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
49,358 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. Shelleybeansss

    @Curious04: honestly every time we’ve ever received a check from the IRS it’s been standard mail

    Reply
  2. LostNthesauce

    @Beth: it asks for agi, refund amount and last 4 of account number if you used direct deposit!!! Of course the control number as well!

    Reply
    1
  3. Beth

    What all do you do when you verify online?? What kind of information do they ask??

    Reply
  4. Curious04

    Does irs send any checks certified mail UPS?

    Reply
  5. Fabfammamma

    @dj: I have 570 and 971

    Reply
  6. LostNthesauce

    Whelp I just verified and now I guess I’m in phase 2! The message to verify is gone! Still says 2023 tax return not processed but I suppose I have movement with the letter!

    Reply
    1
  7. dj

    @Fabfammamma: do you have any codes

    Reply
  8. Blue3y3s

    Finally got my 846 today! It says my refund will be issued march 27th

    Reply
    4
  9. StephTX

    Many years ago my ex husband and I were trying to get his VA disability processed and we were getting the run around for months from the processing center in Houston saying they couldn’t locate his medical records and they would give these off the wall and non-consistent responses just playing games. So I contacted out congressman on a Monday morning. The responded that afternoon. By 5pm the following day, they had all the records and forward his case through….he was approved by that Friday morning! It’s a shame it takes that for people to do their damn jobs!

    Reply
  10. Curious04

    Hi I already received two letters in the mail from irscabout refund issue and balance offset. Now I see two more certified coming for me to sign? Or so my aunt says
    What do you all think that’s about? My refund etc was already issued

    Reply
  11. StephTX

    @QushunT: I already did the same! I will not be in this position again!

    Reply
    1
  12. Denise N.

    @LostNthesauce: it’s going I’m ready to get home to that letter this year is hell on wheels

    Reply
    1
  13. StephTX

    @QushunT: Same here! This is ridiculous this year! I reached out to my congressman’s office because I just don’t know what else to do.

    Reply
  14. QushunT
    • Tax Preparer:
      TaxAct
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-16
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Varo
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-22
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      1205
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Apr-8
    • Processing Date:
      Apr-8
    • I Got My Refund!

    After 2 months of waiting and verifying, I updated to a 570 code. I have filed for 28 years and I always file early every year and I have never had to verify or been under review until now this is crazy. Never waiting again!

    Reply
    2
  15. QushunT
    • Tax Preparer:
      TaxAct
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-16
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Varo
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-22
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      1205
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Apr-8
    • Processing Date:
      Apr-8
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Shelleybeansss: I just updated my w4 because either I’m going to owe or break even Im never waiting like this again.

    Reply
    3
  16. LostNthesauce

    @Bowl: I would say work with your TA and show them that your family is really in a hardship! I contacted my congressman about a week ago and they just responded back just needing a signed copy of my tax return so they can take a look to see what’s goin on!!!

    Reply
  17. LostNthesauce

    Yall won’t believe this but idk if anyone remembers that I contacted my congressman well they just emailed me this morning informing me that they assigned a TA and they just need a signed copy of my tax return so they can take a look to see why it haven’t been released! Funny thing also is, I checked informed delivery last night and THERE goes the 5071c letter!!! So ppl contact your congressman if you feel things are taking too long! I ended up getting one and didn’t even know they went to bat! Should I keep them until the refund is released? My congressman are aware of my eviction as well

    Reply
    2
  18. Fabfammamma

    @Dj: so my processing date is 3/18! I filed 1/29.

    Reply
  19. ShantayG

    Did anybody else who filed with TT fees get paid from their refund but still have blank transcripts?

    Reply
    1
  20. Dj

    @Fabfammamma: it tells you on the account Transcript processing date: 03-04-2024 as of Date 03-04-2024

    Reply
  21. StephTX

    @Bowl: What did the tax advocate have to say?

    Reply
  22. BrownBoySlim

    Make sure you check the app and your transcripts. The IRSGo app still say “Return Received”, but the transcript is updated. Most likely the App will be updated in the morning.

    Reply
  23. Shelleybeansss

    After this year I’m never filing before mid February again and I may put down I have 8 dependents on my w4. I have 3. I have no issue with paying the IRS rather than going thru this ever again

    Reply
    1
  24. Patiently waiting in the 954

    @Bowl: you will update next Friday

    Reply
  25. Sly39

    I truly think they had a glitch or something in the IRS system messed up for this many reviews it’s not normal for this many and apparently will be the full 60 days before anything.. but guys uploading things don’t help my daughter uploaded Feb 17 and nothing if you are on review it will not help she still has as of Feb 26 too … And I would say more then not people didn’t even need to verify they actually have reviews! 971 is general code for letter or notice not a specific thing and alot have reviews not verify identity so unless you was actually given letters ! My other daughter was told verify and was actually review after she verified

    Reply
    3
  26. nova219

    So frustrated both my returns had to be verified so I haven’t received anything this is so overwhelming. Both returns were accepted 1/29.

    Reply
    1
  27. nova219

    @Jennyb: me to I verified on 3/8 and I saw someone that verified last week and got DDD I just don’t understand their process.

    Reply
    3
  28. Sly39

    @Starr: my daughter uploaded anything and everything on Feb 17 ! She is still sitting with as of Feb 26 and for 60 day review yet they have had proof of everything on IRS documents since Feb 17 upload things does no good

    Reply
  29. Sly39

    @CW: should only be few days really …

    Reply
  30. Sly39

    Alot don’t realize guys they tell you whatever and some don’t even need to verify just doing it thinking need to when it’s actually 60 day reviews!!!

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

    @Sdiego: same šŸ˜ž shed a tear cause I really need it right now 🄹

    Reply
    1
  32. Jay

    anyone with solar credit form 5695 get an update today? Filed 2/11 still N/A..

    Reply
  33. Jennyb

    Unbelievable after 2 weeks ago verifying. I still don’t have my transcripts filled. WTH is going on this is never happened to me before!!!

    Reply
    3
  34. Bowl

    Filed 2/1
    Accepted 2/1
    Filed with Tax Slayer online
    WMR showed Action required for the ID verify
    Verified in person (2 hours away) on 2/28 – Agent told us she released our return for processing
    ID.me verified on 2/29 on the phone
    Transcripts FINALLY updated with the following codes (transcripts up until last night showed the No record of return filed)
    150 (shows date 4-8-2024 cycle code 20240105)
    806 (shows date 4-15-2024)
    766 (shows date 4-15-2024)
    570 (shows date 4-08-2024)
    Wife is on hold with the Tax Advocate service on the phone. We lost our vehicle before Christmas and our youngest child has a disability and will have doctor appointments. Anyone else out there with any hope or guidance for us?

    Reply
  35. Haleyw25
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Feb-29
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      0905
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Mar-25
    • Processing Date:
      Mar-18
    • I Got My Refund!

    I called the IRS everyone tells me different things. šŸ™„ but apparently I’ll be getting a letter Monday one lady told me it’s just a letter saying they need the 60 days there’s nothing wrong with my return or anything. The lady I just spoke with told me I’ll get the letter and it’ll tell me what I need to do. So idk this is ridiculous…

    Reply
  36. CW

    It’s said check was mailed on 3/15.. how long would it take to get to me. I’m in Georgia

    Reply
  37. Fabfammamma

    I have 570 code with date 3/18 and 971 with date 3/25
    Any inputs on this other than I’m still a sitting clueless duck

    Reply
  38. Fabfammamma

    @Dj: can you tell me how you know it was processed on that date? Is it on your transcript

    Reply
  39. Dj

    1/29 filed and accepted
    finally got into my online account
    Found out my return wasn’t processed till March 4, 2024
    All Transcripts are completed but on my
    Account Transcript I have codes
    are 150,806,766,570,768 still no 846 as of today

    Reply
  40. Fabfammamma

    Ii am still waiting with no updates since accepted 1/29
    I noticed on my transcript code 150 there is a date 3/18 but $0 for the amount
    What does this mean??
    On my prior years there is obviously an amount

    Reply