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
49,269 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. Louielou

    Notice CP21B

    Reply
    2
  2. Louielou

    Just received a letter in the mail! It states my refund amount and it says that I should receive a check in the next 2-3 weeks!!! All Glory to God! I don’t think it’ll actually take 2-3 weeks but even if it does Im just happy that it is coming. Wishing you all a speedy refund!

    Reply
    3
  3. Mary

    @Red Dawn Not sure what you mean? But would it help if I gave you the phone number and extension they gave me on the WMAR?

    Reply
    2
  4. Red Dawn
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-21
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Credit union
    • Bars:
      What Bars?
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-29

    The IRS update their automated system 😩now how do I get through

    Reply
    1
  5. Mary

    @Harry a I filed on 1/29 but amended on 2/20 stayed stuck on 3/18 as of date still stuck on that day today.

    Reply
    1
  6. 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!

    Just a heads up if anyone still waiting received an advance thru turbo tax, check your email. I’m not responding yet, but they’re requesting the advance be paid back since the return hasn’t processed yet

    Reply
  7. Harry a

    @Mary: what date did you file?

    Reply
  8. Shelleybeansss

    @Mary: yay! Finally!! Congrats! And hopefully some of that juju will rub off to the rest of us :)

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

    @Mary: yay so happy for you!

    Reply
  10. Mary

    UPDATE: Got a Take action notice on the WMAR site, freaked out then called the number provided and extension. After a 20 minute wait then a 5 minute hold I was told my return had finished processing on June 10 and is in the process of sending out a check could take 4 to 6 weeks. Don’t really think it will take that long, but we will wait and see. But I’m happy with knowing I’m thru processing.

    Reply
    6
  11. Harry a

    sent info to senator Blumenthal he’s the best he helped me before its my last shot

    Reply
    2
  12. Harry a

    Day 134, coming up to half a year the irs should be proud what hard working slugs

    Reply
    2
  13. LeeLoo

    So after ALL this time, the automated system informed me I would be getting one of their “infamous” letters in the mail in … drum roll please….. 2-3 weeks.
    Lololol🤪
    And to carefully follow all instructions.
    What a ripped up tax year
    Shameful .
    Good luck to all waiting.

    Reply
    3
  14. VaMom

    Has anyone received their refund after sending in supporting documents for the CP05A letter? If so how long did it take to receive your refund after you sent the documents? Sent my documents via online submission May 3 IRS told me today they opened a review case of the documents on May 6 and they are giving the general allow us up to 60 days but they did confirm they got the documents and started reviewing them.

    Reply
    1
  15. LeeLoo

    @Harry a: yay Harry!
    Hope the news spreads like a wildfire.

    Reply
  16. LeeLoo

    @Harry a: yay Harry!
    Hope the news spreads like a wildfire.

    Reply
  17. 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!

    @Harry a: Good luck Harry!
    I know, we all try to look for help everywhere. But imo it’s not in the news bc the gov owns the news stations and pays them with our refunds and the TAS-ppl

    Reply
    3
  18. 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!

    Just so tired… no info on what’s taking so long, just letter after letter saying they need an additional 60 days. Last rep I spoke to said to call back after June 17th if I didn’t have my refund. We will see

    Reply
    1
  19. Harry a

    Just sent story to my local news station i dont know what else to do called irs, called congressman ,tas not helping im lost

    Reply
    5
  20. Harry a

    Day 133 and nothing

    Reply
  21. Shelleybeansss

    @Lost in space: all the sketchy sites tryin to phish for info from ppl would be my guess

    Reply
  22. F.cktheIRS

    BACk Again 2/29 Filer
    Checked my Transcript today after 4 months it NOW shows N/A…..GREAT so now I can’t check my transcript at ALL hopefully a Date is coming WTBS😭

    Reply
    1
  23. Speak Out!

    Another letter..another 60 days..PROTEST….PROTEST…..PROTEST!!!!! REPORT NEWS. I WANT MY MONEY AND I WANT ANSWERS!!!!!

    Reply
    3
  24. Lost in space

    @Shelleybeansss: I was aware of that. Only passed House. Senate never took up the bill. I was just wondering why it’s been on Google trends so much if it’s only junk sites reporting it.

    Reply
  25. Shelleybeansss

    @Lost in space: it never passed Congress.

    Reply
  26. Lost in space

    What’s with Google continually showing 8700 irs stimulus. All the website links seem sketchy at best, but they all keep talking about approximately 360 per child starting June 15. 2024.

    Reply
  27. LeeLoo

    Im@Harry a: I’m in same boat no updates no codes no letters
    Just in limbo
    I used Tuebo Tax this year too.
    Hmmmmmmm

    Reply
    2
  28. RyanAtlanta

    I’m at 130+ days. Wmr has not updated since early February. Same message (Your return has been received and is being reviewed) No letters or changes on my transcript. They’re stuck with an 810 freeze code. Every time I call I get no clarification. This sucks. Any suggestions?

    Reply
    4
  29. Harry a

    Dont know if it matters but im on day132 , ill never use turbo tax again and ill never file early had congressman for about a month now not a word from tas no letters wanting any info this just has no explanation

    Reply
    3
  30. Peachy

    @Stillwaitingx: 6/12

    Reply
  31. Harry a

    day 131 no updates

    Reply
    5
  32. Stillwaitingx

    @Peachy: what date is your 846 code for?

    Reply
  33. Dj

    Well I hit my 120 mark yesterday with no movement or update on T.S guess I’ll be calling the Irs Monday morning
    Filed 1/29 As of date still 3/4 processing date 3/4
    60 day 4464c letter ended April 8 was told to wait 60 more days which ended yesterday June 7 but didn’t receive a letter telling me to do so now I’m on day 121

    Reply
    2
  34. Harry a

    Day 130 only change was other day as of date 6/24

    Reply
    1
  35. Harry a

    @Harry a: Sorry the good for you was for alabama

    Reply
  36. sgorham29
    • Tax Preparer:
      Other
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-29
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-29
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20240705
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Mar-4
    • Processing Date:
      Mar-4
    • Tax Refund Offset
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Peachy: Mine too!! no reversal for the 570 code just 846 and interest!!!!!!

    Reply
    5
  37. Peachy

    Filed 2/29. Transcripts appeared and sat with 570 since 3/7. No updates to wmr, still tax topic. No letters or verifications requested. Transcripts updated this morning with 846.

    Reply
    11
  38. Red Dawn
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-21
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Credit union
    • Bars:
      What Bars?
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-29

    No update here

    Reply
    3
  39. Harry a

    @Eddleman23: Thanks hoping they are processing

    Reply
  40. Harry a

    @Eddleman23: Good for you!

    Reply