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
49,361 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. JJ

    @Kaila: 🎉 congrats

    Reply
  2. JJ

    @Meoff: 🎉 congrats

    Reply
  3. JJ

    @PrettyMocha1: 🎉 congrats

    Reply
    1
  4. JJ

    @Qweet: congrats

    Reply
    1
  5. JJ

    @Mama01: 🎉 congrats

    Reply
  6. JJ

    @Lolee: congrats

    Reply
  7. JJ

    I guess being optimistic got the best of me. I just checked my transcript to see if it still had that NA crap. I finally got that 846 for a 03/13 DDD. 🎉 🤑
    @Morris: are you kidding you still got NA? oh that is ridiculous. But they still updating. Don’t lose all hope so soon.

    Reply
    4
  8. Lolee

    Updated from NA and return not filed to 846 3/13! Filed 2/22 good luck everyone!

    Reply
    1
  9. Morris

    @Qweet: We verified on the same date. I’m still showing no updates. Smh…….I knew i was going to be left out as expected. I don’t understand.

    Reply
  10. Mama01

    I just checked transcipts and finally got the 571,and 846. I filled on 1/29, after the path I got the 570 then last Friday I got the 971 notice issued. I didn’t idv or even call irs. It worked itself out, Good Luck Everyone

    Reply
  11. Qweet

    @Bigcontreebilly: yes I did but I never received my letter. I just happen to call yesterday and verified information from my 2023 return and she said my return had been verified on February 29. Told me to wait 9 weeks. But my transcripts updated around 12:30 with 846.

    Reply
  12. PrettyMocha1

    For 3 weeks no updates.
    570-2/26
    971-3/4
    Never Received a letter. Withdrew from my 401k last year first time
    Monday WMR went from path to being processed.
    Just check have 571 with 846 DDD3/13

    Reply
  13. Bigcontreebilly

    @Qweet: did you have to id verify

    Reply
  14. Qweet

    846 with DDD of March 13. Filed and accepted on January 30.

    Reply
  15. Adkins,TX

    Nothing just pushed me back another week from 3/18 to 3/25 now….

    Reply
  16. Jackkkkk

    Any 846

    Reply
  17. Meoff

    846 for 3/13

    Reply
  18. Kaila

    Filed 2/23 accepted 2/24 – just checked 846 for 3/13.

    Reply
  19. 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!

    Is anyone seeing any sort of movement yet? It was around this time last week when all of my boxes updated with 2023. That was my indicator that I would get my 846 a few hours later…and it showed up a little after 2:00 😊

    Reply
    1
  20. Cabinetbruce

    846

    Reply
    1
  21. LostNthesauce

    Man it’s going to really suck if this letter don’t come in by Saturday to catch Tuesdays processing! So if the letter have a 22nd date that the irs claims and the agent from today stated it was sent last week then I’ll be goin into next week waiting on a darn letter! No letter for tomorrow so really counting on Saturday mail to show something!!!

    Reply
  22. StephTX

    Edit for fat fingers and autocorrect 😂 : Saying BIG prayers for all of us still waiting for that 846 tonight and going to bed and letting God do what He does 🙏🙏 Thanking Him in advance and having faith it’s gonna happen. Blessings to all of you tonight! Good night 🫶

    Reply
    4
  23. StephTX

    Dating BIG prayers for all of us still waiting for that 846 tonight and going to bed and letting God do what He does 🙏🙏 Thanking Him in advance and having faith it’s gonna happen. Blessings to all of you tonight! Good night 🫶

    Reply
    1
  24. Kimberly W

    Does anyone no if I can update my direct deposit on irs.gov if so how? And how do I get my transcripts?

    Reply
  25. 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!

    @Jay Jay: Oh my goodness, thank you so much…that means a lot, and it’s so sweet of you to say! 🥰 I am absolutely no expert lol, but I just try to pay it forward. When I stumbled upon this site about a decade ago…I knew nothing about transcripts, codes, as of dates, weeklies/dailies, etc. Sheila and a few of the other mods and regulars were so patient and helpful though, and I’ve learned so much. I also try to stick around after I get my refund, because I know what it’s like to be late to the 846 party. It’s a horrible feeling, so I want to give as much encouragement as I can! 🫶🏼

    Reply
    4
  26. Jay Jay
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-28
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Chime
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-28
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20250605
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Honeybee82: good evening ma’am. I have been on this forum for about 4 years and you and Sheila are the two that always stand out. I know where to go when I have questions. Thank you for all your assistance here.

    Reply
    6
  27. Jay Jay
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-28
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Chime
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-28
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20250605
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • I Got My Refund!

    Hey guys to give everyone of us hope. If you up when you update and you see a DDD. Let us know. I’m saying my congrats right now cause I’m going to be sleeping. 🥱😪😴

    Reply
    2
  28. Adkins, TX

    I better get an 846 Mr IRS tomorrow haha its been since 1/19 :)

    Reply
    4
  29. 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!

    @Alliee: Yaaaay! 😄 I’m keeping my fingers crossed and hopes high for you! With us heading into mid March, and most refunds already issued by now….I’m hoping that means they’re able to process them more quickly now. I think A LOT of people are going to update tonight, and I’m here to celebrate with you all! 🍾💵

    Reply
    4
  30. Jay Jay
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-28
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Chime
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-28
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20250605
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Quick question: were all waiting for a DDD. I filed and was accepted on the 23rd of February as well. Hoping for tonight

    Reply
  31. KK29

    @Quick question: not yet

    Reply
  32. LostNthesauce

    @Kris1234: that sound like bruh man from the 5th floor who I had a few days ago! He was like “I seen you already called in on” I’m like ugh huh sure did and I’ll hung up and call right back if nothing sounds consistent! He also reassured me that due to the backlog of letters going out that it’s not 14 days it’s 30 day response time!

    Reply
    2
  33. Alliee

    @Honeybee82: I’m hereeeee 🥰

    Reply
    1
  34. HeyyKayy

    When you amend your taxes and they show you a refund amount due to you, is that in addition to what you already got back or is it the total of what you got back already plus the corrected amended amount? It wasn’t very clear. It just said your refund amount and showed a total. I got my initial refund on the 28th of February and just amended this years taxes a couple days ago. If anyone knows please advise. Thank you!

    Reply
    1
  35. Red Dawn
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-21
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Credit union
    • Bars:
      What Bars?
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-29

    @Mariah2024: that’s me too. Same dates, same codes.

    Reply
    1
  36. Quick question

    Anyone file on 2/23 get a DDD yet??

    Reply
  37. Kris1234

    Part 2 lol
    I did act clueless hoping for more help and this guy says his notes show I was told the 21st and to allow an additional 30 days until March 21st. what gets me is he was acting like this professional that had all this info yet clearly nothing they say ever matches up. and was definitely not expecting to be told “he couldn’t schedule me an appointment just to keep waiting there’s nothing else I could do” lol smh

    Reply
    1
  38. Kris1234

    Part 1 Small Rant Time guys. So i just called again to just make an appointment to verify in person i got the most “professional a hole” lol literally was told that “there’s nothing you can do you just have to wait and follow our process we are unable to schedule you an appointment. Oh and you said you weren’t given any dates it shows right here in my notes that we already told you to give us another 30 days and that would be March 21st” Mind you I have previously called a guy said Feb 22 letter was mailed out to allow 15 days which was March 6th.

    Reply
    1
  39. Not in a rush-but kinda

    @Sav0004: Yes, you can file your own taxes even if someone else claimed you as a dependent. You just don’t get yourself as a deduction.

    Reply
  40. Kris1234

    @LostNthesauce: yeah sorry to hear im at work so I dont know about mine but getting a little nervous due to the fact that i saw a comment saying they mailed the letter to a previous address, which im sure is why i need to verify due to moving and having a diff address. i really hope they didnt send it to an old address

    Reply