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
42,527 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. harrya

    @Waiting…: filed 2/01 on day 178 now

    Reply
    1
  2. Waiting…

    @harrya: what date did u File and How many days did u wait Total?

    Reply
  3. Sunflower173

    @harrya Congratulations 🎊 🎉👏

    Reply
  4. Jacky_FL
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-23
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Bank
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-24
    • Transcript:
      No Access
    • Cycle Code:
      2024-1205
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Jun-3
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Eddleman23: omg 😳

    Reply
    2
  5. Eddleman23

    @Jacky_FL not logged in: just a letter from my tax advocate nothing special.. oct 16 worst case is what it says 😭😭😭😭😭

    Reply
    1
  6. harrya

    @shelleybeanss: Thanks we will see

    Reply
    1
  7. Eddleman23

    @Jacky_FL not logged in: I’ll let you know! I’m hoping it’s a little good news I doubt it’s a check since I don’t have an 846 code yet but ya never know lol

    Reply
    1
  8. Eddleman23

    @harrya: congrats!!! This gives me hope!

    Reply
    1
  9. harrya

    @Leelee91: not on wmr dont know what time just checked trans 1 o clock

    Reply
    1
  10. Leelee91

    @harrya: what time did it show up

    Reply
  11. shelleybeanss
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-13
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      CK
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-22
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      05
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Mar-3
    • Processing Date:
      Mar-3
    • I Got My Refund!

    @harrya: congrats!!! Happy to see someone see some good news today

    Reply
    2
  12. Jacky_FL
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-23
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Bank
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-24
    • Transcript:
      No Access
    • Cycle Code:
      2024-1205
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Jun-3
    • I Got My Refund!

    @harrya: Congratulations 🎉

    Reply
  13. harrya

    My friends just got ddd 7/31 with interest il believe it when the green is in my hand, good luck to all dont give up i will still be on daily

    Reply
    9
  14. Jacky_FL not logged in

    @EDDLEMAN23: just a darn letter, no check? I’m waiting to hear from you what the letter says

    Reply
  15. EDDLEMAN23

    After almost 6 months I am just now getting a letter in the mail wtf….

    Reply
    1
  16. Unmitigated_Gall

    @shelleybeanss:
    In this thread of msgs a few months back. i wrote that one day i went to sign in to IRS and it advised me to change my password as it may have been compromised
    In a data leak

    Reply
    3
  17. harrya

    I have seen a lot of stupidity in my life but this last 6 months of irs bs they get the gold medal

    Reply
    6
  18. shelleybeanss
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-13
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      CK
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-22
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      05
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Mar-3
    • Processing Date:
      Mar-3
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Leeloo: it really is starting to feel like the updates to the system lost some of our information. I wouldn’t be surprised if in a year or two there’s a revelation that the system was compromised causing these significant issues

    Reply
    1
  19. Leeloo

    Letter #2
    I need to call and verify everything on tax return and last years return over the phone….
    Oh ok.
    ???????
    Then it will take up to 9 wks after verifying .
    Simple 1040
    Semi retired
    Small refund
    Same address for over 35 yrs.

    Just shaking my head… I have no more words…

    Reply
    5
  20. shelleybeanss
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-13
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      CK
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-22
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      05
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Mar-3
    • Processing Date:
      Mar-3
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Cynderelly: you can try to call but I can’t guarantee they have any answers. My 570 popped up in March and still no resolution. And every 60 day notice is actually 120 days.

    Reply
    2
  21. Cynderelly

    I’ve received a 507 on 05/13/2024 and it says account pending what’s does that mean cuz it’s been 70 days now and I’ve heard nothing from them what can I do??

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

    @Jacky_FL: gm :) it definitely isn’t a celebration :( it’s all absurd.

    Reply
    1
  23. Jacky_FL
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-23
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Bank
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-24
    • Transcript:
      No Access
    • Cycle Code:
      2024-1205
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Jun-3
    • I Got My Refund!

    @shelleybeanss: GM friend 😊!
    You+I=6 months IRS mess since acceptance. This is not a celebratory anniversary
    🤬
    Shame on you ‘government’ ppl – you get paid wayy too much for doing nothing.

    Reply
    4
  24. harrya

    day 176 no changes congress now has my case 24 days

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

    @Jimjoness: I don’t see any change but have noticed any changes that have taken place since about May tend to be mid or late day. I don’t think they’re updating overnight anymore. But I could be wrong

    Reply
    1
  26. Jimjoness

    Has anyone updated?

    Reply
    1
  27. harrya

    day 175 wmr says to many attempts they really updated their system well

    Reply
    3
  28. harrya

    day 174 no changes

    Reply
    5
  29. Jennyb

    Day 123455532579753666 and still don’t know what’s going on!!

    Reply
    6

    Do I Frank Fisher truly have a refund from the IRS.

    Reply
    3
  30. shelleybeanss
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-13
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      CK
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-22
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      05
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Mar-3
    • Processing Date:
      Mar-3
    • I Got My Refund!

    In regards to the 60 days listed on all their letters I was told they all should state 120 days. I don’t know why they don’t just update the template for the letters if that’s the case. But I was informed by a few agents and the congressman office, the 60 actually means 120 :/

    Reply
    2
  31. Dj

    Days 164 as I was told I received another 60day letter that ends June 7 that should end in Sept but really it ends in August 🤦🏼‍♀️ I never received another letter dont know why they have a different lie each call

    Reply
    2
  32. harrya

    day 173 and transcripts are unavailable

    Reply
    1
  33. Ryan in Atlanta

    Day 183 still nothing. Wtf

    Reply
    3
  34. harrya

    day 172 no changes

    Reply
    4
  35. shelleybeanss
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-13
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      CK
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-22
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      05
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Mar-3
    • Processing Date:
      Mar-3
    • I Got My Refund!

    @harrya: I’m hoping that actually won’t be required. Two places I worked for last year seasonally only allowed me access to my w2 online until end of February. The systems no longer allow me to access. I cannot fathom having to call them and request paper copies at this point. With the timeframe on today’s letter being an additional 120 days, that’s November. Just keep it at that point

    Reply
    1
  36. harrya

    @shelleybeanss: i have had 3 letters all saying i need to do nothing ,but when congressman and tax advocate got involved then they needed proof of w2 and letter from my wife’s employer and that was 19 days ago

    Reply
    3
  37. Leelee91

    @shelleybeanss: it’s diabolical.

    Reply
    3
  38. shelleybeanss
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-13
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      CK
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-22
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      05
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Mar-3
    • Processing Date:
      Mar-3
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Leelee91: so incredibly vague with no helpful information in the letter 😂 useless

    Reply
    2
  39. Leelee91

    @shelleybeanss: I got that same one yesterday.

    Reply
    1