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

    @harrya: me too again but i only checked it once

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

    @harrya: me either

    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!

    @Jacky_FL: holy geebus. Your transcript is just showing up? Wow. No other words. Just wow

    Reply
    1
  4. 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!

    ✌🏼
    Finally got a transcript. My return was confirmed by Free tax accepted by IRS in January.
    Transcript shows
    150 filed 4/8

    Those cheating bastards 🤬

    Reply
    3
  5. 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!

    Current message on irs account page:

    Limited Account Access Due to System Maintenance
    Some services are undergoing maintenance and may be temporarily unavailable. For full access to your account, please come back on Sunday at 6 a.m. Eastern time.

    You can still:
    Get a copy of your latest tax return transcript
    Make a payment
    View your notices and letters

    Reply
    1
  6. Eddleman23

    Well to week 19 I go….. ughhh

    Reply
    1
  7. 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!

    Last night around 10 or 11 as of changed yet again to July 15 for this year and last. Just beyond random. Stop changing the dates and just do what you’re gonna do to it so I can get my 💰

    Reply
    3
  8. harrya

    150 days of bs

    Reply
  9. harrya

    No more tt for me

    Reply
    2
  10. Jennyb

    @Leeloo: 🙋‍♀️

    Reply
    3
  11. 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!

    @Leeloo: TT can def kiss my arse. Never again!!

    Reply
    1
  12. Leeloo

    Polling:

    If you filed with Turno Tax and still waiting , raise your hand ….
    🙋‍♀️

    Reply
    2
  13. 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!

    @Leeloo: I definitely agree, it’s hard to see any light at the end of the tunnel

    Reply
    1
  14. Leeloo

    @shelleybeanss:
    Lololol
    How many times this year have we all thought we were close to getting processed and then the great stall .
    lol not holding my breath for sure.

    Reply
    4
  15. harrya

    Mine just was 7/01 now 6/24 last years 7/01 they just playing games

    Reply
    2
  16. 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!

    As of’s have bounced back to May 6 for this year, July 1, 2024 for last year, and all previous years gone back to their original dates. Third day in a row that theyve bounced around

    Reply
    2
  17. 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!

    @harrya: it truly is starting to feel personal

    Reply
    1
  18. harrya

    @shelleybeanss: They dont like you and me

    Reply
    1
  19. 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!

    @harrya: did that to me yesterday all day. Never logged in yesterday. Almost like the system never updated from previous day. Finally allowed me back in this morning only to still see the “we apologize” message still :/

    Reply
    1
  20. harrya

    All day wmr wont let me go on says to many attempts

    Reply
    1
  21. Rob

    Last year I did my taxes and later received a letter asking me to verify through ID.me. I did just that and the gentlemen said I was all set/verified. Never received anything. This year I also did my taxes and received a letter 4883c, I kept calling for about 2 months until I was able to verify my identity and the IRS lady also confirmed last year’s( Even though I had called and confirmed…) and approved it along with this year’s tax return. She then said one of them should come by check(had a different bank account then) and the other by direct deposit and it would take up to 9 weeks. Its been about 2ish weeks and it still says return is being processed, no updates, no aything. Should I just wait? Or what was your experience with this?

    Reply
    1
  22. 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!

    @Leeloo: somethins happen out seems for you

    Reply
  23. Eddleman23

    @Trice: I hope so, and can I just say that I hate being a weekly? It’s torture 😫 😂😂

    Reply
    3
  24. Leeloo

    No changes today..
    but my WMR has cleared the alert box and saying this…

    “We have reviewed your return and any information we may have requested from you and are now processing your return. Any changes to the status of your refund, including any new refund date, will be reflected here when any new update is available”

    🙇‍♀️🤷‍♀️

    Reply
    1
  25. Trice

    @Eddleman23: I second that lol… hopefully tomorrow will finally be our day!!!

    Reply
    3
  26. Eddleman23

    I just want my MONNEEEYYYY!!! UGH

    Reply
    9
  27. harrya

    @Leeloo: Ya but nothing changes except the date

    Reply
    1
  28. Leeloo

    Read this today ….

    Why Do ‘As Of’ Dates Change?
    The reason that you may notice that the ‘as of’ date on your account transcript has changed, is that this date is automatically configured by the system when a change is made to your account. Any time that takes an action on your account, whether they make an update or change, you may notice this date has been updated to allow more time to take action before the deadline.

    Reply
    2
  29. VaMom

    I got the as of 7/1 updates as well. No other changes.

    Reply
    2
  30. Trice

    @harrya: Mines did the same thing.. I’m hoping this means we will get our refund soon!

    Reply
    4
  31. Eddleman23

    Idk what it means with the as of dates bouncing around but mine aren’t doing what yalls are doing lol WHAT DOES THIS ALL MEAN!!! 😂

    Reply
    1
  32. 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!

    Nothing today. Yesterday 2017-2023 all changed to 7/1/24 as of

    Reply
    3
  33. harrya

    My transcript as of dates this year and last year are july 01 2024 all other years are june 22 2022 wtf are they doing

    Reply
    2
  34. harrya

    148 days im tired

    Reply
    2
  35. Bm2958

    @Leeloo: As of date July 15 for 2019 to 2023. Already got my tax refund in March. I just check it periodically out of curiosity.

    2020 changed to July 8 last Friday, then all changed to July 15 today.

    My theory is this has to do with my living within a declared FEMA disaster area and the tax situation accommodations for those living within affected counties. I could be wrong. Just a theory.

    Reply
    3
  36. Leeloo

    @Leeloo: now back to July 15
    It’s a conjuring trick!

    Reply
  37. Lolee143

    My as of date is still what is has been for a while but now 2020-2023 all show the same as of date? Does that mean something?

    Reply
  38. 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!

    @AvaG: I’ve seen some say it can take a week or more. My son got his by check and it was mailed on a Friday and arrived here the following Monday

    Reply
    1
  39. AvaG

    How long does it take to receive your refund by mail. I signed up for direct deposit and unfortunately WMR said something like my refund is schedule to be mailed by 6/24/24

    Reply
    1
  40. Jennyb

    Damn my as of date finally changed from 4/29 to 7/8. Something FINALLY!!

    Reply
    6