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
49,356 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. Harry a

    @shelleybeanss: I did that last week it worked talked to someone and still no changes

    Reply
    1
  2. shelleybeanss
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-13
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      CK
    • Bars:
      2nd Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-22
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-18
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-25
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      05
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Mar-10
    • Processing Date:
      Mar-3
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Lil t: I found this on the IGMR page.

    This is one of the fastest ways to talk to a human at the IRS. Here are the detailed steps to speak to HUMAN at the IRS:

    Dial the official IRS refund status number (800) 829-1040
    Press Option #1
    Press Option #2
    Ignore whatever they say and then press 000000
    Listen to automated message and just ignore whatever they say
    Stay on phone and you will be put through to someone

    Reply
  3. shelleybeanss
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-13
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      CK
    • Bars:
      2nd Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-22
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-18
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-25
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      05
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Mar-10
    • Processing Date:
      Mar-3
    • I Got My Refund!

    @TisTheSeasonOfTorture: I’m sorry :( hopefully those of us left see something very very soon.

    Reply
    4
  4. Lil t

    Dj: How are you talking to a live agent? I can’t get anyone on the toll free number listed.

    Reply
  5. TisTheSeasonOfTorture
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-22
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-23
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Mar-11
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Shelleybeansss: nothing for me today.

    Reply
    1
  6. Eddleman23

    Week 11 and no refund in site. I know I’m a weekly and could update at any point today but it’s been 1 week shy of 3 months since I filed and it’s ridiculous

    Reply
    3
  7. Dj

    71 days still no movement even after just talking to the IRS still nothing
    filed 1/29 stuck as date and processing date 3/4

    Reply
    1
  8. Shelleybeansss

    @Bunny: congrats. 🎉 hoping some of that 846 gets sprinkled on the rest of us lol

    Reply
    1
  9. Shelleybeansss

    Did anyone update today? I was really hoping when my AA of pushed out on Wednesday I’d see an update of some kind today but nada

    Reply
  10. Harry a

    Day 79 still no changes they still suck

    Reply
    3
  11. Bunny

    Goodmorning I was under 60 day review had the cpo5 letter and then received another 60 day letter after that I filed 1/22 had 971 and 570 for 3 months I got a 846 code this morning and it’s scheduled to be in my account by 4/23 so excited it’s been a long tax season for me I hope everyone that is still waiting get theirs soon 😊🥳

    Reply
    5
  12. LostNthesauce

    1/29ner updated this morning to cycle 20241605 whatever that means!!! Top boxes filed out after 3:30 this morning

    Reply
    2
  13. Shelleybeansss

    @Shayla080612: that seems like you’re making progress if it’s stayed 0.00

    Reply
  14. Shayla080612

    Account Status
    Total Amount Owed as of April 16, 2024:
    $0.00
    View Balance Details

    My account status updated to this on Monday it usually would say a notification on there does that means I will get a date

    Reply
  15. Iwantitnow

    I’m still here too! Filed 1/17. Amended 3/9. Contacted Congressman and now still waiting…..

    Reply
    1
  16. P

    @LolliPop: Me the same

    Reply
  17. Kendrick

    If I filed the same way with the same dependents all my life, why would the IRS give me an IP PIN all of a sudden?

    Reply
    1
  18. Holmes

    Who filed on Turbo Tax last week and have their DDD?

    Reply
  19. LolliPop

    My as of date of April 8 has come and gone.
    No updates… transcripts blank
    No letters or codes.
    Now what?
    Hurry up and wait I guess.

    Reply
    2
  20. Harry a

    Day 78 no changes

    Reply
    3
  21. Kendrick

    @Need an answer: ip pin will show that’s it was you who filed your tax , it’s a protection pin so nobody can file your tax behind your back

    Reply
  22. Shelleybeansss

    @Erik: there are ppl that ID verified in feb that don’t have their refund yet. There is no timeline for direct deposit after verification

    Reply
    3
  23. Johnny12

    Did anyone update on WMR today?

    Reply
  24. Jen

    @Erik: The old way used to be two weeks of waiting now I hear people have been waiting six weeks before receiving their refund

    Reply
    3
  25. Not in a rush-but kinda

    Just spoke with a TA. Advised, can not do anything until June…UNLESS I get congressman involved.

    Done.

    Now I wait.

    Reply
    1
  26. 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!

    @Chosen One:
    WE ALL NEED HELP !!!!!!

    Reply
    5
  27. 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!

    @Katelyn: I verified ID
    3/5/2024
    still waiting on ANY movement

    Reply
    1
  28. 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!

    @Shelleybeansss: Thank you!! Same to you, I know……….
    Thanks to everyone for always trying to be hopeful with me 🙏🏼❤️

    Reply
    5
  29. Katelyn

    How long after u did your ID verification, did you receive your DDD??

    Reply
  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!

    @Need an aswer:
    Sorry, but it’s just another newly found way for giving another obstacle to us

    Reply
  31. Shelleybeansss

    @Jacky_FL: oh no! I’m so sorry. Hopefully things turn around quickly for you. My kids n I are just one check away from the same situation.

    Reply
    2
  32. Need an aswer

    Why does a person need an IP PIN after several years of filing the same way?

    Reply
    1
  33. 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!

    ID verification 3/5/2024

    I was denied TA.
    I have been evicted with minor child 4/15/2024

    Reply
  34. John Doe

    I hope and pray everything is going well for everyone and you have your money or it’s on the way! ,

    Reply
    2
  35. Need an answer

    Why would a person need an IP PIN if they filed the same way, with the same dependents, evey year?

    Reply
    1
  36. Kim

    @Shelleybeansss: Thank you!🙏🙏

    Reply
    1
  37. Shelleybeansss

    @TisTheSeasonOfTorture: I hope so. I’m an 05 as well. I wasn’t expecting anything to be different today. Hoping more movement over the next 48 hours

    Reply
    5
  38. Shelleybeansss

    @Kim: I believe it will get rejected and then the IRS mails a check. I think that can take a couple weeks but not completely sure on the timeline

    Reply
    3
  39. Shelleybeansss

    @Helpp: I think you have three years

    Reply
    2
  40. Ken

    Who is still waiting for an update on WMR?

    Reply
    2