: If your transcripts from this year are standard codes, it may be from the 2020 issue. It might be a cp2000 letter asking about that income.

    Reply
  24. Kayden
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-25
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      MetaBank
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-25
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      05
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Russ1000: That’s exactly how mine looks too on SBTG.
    Maybe it will update later today and deposit to
    Our accounts this afternoon/evening

    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!

    @MissNikki1284: Any new codes pop up on the past years transcripts? Like a 922? See if any dates are as of 2023 and scan the codes.

    Reply
  26. Newman

    @Amy19 I agree with you. I actually thought I was always a daily too but I was second guessing that when I didnt update this morning. Hopefully you’re right and maybe Ill have some update tomorrow. Or maybe since I updated last Thursday to the “zeroes” transcript Ill update again this Thursday. I have no idea at this point.

    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!

    @Mariana: If all goes well, then I think so. :)

    Reply
  28. Semaj

    Omg my transcripts update overnight does that mean I’m back to being a daily again? Last year was my first time being a pather and a weekly I was sad. I seen as of day of 2/20 which is a holiday and cycle date 20230502 I’m a pather again this year

    Reply
    1
  29. MissNikki1284
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-23
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Greendot
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Approved:
      Jan-23

    @Tigerlili_1: yeah my transcript are okay just regular codes.

    However I have been dealing with some stuff from 2020 where they said my income is way higher (like way higher) than what I claimed so they needed me to send information to show what transactions were personal on cashapp and which were business. Which I did over the weekend. But the letter that came for that wasn’t certified. Ugh

    Reply
    1
  30. 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!

    @Newman: My codes also bounce around with fives, I am assuming they are “daily” fives not “weekly” because they go 05, 03, 05, 04, 05. I’d assume you are also a daily not a weekly reporter.

    Reply
  31. Russ1000

    This is kinda odd but I just checked my sbtg and the parts that say refund sent to you are filled in now with my fees subtracted however it says unfunded still. And nothing in my Varo yet

    Reply
  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!

    @MissNikki1284: Praying it’s nothing bad. Can you see your transcript?

    Reply
  33. MissNikki1284
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-23
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Greendot
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Approved:
      Jan-23

    @Tigerlili_1: mine seems to be a certified letter. Ugh this can’t be good 🥺

    Reply
  34. 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!

    @MissNikki1284: We’ve had that happen 2x, once was a certified letter once was just miscanned.

    Reply
  35. 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!

    @TimMash: I hope they don’t either here is to hoping!

    Reply
  36. Newman

    @Sheila_33 Thank you! No change this morning. Ill check again tomorrow morning.

    Reply
  37. Sleeplessness

    Anyone get any updates on a Michigan refund status? Every time I check it says it can’t find my return. Wondering if anyone is seeing the same message.

    Thanks!

    Reply
    1
  38. Anointed4

    Anybody who filed on the 25th transcript update yet ?

    Reply
  39. Mariana

    @Sheila_33: so maybe I can see my refund by the end of February

    Reply
  40. 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!

    @Monee: I think we had more updating on Tuesday later in the day, and then Wednesday there were a few. I’m not giving up on hoping you update today. :)

    Reply
    1