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
49,353 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. Denise N
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-27
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Chime
    • Bars:
      2nd Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-27
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-21
    • WMR Date:
      Jan-1
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20250605
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Mar-3
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-24
    • I Got My Refund!

    @PleaseRespond: someone will always help when they get a chance to reply

    Reply
    1
  2. Denise N
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-27
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Chime
    • Bars:
      2nd Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-27
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-21
    • WMR Date:
      Jan-1
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20250605
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Mar-3
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-24
    • I Got My Refund!

    @toolate: I don’t think so and if they do you’ll be penalized

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

    @Shelleybeansss: i do appreciate this site and all the info ive gotten here. if i ever get my refund i was planning on a donation

    Reply
    1
  4. Shelleybeansss

    @PleaseRespond: not likely if it has to go thru the third party first. Usually day of direct deposit date

    Reply
  5. Shelleybeansss

    @toolate: it will just be considered late if you don’t request an extension

    Reply
  6. Shelleybeansss

    @PleaseRespond: I think most people that aren’t moderators have gone for the year. So there’s not many of us left. The mods are here throughout the day when they’re not working or busy with their own lives.

    Reply
    2
  7. nick

    Anyone else waiting on a refund for a tax return filed in the first half of March?

    Reply
    1
  8. PleaseRespond

    So do you guys just like stop helping people with responses after you get yours?

    Reply
    1
  9. toolate

    Is the IRS still accepting tax returns ?

    Reply
    1
  10. PleaseRespond

    Date is 4/24 could I receive it today with a bank 2 days early if it has to go through sbtpg first

    Reply
    1
  11. Mary

    @Please Answer I don’t see any issues yet you are within the processing timeline.

    Reply
    1
  12. Please Answer

    If my return was accepted on the 14th and my transcripts are blank, should i be okay?

    Reply
    1
  13. thereisstillhope

    I hope everyone has their refund or will have their refund soon! Crossing my fingers for everyone!

    Reply
    5
  14. curious

    Why would I need an ip pin after all these years of filling the same address, same job, and same dependents?

    Reply
    1
  15. Denise N.

    @helppp: 60 day review letter

    Reply
  16. Mary

    @Please Answer You might get an update on transcripts tomorrow or on Friday.

    Reply
  17. Please Answer

    Transcripts are empty and i was accepted April 14th. MY WMR says “still being processed” after it first said “it is being processed”. I successfully verified my identity with my ip pin online.

    Any hope for me?

    Reply
  18. Mary

    @Red Dawn I have been following you. We had a similar situation I amended my return on 2/20 and nothing my as of date hasnt changed since3/18.

    Reply
    1
  19. helppp

    What could be in my mailbox from the IRS if i opened an IDME account and verified my identity online?

    Reply
  20. Denise N.

    No update yet it’s still on today’s date

    Reply
    1
  21. Denise N.

    @Amy19: yes is today and I don’t want to see any more date extensions it’s changed 5 times

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

    What’s the soonest you anyone has gotten their amended return processed and gotten their refund? 🥹

    Reply
  23. Harry a

    Called ta just now was no help at all all she did is transfer me to irs

    Reply
    1
  24. Dj

    @Amy19: I been doing taxes for 5 years now when I say all are completed I mean that the return transcript and Account Transcript is filled in. I’m just missing my 846 and yes I talked to a live person April 17, 2024 who told me they were completed April 15, 2024 and to be checking my WMR for a date. If it wasn’t completed It would say no return filed or I wouldn’t see anything at all. I can see my whole return amount of 0,000 (its not 0 I’m just not posting my amount ) my as of day just changed on 3/4/24 to 3/4/24 All the codes I need are on there so I’m just waiting for my 846 code Most people don’t have access to their T.As online so everyone cant go off a 846 they will have to wait on WMR to update. Are you a IRS Worker?

    Reply
  25. Shelleybeansss

    @Please Answer: yes

    Reply
  26. Please Answer

    If I have an account with IDME, can I use that to view my transcripts online?

    Reply
    1
  27. Amy19
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-29
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20240605
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • As of:
      Mar-4
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Denise N: If your as of date is today, it means they need to work on your return or extend the date out again. Hopefully it is completed today.

    Reply
    1
  28. Amy19
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-29
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20240605
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • As of:
      Mar-4
    • I Got My Refund!

    @shelleybeanss: It’s good that your as of date moved out to 5/6. As of dates that are stuck need to be manually processed to get moving again. Hopefully yours processes before May 6th with your 846. It is so stinking stressful waiting. I did a few years ago and it rotted beyond words, I don’t even like thinking about it now. Hang in there!

    Reply
    1
  29. Amy19
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-29
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20240605
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • As of:
      Mar-4
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Harry a: That sounds like a standard review. Hopefully they process it soon. I’d keep checking your transcripts and call weekly. It’s ridiculous how long you have been in limbo.

    Reply
  30. Denise N
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-27
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Chime
    • Bars:
      2nd Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-27
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-21
    • WMR Date:
      Jan-1
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20250605
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Mar-3
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-24
    • I Got My Refund!

    Today is my as of date so I don’t know whether to expect something tonight or Friday

    Reply
    1
  31. Moneyonmymind

    Date is 4/24 could I receive it today with a bank 2 days early if it has to go through sbtpg first

    Reply
  32. Harry a

    @Amy19: Hi i called irs weeks ago guy said my return looks fine i have college credit and eitc which he said there was a lot of fraud the last few years so they are verifying w2 s and other info , but 82 days i need the money im on soc sec and putting my daughter through college same return as last 3 years

    Reply
    2
  33. 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!

    Almost at the 90 days since filing, 61 since 4464c letter. As of updated to 5/6 last Wednesday. I’m a weekly. Processing still sitting at 3/4. 507 0.00 3/4. No 971. TAs are useless until June. I’m in Florida so local congressional office is also useless. So just sitting here still waiting. Filed my sons for him 10 days ago, his paper check is in USPS informed delivery today. Insanity this year

    Reply
    3
  34. Amy19
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-29
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20240605
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • As of:
      Mar-4
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Harry a: Besides being stuck and under a review, has the IRS given any clue as to the hold up? Have you tried your congress office? Tax advocate? Local IRS office? I am assuming you tried all of these. It rots you are still waiting.

    Reply
    1
  35. Amy19
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-29
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20240605
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • As of:
      Mar-4
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Dj: When you say your transcripts are complete, is there an 846? If not, they are not complete. If there is an 846, what is the date next to it? That is the direct deposit date or the check mailing date. If you were told verbally by an IRS agent that your return is complete, that is not the same as an actual 846 and funds released.

    Reply
  36. Mariah

    @424date:

    Do you have prepaid card or regular bank card that’s it’s going in ?

    Reply
  37. Harry a

    Day 82 here

    Reply
    2
  38. Jane Doe

    @424date: It’s possible!

    Reply
  39. 424date

    If my DD is 4/24 do you think I will get it tomorrow?

    Reply
  40. Dj

    on day 73 still no movement after talking to the IRS and hearing it was completed on April 15 all T.S are complete. IM stuck with code 570 dated 3/4

    Reply
    1