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
49,270 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. Tracy H

    So I finally able to see my wages filled in for 2023 but my account transcript still has an as of date for 4/15/24. It’s been 60days. Does this mean I might be getting processed soon

    Reply
    1
  2. 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!

    @shelleybeanss: I didn’t mean to report your comment. Can we get the report comment and thumbs up separated PLEASE?!?

    And explanation would be great at this point. Keep us updated. 🤞 we’re close!

    Reply
    2
  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: same. My wage transcript filled out. No other movement. However I do have a letter from IRS in my informed delivery for today. Hoping it explains my 4 month wait. Hopefully we’re all a little closer

    Reply
    3
  4. 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!

    My wage and income trans updated over night. Still not 846, still 570 with 2/26. As of 5/6

    Reply
    2
  5. Harry a

    Day 118 the same

    Reply
  6. Harry a

    @Beth: I don’t think so we all are looking for some kind of answer

    Reply
    1
  7. PrinceAq

    @Beth: mine changed on 05/12 same as yours and still nothing has changed since

    Reply
    1
  8. Beth

    I have got a question. Does anyone know if there is a difference between the wmr saying “they are still processing your refund ” and “are processing your refund ” . Mind changed to the last quoted part last week.

    Reply
  9. Harry a

    I know its a holiday but 117 days and nothing

    Reply
    4
  10. Harry a

    I know its a holiday but day 117 with nothing

    Reply
    3
  11. Jenny b

    Yesterday made 60 days hope to hear something from the IRS this week. I know I know hopeful thinking! 😑

    Reply
    1
  12. 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!

    With the holiday I wouldn’t expect any movement until Wednesday at the earliest as Tuesday this week is their Monday

    Reply
    2
  13. Shelleybeansss

    @Curious??: that’s the default. No updates to accounts on Sundays

    Reply
  14. Shelleybeansss

    Just FYI, it always goes to 0.00 balance on Sundays. Accounts don’t update on Sundays. That’s the default for the system being down for updates to the site, not accounts

    Reply
    1
  15. Curious??

    @Harry a: Was able to see mine just now…No changes. But, my account balance still shows a $0 balance even after I refreshed it. Hopefully, that’s finally good news. F/A 1/24.

    Reply
    1
  16. Harry a

    @Curious??: Just checked mine says 0.00 balance owed transcript just keeps loading may they working on updates

    Reply
  17. Curious??

    7:33am EST and having issues on IRS acct. Can’t access my transcripts. Just keeps cycling when I click on blue link. However, my balance shows $0. Wondering if anyone else having problems?

    Reply
  18. Debbie O

    Filed our taxes 2/2/24 got 2 letter so far seems like everytime we call they add 60 more day so today it 5/25 and still nothing 8f we go by the Irs we’re looking August or later this is really ticking me off

    Reply
    3
  19. Eddleman23

    Monday starts week SIXTEEN!! 4 months… I’m OVER it.. been told numerous times to just wait everything is fine 🤔 injured spouse form/case was assigned APRIL 18TH!! Why is this taking soooo long!
    Just venting really but it’s extremely frustrating

    Reply
    3
  20. L HARRIS

    @Mary: Thank you

    Reply
  21. Unmitigated_Gall

    @Red Dawn: also have feb 19 for as of date . It was day the sent out letter saying nothings wrong just wait . No updates transcript or WMR just zeros and still processing
    . One day i went to check transcript and signed in. it then informed me of a data leak involving my info and to change pass word

    Reply
    1
  22. 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!

    No updated my as of was the 20th 🙃

    Reply
  23. 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!

    @Fed Up:
    Same. I verified 3/5.
    Still nothing

    Reply
  24. Shelleybeansss

    @Fed Up: honestly refund size is irrelevant. Timeframe could be a couple weeks to a few months. I’m shocked the letter doesn’t give a time frame. What is the letter? Like a 4464c or cp05? Check your transcripts to see what code they entered for the review. That will give far more insight into likely timeframe

    Reply
  25. Fed Up

    I received a review letter that says to do nothing I already verified my identity in April and filed at the end of January
    My WMR says “it is being processed”.

    The letter didn’t give me a time frame.
    How long is the wait?

    Reply
    1
  26. Fed Up

    How long do I have to wait for my return to be reviewed if they didn’t give me a time limit and I have a small refund and a simple return?

    Reply
  27. Harry a

    Day 115 no updates

    Reply
    1
  28. Shelleybeansss

    @Xi: what does that mean? IRS “cancelled” your taxes?

    Reply
  29. Xi

    They cancelled my account and said they were going to send me a check for 27$ and I never received it

    Reply
  30. PrinceAq

    @Red Dawn: same here no update. I heard it starts to update when it is 0230 am maybe until then fingers crossed 🤞

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

    No update 😞

    Reply
    1
  32. Mary

    @L HARRIS Oh I thought you had already requested another check. 5/17 is the date you gave which a Friday does mean a check is getting mailed. But usually doesnt take a week to get it, by Tuesday you need to call and ask for a trace.

    Reply
  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!

    @NYGal: When did you file?

    Reply
  34. ShantayG

    Reached my 60day mark. Called IRS and was told to call 855-873-2100 for them to assist with my tax return. Smh

    Reply
    1
  35. L HARRIS

    @Mary: Do you know how long I would have wait to request a reissue? Do you think it could be changed to DD being that I updated my bank account information in my online account with the IRS?

    Reply
  36. Mary

    @L HARRIS it can take up to 3 weeks for a reissue, but usually it doesnt take more than 2 weeks

    Reply
  37. L HARRIS

    Hi All,
    Anyone know how long I would have to wait to have my refund check reissued? Check dated for 5-17 and still nothing from USPS.

    Reply
    2
  38. Harry a

    day 114 and nothing to report

    Reply
    2
  39. Shelleybeansss

    On to another week :/

    Reply
    2
  40. 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!

    @NYGal: Congratulations 🎉
    Some ppl have had this yr similar surprises with these weird days/ dates far out or changed the cycle day.
    I hope you’re fine!

    Reply
    2