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
35,464 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 ā€œqueueā€ 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 began accepting tax returns this year on January 29, 2024.

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 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-6
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Bluebird
    • Bars:
      2nd Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-16
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-16
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-16
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      03
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • As of:
      Feb-19
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-19
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Newman: What’s your messaging showing as of now?

    Reply

    Report comment
  2. KDinAZz

    @Sheila_33: thank you. As of 651am az time it still just says submitted on freeraxusa and wmr can’t find my info

    Reply

    Report comment
  3. 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!

    @804VA: no id verify right now but it can take a week to show up on id verify just keep checking in another week if itā€™s saying that then your probably good

    Reply

    Report comment
  4. Proffiteer

    @KDinAZz lol: I was accepted within an hour or so after filing on 1/24 via TT. It wasn’t immediately, but still. Hope that helps.

    Reply

    Report comment
    1
  5. KDinAZz lol

    @Amy19: my taxes are still not accepted.

    For anyone who was accepted immediately what site did you use

    Reply

    Report comment
    2
  6. Newman

    ugh. My As of date on my transcript just this morning moved from 2/13 to 2/20ā€¦..Filed/accepted 1/23 with TT. Transcript first showed up last Thursday with all 0ā€™s. Still all 0ā€™s

    Reply

    Report comment
  7. 804VA

    @Walter DOG ok so it says we ARE NOT ABLE TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE

    then it says the 21 day message

    Reply

    Report comment
    1
  8. 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!

    @804VA: google irs.gov/id verify and you use id me to sign in and if you have id verify it will prompt you to enter code if not id verify it will say weā€™re unable to provide you any assistance

    Reply

    Report comment
    2
  9. 804VA

    @Walter DOG

    Is ID VERIFY THE SAME AS iDMe

    I have, idME Thatā€™s how sign inā€¦

    Reply

    Report comment
    1
  10. Sheila_33
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-6
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Bluebird
    • Bars:
      2nd Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-16
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-16
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-16
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      03
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • As of:
      Feb-19
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-19
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Amy19: I would love to see you have a smooth year. Fingers crossed. You do the same, hun.

    Reply

    Report comment
    2
  11. 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: nothing yet, thanks for checking in! I thought I cracked my every other year code, but I didnā€™t! I thought for sure I would be a 02 this year but no date yet, maybe I will be a three today! In order I have had 05,04,05,03,05ā€¦..so I thought I would see a 02 this morning but I am still NA.
    Enjoy your day!

    Reply

    Report comment
    1
  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!

    @Sheila_33: I wonā€™t I know itā€™s hard to figure never had this happen my wmr update before Saturday morning unless it was id verify but itā€™s not that

    Reply

    Report comment
  13. Sheila_33
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-6
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Bluebird
    • Bars:
      2nd Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-16
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-16
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-16
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      03
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • As of:
      Feb-19
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-19
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Walter DOG: A review of wages would show a 570. With your return, I really think you’re in the same situation user Mike was. At least, that’s what I’m hoping. :) Don’t come for me if I’m wrong, I’ll hide in the back room. lol

    Reply

    Report comment
    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!

    @Sheila_33: I know I have 20 year old, 22 year old,3 teenagers and 11 year old cainā€™t buy no eggs lol!

    Reply

    Report comment
  15. 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!

    @Sheila_33: Good Morning again ,quick question if for some reason you had to verify something like wages or something else would your transcripts move at all from NA just curious

    Reply

    Report comment
  16. Sheila_33
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-6
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Bluebird
    • Bars:
      2nd Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-16
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-16
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-16
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      03
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • As of:
      Feb-19
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-19
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Walter DOG: Those little ones are good but some are teenagers now and you know how that goes, lol. I have my sights on Friday for a bunch of you, and if you update before then, all the better.

    Reply

    Report comment
    1
  17. 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!

    @804VA: login to Iā€™d verify and see if it says weā€™re unable to provide assistance or it will let you enter code you may have id verify but since nothing changed probably not

    Reply

    Report comment
    1
  18. Sheila_33
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-6
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Bluebird
    • Bars:
      2nd Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-16
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-16
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-16
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      03
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • As of:
      Feb-19
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-19
    • I Got My Refund!

    @KDinAZz: Good to see you and happy you’re back. It’s been taking awhile for some returns to be accepted. Not sure why but hopefully today. Also, check your WMR and the Freetax site on your tranmission. Someone was saying they had updated on there, before they got a message it had been accepted. :)

    Reply

    Report comment
  19. 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!

    @Sheila_33: Good Morning Sheila how is those little ones I hope great ,you know my transcripts are still NA and wmr still on my one bar refund date when available tax topic 152

    Reply

    Report comment
    1
  20. 804VA

    @Walter DOG
    Filed: January 20, 2023
    Accepted : Jan 21st ,2023

    My WMR WENT BLANK AND SAYS ā€œstill being processed ā€œ
    I have my refund amount on the left column NO TAX TOPIC 152

    I CLAIMED MY SON but I have done that the last 6 years (he is 6)

    My transcripts Hal have zero by the balance
    MY AS OF DATE IS 2/13/2023

    at the bottom of transcript is says NO RETURN FILED

    but I have already been accepted

    THIS IS WEIRD

    Reply

    Report comment
  21. lori1985
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-19
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Credit Karma
    • Bars:
      What Bars?
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-19
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-22
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20240605
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Feb-26
    • I Got My Refund!

    My WMR didn’t update yet. Still on 1 bar. Was hoping to see the Path today.

    Reply

    Report comment
    1
  22. Sheila_33
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-6
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Bluebird
    • Bars:
      2nd Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-16
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-16
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-16
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      03
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • As of:
      Feb-19
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-19
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Amy19: Good morning Amy. Any movment for you yet?

    Reply

    Report comment
  23. Sheila_33
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-6
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Bluebird
    • Bars:
      2nd Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-16
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-16
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-16
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      03
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • As of:
      Feb-19
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-19
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Walter DOG: Good morning Walt

    Reply

    Report comment
  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!

    @JazzinVA: when did you file and was accepted,you also can check your account and id verify and see if thatā€™s the problem

    Reply

    Report comment
  25. Honeybee82
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-9
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Credit Karma
    • Bars:
      2nd Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-19
    • Date Approved:
      Mar-1
    • WMR Date:
      Mar-6
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20240905
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Mar-18
    • 5071C LETTER
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Leet: itā€™s the date that they have to finish any processing/updates by. Once you have an ā€œas ofā€ date appear, you typically update with your 846 code shortly after. They either have to have your refund processed by that date, or updated with other codes if they need to look into anything further. Itā€™s a sign of movement nonetheless, so itā€™s progress! šŸ˜Š

    Reply

    Report comment
    2
  26. Sheila_33
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-6
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Bluebird
    • Bars:
      2nd Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-16
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-16
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-16
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      03
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • As of:
      Feb-19
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-19
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Leet: The “as of” date is placed to remind the system to finish the return. If you’re under the path hold, it won’t change until the freeze lifts. If you have blank transcripts, then it’s to remind the system you need to be processed.

    Reply

    Report comment
    1
  27. Leet

    Gm, I have question ā€¦ so what exactly does as of 2/13/23 mean ? I have that on my transcript, is that my deposit date ?

    Reply

    Report comment
    1
  28. Gwen

    Iā€™m worried because I shouldnā€™t be in PATH but I received the PATH message this morning šŸ˜©what is going on

    Reply

    Report comment
  29. VaGal07

    No change for me this morning. Still half filled transcripts and no wording change on WMR. My VA state did finish though with a DDD of 2/08 so that made me happy! Hoping to see an update this weekend.

    Reply

    Report comment
    3
  30. Mwatl

    @Newman: Same here

    Reply

    Report comment
  31. JazzinVA

    Filed CTC only with dependents transcript say 05
    No codes itā€™s blank and as of date is 2/13

    Reply

    Report comment
  32. TeeDee44

    Ugghhh. I’m so sick of this PATH act. I find it interesting that they are so adamant about giving my ex time to file for our 14 year old son that he hasn’t spoken to or lifted a finger to help in 4 years but they were not so enthusiastic about making sure he took care of him over the years. Funny.

    Reply

    Report comment
    6
  33. JazzinVA

    WMR LIGHTS DISAPPEARED AND SAYS:
    ???
    Your tax return is still being processed. A refund date will be provided when available. For more information about processing delays, please see our Refund Frequently Asked Questions.

    Please Note: For refund information, please continue to check here, or visit the Refunds page on IRS.gov. Updates to refund status are made no more than once a day.

    Reply

    Report comment
    2
  34. 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!

    @KDinAZz: Oh my! I wonder what in the world is holding up your acceptance. Iā€™m praying for your day to be a good one even with this added stress. Maybe Sheila can shed some light on this.

    Reply

    Report comment
  35. Deano

    Update return this morning to Path act message on WMR Irs Received on 2/26/23

    Reply

    Report comment
  36. Gwen

    I updated to PATH? makes no sense because I shouldnā€™t be on PATH Anyone else?

    Reply

    Report comment
    1
  37. DebMom
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-17
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Chime
    • Bars:
      2nd Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-19
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-3
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-7
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20240505
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Feb-12
    • I Got My Refund!

    @GMoneyLee:
    Did they lift the path act?
    The act remains in force. The act primarily affects people who are eligible to receive certain tax credits: People filing for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC) must have a Social Security number or a valid Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).

    Reply

    Report comment
    1
  38. DebMom
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-17
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Chime
    • Bars:
      2nd Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-19
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-3
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-7
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20240505
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Feb-12
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Marv: fees from refund or no and is it going to a traditional bank?

    Reply

    Report comment
  39. Marv

    No deposit*

    Reply

    moderated