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
34,958 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 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. Denise N
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-9
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Chime
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-16
    • Transcript:
      A
    • As of:
      Feb-19
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Harry a: you never know I got my state already

    Reply

    Report comment
  2. Boogerbaby089

    @Harry a: what do you mean irs is offline?

    Reply

    moderated
  3. Harry a

    If you received your state refund should there be any problem with federal?

    Reply

    Report comment
  4. Jacky_FL
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-23
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Varo
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-24
    • Transcript:
      No Access
    • Cycle Code:
      05
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Lexxifrmtex: thank you for replying, letting me know 🙂

    Reply

    Report comment
  5. Jacky_FL
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-23
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Varo
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-24
    • Transcript:
      No Access
    • Cycle Code:
      05
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Iwantitnow: omg that’s great news…since we have 2024! Thank you for letting me know 😊

    Reply

    Report comment
  6. Iwantitnow

    @Jacky_FL: They do accept file for ammended now. Was able to submit through TaxAct where I originally filed and IRS accepted within 5 minutes. Just hoping the processing of it is not insane!!!

    Reply

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    1
  7. Lexxifrmtex

    @Jacky_FL: Depends on the software I was able to send my amended return through TurboTax. Last year it can only be the current year. If you trying amaend the year before you have to mail it in.

    Reply

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  8. Jacky_FL
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-23
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Varo
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-24
    • Transcript:
      No Access
    • Cycle Code:
      05
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Iwantitnow: Amended returns are not accepted electronically (as far as I know), needs to be mailed in.

    Reply

    Report comment
  9. Iwantitnow

    Thought I saw a post on here where someone ammended this year’s and got a DDD back already. ANYONE?

    Reply

    Report comment
  10. Jacky_FL
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-23
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Varo
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-24
    • Transcript:
      No Access
    • Cycle Code:
      05
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • I Got My Refund!

    GM!
    I really hope that next year everyone is taking literally less than a minute of their waiting time to fill in the profile – that will make it way easier for everyone to see the stats instead of having to ask over and over….
    Have a great day!

    Reply

    Report comment
    5
  11. Iwantitnow

    I e-filed an ammended return yesterday. Filed this year’s 1/17 accepted 1/19. Hit with the 570. Noticed at least 3 errors missing W2, 1095-R, and marketplace form was filled out wrong (error on TaxAct part). Rather than continue to wait, I filed the ammended. Hope I don’t get stuck for months! Call pray for me please!!!

    Reply

    Report comment
    1
  12. Emarto1

    @Bryweslyn2011: I think you should call back on Monday. Mine did the same thing. Keep me posted.

    Reply

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  13. Harry a

    38 days no changes and now irs is offline

    Reply

    Report comment
  14. Shelleybeansss

    @Alizay: offset for taxes or other debt

    Reply

    Report comment
    1
  15. Boogerbaby089

    @WorryWart: darn it, well I guess I will just sit back down… lmao oh well

    Reply

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    1
  16. WorryWart

    @Boogerbaby089: Unfortunately it does that every Sunday early in the morning and then it goes back to not being there later in the day. I noticed it about 3 weeks ago and got excited thinking it meant movement on my 570 and 971 but nope, not a single change in 4 weeks smh

    Reply

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    2
  17. Boogerbaby089

    Just wanted to say I’m sending good vibes into the universe! Accounts are doing something. Mine just went from ? and adjustment message for 2023 to now owed 0.00 we shall see. I didn’t see any movement on transcript still sitting with 570 971. Fingers crossed!

    Reply

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    1
  18. Alizay

    We made changes to your tax return that changed the amount of your refund.
    Our changes decreased the amount of your refund to $0.00. You will receive a notice that explains the changes to your tax return. Your notice is scheduled to be mailed on March 13, 2024.
    Details
    Contact Us
    If you have questions or need additional information, please have the following on hand when you call:
    A copy of this page.
    A copy of your tax return.
    The notice we sent you.
    If you disagree with this change or the way we processed your return, please contact us.
    Please mention reference number 9021 to the IRS Customer Service Representative

    Does anyone have any idea of what this means? I have never seen this before.

    Reply

    Report comment
  19. Bryweslyn2011

    My verify refund disappeared last week. I called IRS and they were confused about the verify identity link I was referring to. Which means they also didn’t understand when I explained that it disappeared. I had previously called the Tax Advocate line when I still had the verify identity notice. A second letter was sent on 2/26. My WMR has t changed and just says “my tax return is still being processed”. My transcripts show N/A for 2023 and state that they have not received a tax return for this year.

    If the notification has disappeared does that mean the system corrected itself? Should I call the Tax Payer Advocate back Monday to inquire?

    Reply

    Report comment
  20. Starr

    @Red Dawn: yeah I hope you update this soon/this week. This 60 day hold bs is bs !!! 🤢🤮of the irs!! Sending tons and tons of luck your way! Shit my way too lol.

    Reply

    Report comment
    1
  21. Starr

    @Davids: ok going back over your message , you do have access to your transcripts. That is the best way to see what’s going on . We will be here if you need answers to your questions, but honestly I think you will update with your transcripts being filled in sometime next week .

    Reply

    Report comment
  22. Starr

    @Davids: good start …. Is what I was trying to say

    Reply

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  23. Starr

    @Davids: so far it seems to be off to a start .. if you can check your transcripts do so and keep an eye on wmr. Hopefully next week you get an update or even better your refund !!! 🤞🏽🤞🏽🤞🏽💵good luck.

    Reply

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  24. caragrider269

    I only got half of my 1st and 2nd stimulus and I’m married and I’m also waitin on my decreased fathers tax return which was filed in 2022 a month after his passing

    Reply

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  25. Davids

    @Starr: i filed 2/27 and accepted 2/27. wmr has 1 bar and has tax topic 152. Transcripts shows no return filed with as of date 3/25. Please let me know what to expect?

    Reply

    Report comment
  26. Red Dawn
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-29
    • Fees:
      In Advance
    • Bank:
      Credit union
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-29
    • Date Approved:
      Jan-29
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      04
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • As of:
      Feb-19
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Starr: all they said was they’re reviewing my return and it could take 60 days or 120 days 🥹

    Reply

    Report comment
    1
  27. Starr

    @Morris: yeah it seems as so. I’ve filed with tax act for the last 2 years and both times they combined my schedule c’s .smh, but It really didn’t take to long last year to fix I got my refund 3/7 , but I also had a tax advocate.

    Reply

    Report comment
  28. Morris

    @Starr: It just seems like the IRS is deliberately holding people’s returns or trying to find something to cause a delay.

    Reply

    Report comment
    2
  29. Starr

    @Red Dawn: have you called to find out what’s your hold for?? Or what letter is being issued if any for that 971 -3/11 ??

    Reply

    Report comment
  30. Red Dawn
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-29
    • Fees:
      In Advance
    • Bank:
      Credit union
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-29
    • Date Approved:
      Jan-29
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      04
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • As of:
      Feb-19
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Sdiego: mine hasn’t change at all.
    As of Date: 2/19
    Processing date: 3/4
    570: 3/4
    971: 3/11

    Haven’t changed for going on 3 weeks 😭

    Reply

    Report comment
  31. Red Dawn
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-29
    • Fees:
      In Advance
    • Bank:
      Credit union
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-29
    • Date Approved:
      Jan-29
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      04
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • As of:
      Feb-19
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Starr: I feel that same way 🥹

    Reply

    Report comment
  32. Starr

    On a good note my wmr never changed today it still says “being processed” but still no tax topic 🙈🤷🏽‍♀️💆🏽‍♀️🤦🏽‍♀️who no’s !!!

    Reply

    Report comment
  33. Starr

    @Morris: I’m going to be the last one left … my verification went through and is complete from what the agent told me yesterday, but I have a hold for 60 day review as well .i went ahead a uploaded some information to them just in case they need it. My 2 schedule c’s are combined and needs to be separated. This happened last year . Don’t understand why ??🤷🏽‍♀️ Sooooo f-me !! I’m just giving up and I’ll get my refund whenever it comes.

    Reply

    Report comment
    1
  34. Jacky_FL
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-23
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Varo
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-24
    • Transcript:
      No Access
    • Cycle Code:
      05
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • I Got My Refund!

    Me tooooo 😆 + I cannot even access my transcripts 🤣🐶

    Reply

    Report comment
    1
  35. Davids

    Hi all, I filed 2/27 and accepted 2/27. wmr has 1 bar and has tax topic 152. Transcripts shows no return filed with as of date 3/25. Please let me know what to expect?

    Reply

    Report comment
  36. Denise N
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-9
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Chime
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-16
    • Transcript:
      A
    • As of:
      Feb-19
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Morris: not fair

    Reply

    Report comment
  37. Kris1234

    @Morris: yeah I am as well, Igotmyrefund. com tuned into igotmydelay. com for the rest of us lol

    Reply

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    2
  38. Morris

    @Denise N: Looks like it’s only a few of us left waiting forever.

    Reply

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    4
  39. Denise N
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-9
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Chime
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-16
    • Transcript:
      A
    • As of:
      Feb-19
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Morris: this 😫

    Reply

    Report comment
  40. Sdiego
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-29
    • Fees:
      In Advance
    • Bank:
      bankmobile
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-29
    • Transcript:
      Blank
    • Cycle Code:
      04
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • As of:
      Mar-18
    • Processing Date:
      Mar-4
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Red Dawn: does your 971 say notice issued? Did you relieve anything? I am thinking that next week we might see movement. My as of date is 3/18/24.

    Reply

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    3