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. Kash

    Heyyy!! So any insight would be a blessing. We filed on 1/29 accepted 1/30. Seen the verification message on my IRS Account on 2/19. We went and verified in person on 2/22. Didn’t see an update on my WMR till 3/1 week. “Your refund is being processed” our transcripts are N.A. but, the as of date is 3/18/24. I called 2 times today to make sure there is no more holds on our account. They said no codes. Is anyone else still waiting? When should we receive an update? I’m trying to be patient.

    Reply
    2
  2. VaMom

    Tomorrow makes 2 weeks that I verified return online. Notice disappeared on my IRS account, still all N/As on transcripts. Hoping to see movement Friday. If not, I give up 😂

    Reply
    5
  3. Tannie

    Worst tax refund processing year ever!
    Maybe they’re broke because of all those student loans they paid….
    oh but wait….
    I paid every dime of my student loan myself….
    go figure

    Reply
  4. Tantom

    Worst tax refund processing year ever!
    Maybe they’re broke because of all those student loans they paid….
    oh but wait….
    I paid every dime of my student loan myself….
    go figure

    Reply
    3
  5. Eddleman23

    @Morris: is it possible to update tomorrow on transcripts if you are a weekly or just dailys?

    Reply
    1
  6. Starr

    @Red Dawn: I hope not !!

    Reply
  7. Jacky_FL
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Feb-21
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Discover Bank
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Feb-21
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      02
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • Processing Date:
      Mar-31
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Dominique J:
    There are a few complaints on BBB, where they even reply at length(!) accusing the client of tantrums.
    Like Jenny suggested: Call the IRS!
    They are open 7-7 any US time zone.
    I assume you contacted “boss” ?

    Reply
  8. JennyC

    @Dominique J: hmmmm sounds like an inside job I’d call your tax preparer and the IRS to report fraud.

    Reply
  9. Jennyc

    Request date Of 3/11*

    Reply
  10. JennyC

    One of the next transcripts updating? I have a Request for 311, but I still have all zeros nothing filled out and I verified last Tuesday.

    Reply
  11. Jacky_FL
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Feb-21
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Discover Bank
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Feb-21
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      02
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • Processing Date:
      Mar-31
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Dominique J: You in ATL also?
    What do they say?

    Reply
  12. Dominique J

    @Jacky_FL: Boss Tax Moves Co out of Atlanta.

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

    @Starr: I think the only thing holding me up is the W2g and the win/losses I filed. So i figured it would be a bit 🥹

    Reply
  14. Dae

    @NotInARush-ButKinda: That’s insane when you look at it that way! I’m the same, mine is just a tad over 1k and I’m playing the waiting game after verifying last week with my code. tiktok…tiktok…clock is ticking on that interest, IRS.

    Reply
    1
  15. NotInARush-ButKinda

    Lets get this straight….
    The AVERAGE IRS agent makes 1110/wk…which is approximately $27/hr
    They are holding my refund of less than 1000k, and giving a possible “verification timeframe” of 60 days….

    So they are paying an agent approximately $12k to determine if I did my tax return correctly…..
    Lets say, I didnt. So lets say they decide to keep all 900 dollars…..they can’t even recoup what they’re spending.

    This is insanity.

    Reply
    3
  16. Jacky_FL
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Feb-21
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Discover Bank
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Feb-21
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      02
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • Processing Date:
      Mar-31
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Dominique J: I’m so sorry! Who is the preparer – like a friend or Turbo Tax or so?

    Reply
  17. Dominique J

    Someone please help!!!y tax preparer screwed up my deposit information for my tax refund. My taxes were deposited to an Green Dot acct that I googled from this routing number (096017418). When i call the number it says its SBTPG tax refund place that deposits refund. Well I do not have a green dot bank and Im not sure how to find my money. Green dot says they do not have it what should I do?

    Reply
  18. Morris

    @GoodLuckEveryone!: Same here really but I need my refund. Lol. This tax season has been the worst ever.

    Reply
  19. Morris

    Some people will get transcript updates tonight into tomorrow morning.

    Reply
    2
  20. GoodLuckEveryone!

    I’m happy for everyone who has received their refund with little or no troubles. But I, like many others am still waiting since January, and it can be pretty frustrating. I’m lucky enough that I don’t NEED my refund, but receiving it on time (especially when I’ve done nothing to cause the hold up) just seems so unfair. So, I can relate to the justifiable frustrations of everyone else on here getting the 570s and 971s, without getting any real answers or resolutions.
    But, it’s time for me to just stop stalking my transcripts, WMR, and this site, and unfortunately patiently wait some more.
    It’ll just have to be a pleasant surprise when my refund FINALLY hits my bank.

    Reply
    6
  21. Morris

    I know why I’m getting these letters because I kept requesting re-send.

    Reply
    1
  22. Morris

    I got another 5071C letter today 3rd one.

    Reply
  23. Morris

    @FlMom3: Should take 2 weeks

    Reply
  24. FlMom3

    I file January 22nd with a local office and accepted on the 27th. Received the notification on where’s my refund about verifying my return. I was able to make an appointment without the letter because I moved and didn’t think the letter would forward. It actually did forward and I was able to verify through irs.gov. I called the next day and was told there was no need to go to the appointment if i verified online because there was nothing else the tax office could do. I was also told they didn’t see the information for my 23 return and that was because it takes up to 3 weeks for it to update.

    Reply
    1
  25. Starr

    @WorryWart: it’ll ask you for the letter code or type of letter , but when you scroll down just hit other and send it to kanas. Upload and that’s it . I pray this works to move things along faster.

    Reply
    1
  26. Dee

    We have a simple, 3 page return and got a CP05 today. No EIC, No Child Tax Credits, just W2’s, 2 W2G’s and a 1099 SSA and overpaid federal tax with a refund of the overpayment amount. I filed on January 30th with a refund date of February 21. Just received the letter today. Doesn’t ask for any info just saying needs to verify information. Called the IRS and they have the information and cannot tell me what needs to be “verified”. It’s a 3 Page Return that can be read in 2 minutes….sheesh. The letter said up to 60 days but the IRS worker said 160 days. I think that none of them know what they are doing….period!

    Reply
    2
  27. WorryWart

    @Starr: when you uploaded to the portal, did it ask for an access code or anything? I want to upload a bunch of stuff to be proactive and I hope it’ll trigger someone to be forced to take a look when they update my file with the attachments

    Reply
  28. Morris

    So far I have no new notices just waiting for my transcripts to update. Don’t need anything new to hold up my refund any further.

    Reply
  29. WildCardTaxYear

    Member of the 570, 971, CP05 class, went with HRBlock, filed in January🙄🙄High five for everyone who’s received 846 or deposits already💯💯smh for the rest of us, strapped in and ready for the 60 day ride but hopeful that’s just a worst case scenario date🤞🤞💯💯

    Reply
    2
  30. Lizzie

    @Mariah2024: That’s interesting because this is the first year I am claiming SS! Hmmm

    Reply
    1
  31. Lizzie

    Hi, I’ve been following this thread for awhile. Along with a lot of you, I received the 570 with a date of 3/4 and then the 971 with the date of 3/11 (today) tax codes. Sure enough, I logged on to see if there’s been an update and I received my notice of the CPO5. This is the first time I’ve ever had a problem, I filed with Turbo Tax, made sure I had everything I needed so I know there is no problem, yet here we are! So I’m in a 60 day waiting mode like you all. This is aggravating and frustrating because we’re at their mercy.
    Anyway, thanks so much to this site and all of you for the information and updates! You’re saving my sanity! :)

    Reply
    1
  32. Sly39

    @Sdiego: my daughter as of is February 26 !! And has same a up to 60 day review..alot are getting review notices not verify identity. I think it’s a glitch happened or they aren’t ready to give out money .. because normally not that many reviews! Also alot with hr block in reviews

    Reply
    1
  33. Sly39

    @Mariah2024: no it can be for anything wages.. credits anything

    Reply
  34. Sly39

    Alot are not having to verify identity! Alot are getting notices of a review for up to 60 days ! 971 is a general code of notice sent don’t mean what the notice is for! Both of my daughters got a review notice for up to 60 days and one was told was to verify but wasn’t was for review so don’t assume you got a notice for any particular thing it could be for anything till you actually see and read it !

    Reply
  35. 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:
      Apr-29
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Red Dawn: several of us got these notices. I don’t think these dates mean much. Maybe we will see some movement this week 🙏 what else can we do.

    Reply
    1
  36. Starr

    @Sdiego: @Red Dawn: I received one today too. But last week when I called they told me I was getting one .? And the guy also tried to see what could be wrong. Found out what the problem could be ,he noted it to my account ,and I took initiative and uploaded the info to the portal even though it says not to do anything,with hopes they can correct it faster. 🤞🏽🤞🏽

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

    @Sdiego: I got mine too. 🥹 my as of date is still 2/19.

    Reply
  38. Mariah2024

    So I read on another page that the wage verification is because SSA hasn’t reported your wages. Is this true or not? Cause SSA shows my wages for last year

    Reply
    1
  39. 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:
      Apr-29
    • I Got My Refund!

    I just received an online notice via the IRS account, cp05 and basically it says there reviewing everything and it could take 60 days to issue my refund. Also it said don’t call them until the 60 days has passed. My as of date is still 3/18/24

    Reply
    1
  40. Mari

    Filed Feb 5th accepted Feb 5th with turbo tax. Only update on WMR was processing to “still processing”. Haven’t received anything in the mail. Very frustrating.

    Reply
    1