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. Emarto1

    @Jacky_FL: Thank you for your reply earlier. I really appreciate it.

    Reply
    1
  2. Morris

    2 1/2 hrs to go until updates.

    Reply
    5
  3. Kris123

    @LostNthesauce: I’m in the same situation can you kind of clarify the process you took? I filed/approved January 29, then was told letter was sent out February 22. But didn’t see where or what to do about contacting a congressman and what they would need.

    Reply
  4. 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!

    @Emarto1: 😊

    Reply
  5. Emarto1

    Well I finally got a hold of an agent. She told me that I definitely have to verify my return. So she verified my info and told me that she will release my return back into processing and to give it nine weeks. Lucky I had my verification letter or otherwise I wouldn’t have been able to verify.

    Reply
    3
  6. LostNthesauce

    @aether: oh no not since February 8th? May I ask when did you file? I’m still waiting on this 5071c letter since the 22nd of February! I just had to contact my congressman and send them a release form and my 23’ tax return

    Reply
  7. Kris123

    @Shelleybeansss: kind of funny because I’ve been working in customer service the past 7 years and I feel in customer service our job is to serve customers and help as much as we can. as stated in my last comment if some agents actually go out of there way to help and actually go ahead and get them verified but some choose not to do anything but say the same script then idk. and fyi im saying this very friendly with no hard feelings or attitude. thx

    Reply
    2
  8. Kris123

    @Shelleybeansss: Sure, which I definitely understand but if “some” of these agents are just going ahead and getting people verified why don’t they all? I know it would take more time then to just say the normal “cant do anything for you” script but idk I guess its just something I won’t ever understand.

    Reply
    1
  9. Kris123

    Actually an IRS agent had just picked up “well sir it is your lucky dayyyy…….” (long pause which I’m thinking Yay I Finally Get To Verify or It Corrected Itself.) Okay sir how is it my lucky day? well I spoke with you last time, Now that’s some luck right there. smh lol then the usual “cant do anything about it spill”

    Reply
    1
  10. Shelleybeansss

    The IRS call center is just like all other call centers. There is only 90 seconds between calls and the phones auto answer when the next rep is available. You can always tell the people that have never worked a call center/customer service

    Reply
  11. Shelleybeansss

    @Kris123: I worked there, in that exact role. I promise it’s not how anyone there really starts their day. From the first call on, cussed at, screamed at, threatened, belittled, blamed, etc. and they don’t put you on hold just to wait until the shift ends. The queue gets cleared and all agents are talking until their shift ends and sometimes longer. Until you’ve done the job, there shall be no judgment

    Reply
    3
  12. Kris123

    Lol laugh for the day, so I make one last attempt to call and verify at 6:30 get put on hold (still on hold) and googled there hours so of course they just closed at 7. Some IRS agent just put me on hold for 30 minutes until they close. I know alot of us actually have hard working jobs and or careers which makes me wonder how hard can answering phones be that makes them so unhelpful and rude at times lol

    Reply
    2
  13. aether

    After waiting since February 08 I received my letter today to Verify my Identity.

    I got a 5071C Letter

    Just need to verify my AGI, Refund Amount and the last four digits of my DD Bank account.

    Cheers, now lest wait..

    Reply
    2
  14. 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!

    imi = IMO
    ✌🏻

    Reply
    1
  15. 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!

    @Yoyis: I think it looks good for you – imi 😊.
    The 768 is Earned Income Credit EIC
    806 is withholdings
    The minus sign means that YOU receive that amount when all is finalized, the code 846 appears

    Reply
    1
  16. Yoyis

    Hi i need help reading my transcript iam really confuss about all this please help🙏😔 with codes 150and 766 768 806 but thry havd negative sighn ??

    Reply
  17. Mandie

    @Denise N.: currently snowed in and can’t get down to the mailbox today but will try tomorrow or Saturday! I’m past hopeful atp so if I don’t get an update, I won’t be any more annoyed than I already am haha

    Reply
  18. Denise N.

    @Emarto1: call back asap and reverify have your w2 from 22 & 23 plus your letter in hand

    Reply
  19. Denise N.

    @Mandie: go grab that letter to spare yourself disappointment

    Reply
  20. Adkins, TX

    @Morris: im hoping for a 846 for next week, this trip has been to long this year

    Reply
    2
  21. Terrymia

    I called the IRS today was told that there was an error and will take 10 Weeks before I get a letter or refund? They could not explain the error. Filed 30 days ago. Just nut!!! Transcripts are N/A no movement for 30 days.

    Reply
    1
  22. Morris

    10 hours to go until updates start.!!!

    Reply
    6
  23. Morris

    @Mandie: Wow snowed in. NC won’t see any and hasn’t seen any snow. Our state is like that one year we may see snow then another year won’t see snow. Yes, the majority of us should see an update early morning.

    Reply
    1
  24. Mandie
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-21
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bars:
      2nd Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-21
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-20
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Morris: hopefully! i’ll update in the morning if anything changes! i can’t go down to the mailbox today because i’m basically snowed in so i can’t see what the letter from the irs is but maybe i won’t need to see it, hopefully there’s an 846 waiting for us tomorrow

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

    @LostNthesauce: good luck hope you get the help you need. let us know how it goes

    Reply
    1
  26. Shelleybeansss

    Just hoping to see some kind of movement this week. That as of 3/4 570 is starting to collect dust sitting there not moving 😂

    Reply
  27. Shelleybeansss

    @StephTX: oooh that would be uhmazing

    Reply
  28. StephTX

    @Shelleybeansss: I wonder if they are trying to get caught up some so they started processing weeklies earlier in the day? Wouldn’t that be a nice thought? Lol

    Reply
    3
  29. StephTX

    @Ebony: Wow!! That is way out of the norm. I have always been an 05 as well and I have just been checking daily but always kind of thinking it’s either Friday or another week but like you said it is definitely an anything but normal tax season!

    Reply
    1
  30. 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!

    @Kris123: 😆

    Reply
    2
  31. Shelleybeansss

    @StephTX: I think weeklies can possibly update days other than Friday

    Reply
    1
  32. Emarto1

    @Jacky_FL: OK. Thank you for the reply.

    Reply
    1
  33. Kris123

    So I recieved a Netspend All Access card in the mail randomly I google “why did I receive net spend all access card?” First thing it says is the IRS can send you one with your refund if they don’t have your banking info etc. So I got my hopes up but nope balance on it is $0 lol

    Reply
    1
  34. Ebony

    @StephTx: Yes I am an 05 cycle code been that ever since i started filing taxes…. All day yesterday I could not view where’s my refund or my transcripts I decided to try this morning and my transcripts updated with 846 and ddd. Which was a lil cra cra because I usually update Friday morning…this was a weird tax season..

    Reply
    5
  35. 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!

    @Emarto1: I’m just wondering… I would call them anyways with the letter in hand

    Reply
    1
  36. StephTX

    @Ebony: Your cycle code ends in 05 and you updated this morning?

    Reply
  37. Emarto1

    @Morris: Hey I believe it is a good sign that your status went from still processing to being processed. You should see a update tomorrow. My status says still processing. And I received my verification letter last Thursday but the link to verify on my irs account is gone. So I can’t verify. Anyway, it looks like another long week for me.

    Reply
    1
  38. Ebony

    @Lele91 my 570 code date is 03/25 and 571 code date is 04/01

    Reply
  39. Lele91

    @Ebony: what was the date next to you code 570?

    Reply
  40. LostNthesauce

    I just sent in my release form and 2023 tax return to my congressman office!!! Praying for a miracle!!!🙏🏼

    Reply
    2