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 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 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. Starr

    I think I’m going to amend my return šŸ˜©šŸ¤¦šŸ½ā€ā™€ļøā€¦ I believe it’s going to take just as long to amend as to waiting 120days ! Smdh!!!!

    Reply
  2. WorryWart

    @Sly39: well shucks, lol. Back to the drawing board I go

    Reply
    1
  3. Sly39

    @mo: everyone is getting review letters that being reviewed to verify everything and take up to 60 days…most are not getting verify identity they just assume they are most are actually getting review letters

    Reply
    1
  4. Sly39

    @LostNthesauce: check online for it …the review letters are being seen online both my daughter’s got one and was online to see when was there

    Reply
  5. Sly39

    @WorryWart: my daughter has as of Feb 26 she has review too and she uploaded everything on Feb 17 and still nothing!!!

    Reply
    1
  6. meow
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-18
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bars:
      2nd Bar

    @Trouble78: call irs

    Reply
  7. meow
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-18
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bars:
      2nd Bar

    @Trouble78: id call irs. unfortunately im in the middle of the turbo tax sofi bank refund MESS. santa barbara aka greendot say they sent my refund back to irs on 2/7 but that must be a lie cuz the irs doesnt have it . i called today and their gonna put a trace on it

    Reply
  8. WorryWart

    Just uploaded proof of ANY and ALL income, credits, 401k plans, and withholdings I claimed on my return. Hopefully now they can review it even faster since I gave them all the cheat codes lol

    Reply
    1
  9. 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!

    @Shelleybeansss: I think I agree with you. I got a online notice that my tax return is in review and it can take up to 60 days.

    Reply
    1
  10. Shelleybeansss

    @Harry a: I truly don’t think there’s any rhyme or reason to the processing or as of dates. Mine says 3/4 and nothing has happened and there are no answers to date on what’s happening

    Reply
  11. LostNthesauce

    @Dae: F/A 1/29/24 as well!!! I decided to let fate intervene and take over at this point! The advice I get is so lost in space that there’s no return LITERALLY!!! I was told a letter was mailed out on the 22nd of February and then it was sent last week etc etc! I just stopped getting on as much because it throws my spirit out of alignment! I’m convinced that there’s no letter and perhaps my return will pop itself back into processing! Anything by is possible at this point!

    Reply
    2
  12. MartyMcFly01

    My WMR changed from the 3-4 weeks message to the ā€˜Your tax return is still being processed’ last night. Top 2 transcripts are N/A. Filed and Accepted on 2/26. Any insight is appreciated.

    Reply
  13. Dae

    I was accepted 1/29.

    Verified 2/29.

    Sitting and waiting. Top two transcripts are NA, bottom two haven’t moved with as of date of 2/19.

    I’m a weekly, so hoping to update this Friday. That’s a huge leap of hope here, because the IRS has currently lost all my faith in the system that lets millionaires/billionaires float through without (often enough) getting audited (seemingly anyway) while my under a grand refund sits floating in the ether that is the “new improved” system. smh

    Reply
    2
  14. mo

    I got a letter saying they are auditing my refund. Guessing I need to check and amend. Anyone else get a letter saying it could take 60 days. What if I made a mistake?!!

    Reply
  15. Eddleman

    @Harry a: good luck to you as well!

    Reply
  16. Harry a

    @Eddleman: Mine same as yours but accepted date is 2/1 good luck

    Reply
  17. Eddleman

    @Honeybee82: thank you! Praying for an 846 filed 2/12 been accepted since 2/12. Sitting with a 570 after all credit codes. No notices no letters. Just waiting on it to clear been this way 3 weeks. With no movement on transcripts and a processing date for the 570 is 3/11 I’m hoping to see movement Friday morning!

    Reply
  18. Harry a

    Any thoughts my tran says processing date 3/11 today is 3/12 no changes on it?

    Reply
  19. SS

    @DavidS: hopefully you should update on Saturday on wmr Friday for transcripts. I filed and approved 2/22 I updated last Friday and Sat

    Reply
  20. Boogerbaby089
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Feb-4
    • Fees:
      In Advance
    • Bank:
      Credit karma
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Feb-4
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20240805
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Mar-11
    • Processing Date:
      Mar-18
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Dee: same codes and I don’t think it it’s random at all. Myself and my husband both have 100 dollars extra taken out of our checks every week and we both work for the same company. The irs told me it was a “random” income, credit , withholding verification check and to allow 45 days. Then they said 60 days and now they are telling me 120 days around July 17th or so. WTF and those number change three times. They also said they didn’t receive my w2s and to contact employer, so I did.. Employer said it was sent January 31st certified mail to irs, so I said where can I upload my w2s to you guys and the agent said you can’t because you can fake the w2. So the w2 is good enough to use to file taxes but not good enough for them?

    Reply
    1
  21. DavidS

    Filed 2/27, WMR still shows one bar, transcript shows no return filed. State refund was already sent. When can I expect IRS to approve or update transcript at least?

    Reply
  22. Trouble78

    My refund was sent to green dot account I’ve got no access to how do I get my money

    Reply
  23. Dee

    @Lizzie: Same exact dates as you and letter…..

    Reply
  24. Surely4k

    846less

    Reply
  25. Makinah

    @Dez: Fridays on transcripts Saturday on wmr

    Reply
    1
  26. Dez

    When to cycle 05 update

    Reply
  27. Makinah

    @Dominique J: contact then on their website SBTPG ,first check the refund status at SBTPG website , then doubled check your turbotax account for mailing address for that debit card ? Because ( SBTPG) don’t send debit cards and double check the deposit info on your return not printed one by your “helper” check the actual one on turbotax ,
    good luck

    Reply
    1
  28. Starr

    @Red Dawn: yes me too …

    Reply
  29. Dee

    @Kash: I filed on January 30th. It was accepted by the IRS in 17 minutes. Checked transcript in 2 weeks and had codes 150, 806, 570 and 971!!! Called the IRs and they said they didn’t know what was going on. Then today get a CP05. I called the Taxpayer Advocate. They checked our return and said they did not see any issues at all. It is a 3 page return with no EIC, No child Tax credits. Only overpaid on Federal Tax!!!!

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

    @Starr: I know. They could just tell me what’s wrong lol but I’m praying for a miracle for all of us!šŸ™šŸ¼

    Reply
    3
  31. 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!

    @Honeybee82: my last sentence is supposed to say if you’re a *weekly*…I apologize lol

    Reply
  32. 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!

    @Eddleman23: If you are a weekly, you will only update late Thursday night into Friday morning. Dailies can update any day of the week, but the ā€˜mass updates’ for them are Monday night into Tuesday morning. So if you’re a daily, you might see an update by tomorrow morning. If you’re a daily, unfortunately you have to wait until Friday morning…because they only update once a week.

    Reply
  33. Mama4

    @Kiiaja: Might want to double check the mailing address you put down.

    Reply
  34. Mama4

    @Kiiaja: Yes I did! Filed 1/25 accepted 1/25 (Fed)
    CO State accepted 2/21 got state refund deposited 2/29 used TurboTax
    My sister same filing date and status and she still hasn’t gotten her state or my mom and they both went through H&R Block this year. It did say it was approved and sent on both of theirs this past week and is expected in the mail this week. My mom and sis are also in CO I hope this helps

    Reply
  35. Kiiaja

    Sorry my whole comment did not post. My CO refund status says the check was mailed 2/29/24. But I still haven’t gotten it. Anyone else still waiting on the mail in CO?
    It’s frustrating when they offer DD but send a check anyway!

    Reply
  36. Kiiaja

    Hi, has anyone gotten a Colorado state tax refund or update? If there’s a thread for this year can someone link to it?

    Reply
  37. 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!

    Has anyone that received notice that there is a review of there taxes and can take upto 60 days and said not to call until the 60 days has past? I hope it doesn’t take that long.

    Reply
    1
  38. Morris

    @Eddleman23: I believe it’s for daily but weeklies can also update. It’s not promising but it does happen.

    Reply
  39. Morris

    @VaMom: We are both in the same situation.

    Reply
  40. Morris

    @Kash: Thursday into Friday. Some will update tonight into tomorrow. I’m still waiting as well.

    Reply