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
49,358 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. Sheila_33
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-9
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Bluebird
    • Bars:
      No Bars-PATH Act Message
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-17
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-16
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-16
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      04
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • As of:
      Feb-10
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-19
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Amy19: I think you and some others were unpostable.

    Reply
  2. Walter DOG
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Netspend
    • Bars:
      No Bars-PATH Act Message
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-19
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      05
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Feb-20
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Sheila_33: does the as of Feb 20 2023 mean it won’t finish until next week

    Reply
    1
  3. Sheila_33
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-9
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Bluebird
    • Bars:
      No Bars-PATH Act Message
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-17
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-16
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-16
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      04
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • As of:
      Feb-10
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-19
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Walt DOG: Any movement is good. Give it some time.

    Reply
  4. Walter DOG
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Netspend
    • Bars:
      No Bars-PATH Act Message
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-19
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      05
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Feb-20
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Amy19: what’s your as of date

    Reply
  5. 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!

    @Sheila_33: I know! Thank you. I was thinking it might be 2020 all over again. Did you ever figure out what was going on then? Our return just sat for months, then it processed exact amount, no letters sent.

    Reply
  6. Walter DOG
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Netspend
    • Bars:
      No Bars-PATH Act Message
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-19
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      05
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Feb-20
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Amy19: thank you

    Reply
  7. DebMom
    • Tax Preparer:
      Other
    • Date Filed:
      Feb-3
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Varo
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Feb-3
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-14
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-20
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20250705
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Feb-24
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-14
    • I Got My Refund!

    @lilred44 (15th): WMR will update tomorrow

    Reply
  8. Walter DOG
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Netspend
    • Bars:
      No Bars-PATH Act Message
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-19
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      05
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Feb-20
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Sheila_33: my name is on it and as of date Feb 2023 what you think

    Reply
  9. Sheila_33
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-9
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Bluebird
    • Bars:
      No Bars-PATH Act Message
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-17
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-16
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-16
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      04
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • As of:
      Feb-10
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-19
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Walterdog: Making progress. Let’s hope they finish off

    Reply
  10. 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!

    @Walterdog: Wage had 2022 but when I opened it it said no return on file. All other 3 were NA.

    Reply
  11. Jenny04

    @Sheila_33: last year I was a weekly so most likely a weekly this year lol I was a 05 last year I think. Always missing cut offs lol

    Reply
  12. Sheila_33
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-9
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Bluebird
    • Bars:
      No Bars-PATH Act Message
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-17
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-16
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-16
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      04
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • As of:
      Feb-10
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-19
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Jenny04: I’m not answering fast enough for you am I? 🤣 See below. Giving me trouble and you just got here lol. 🤗

    Reply
    1
  13. Walterdog

    @Sheila_33: Hey Sheila I just checked my transcripts and my account 2022 is there it’s not blank but not all the way filled in my name not there yet and income and other two are still NA

    Reply
  14. Sheila_33
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-9
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Bluebird
    • Bars:
      No Bars-PATH Act Message
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-17
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-16
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-16
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      04
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • As of:
      Feb-10
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-19
    • I Got My Refund!

    @lilred44 (15th): Transcripts may update into the evening tonight hopefully.

    Reply
    1
  15. Jenny04

    Sheila_33: hey lady, since I filed 02/01/23 when should I see any kind of movement on my taxes? I have the EIC and the CTC on mine??? Would I have to wait till the 15th to see anything??

    Reply
  16. Lisa in buffalo

    @Janel120: I am

    Reply
  17. Sheila_33
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-9
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Bluebird
    • Bars:
      No Bars-PATH Act Message
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-17
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-16
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-16
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      04
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • As of:
      Feb-10
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-19
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Jenny04: Weekly or daily hun? I can’t remember. If you’re a weekly, you missed the cut off and it will most likely be next Friday to update.

    Reply
  18. Sheila_33
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-9
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Bluebird
    • Bars:
      No Bars-PATH Act Message
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-17
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-16
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-16
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      04
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • As of:
      Feb-10
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-19
    • I Got My Refund!

    @@justlikestealing: Bradys spot is up for grabs lol. Go for it! I’ll root for you.

    Reply
  19. Walterdog

    @Sheila_33: thank you Sheila

    Reply
  20. Sheila_33
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-9
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Bluebird
    • Bars:
      No Bars-PATH Act Message
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-17
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-16
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-16
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      04
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • As of:
      Feb-10
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-19
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Niki: The cycle code is what determines your processing but an 05 can be a daily or a weekly.

    Reply
    1
  21. lilred44 (15th)
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-25
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Chime
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-25
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      2023/06/02
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • As of:
      Feb-20
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-8
    • I Got My Refund!

    There is an update tonight correct? I haven’t updated yet and I filed and was accepted on 1/25

    Reply
  22. Sheila_33
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-9
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Bluebird
    • Bars:
      No Bars-PATH Act Message
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-17
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-16
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-16
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      04
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • As of:
      Feb-10
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-19
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Walter DOG: I’ve seen them update into the evening so I’m not going to say their finished.

    Reply
  23. Rose222

    @Sheila_33: Thanks so much!

    Reply
  24. Walterdog

    @Amy19: was all your transcripts NA at 8 or just account transcript

    Reply
  25. Sheila_33
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-9
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Bluebird
    • Bars:
      No Bars-PATH Act Message
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-17
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-16
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-16
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      04
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • As of:
      Feb-10
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-19
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Maricela: The 150 means your return was received. When the hold lifts you’ll process thru again and place the 846. The as of date pushed out because it was trying to place the 846 but it can’t until after Feb. 15th so it snapped back to the original date.

    Reply
  26. Janel120
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-31
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Netspend
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-31
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-19
    • I Got My Refund!

    Is anyone in this position the account transcript populated but is blank and the top two is N/A.

    Reply
    3
  27. Walterdog

    @Sheila_33: what time transcripts update to

    Reply
  28. Sheila_33
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-9
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Bluebird
    • Bars:
      No Bars-PATH Act Message
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-17
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-16
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-16
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      04
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • As of:
      Feb-10
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-19
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Rose222: The 846 would have your refund date unless you’re held by the path lae. That as of date is just there to make sure you’re finished up by then. And it will change again when the 846 posts.

    Reply
  29. Jenny04

    Shelia_33: hey lady, since I filed 02/01/23 when should I see any kind of movement on my taxes? I have the EIC and the CTC on mine??? Would I have to wait till the 15th to see anything??

    Reply
  30. Sheila_33
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-9
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Bluebird
    • Bars:
      No Bars-PATH Act Message
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-17
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-16
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-16
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      04
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • As of:
      Feb-10
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-19
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Amy19: That is wonderful! I’m so happy to hear it. It’s about time you had an easy year. 🤗

    Reply
  31. Walterdog

    @Sheila_33: what time you think transcripts stop updating today or are they done updating

    Reply
  32. 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!

    @Sheila_33: I decided to check again after seeing so many updates…..0505! It was NA at 8am, no idea what time it actually changed but I am smiling! No 846, waiting for the PATH to lift like so many others. This is the second 05 in a row, still assuming it is a daily not weekly but who knows with the IRS. 05, 04, 05, 03, 05 and 05 today. Thanks for helping.

    Reply
  33. Kpoppi

    In 2013 I had a small offset for $55 lol. Ever since then I have been a weekly. Will I ever go back to daily? Or it’s over for me lol

    Reply
  34. Rose222

    Hello. I am a bit confused with the codes.. My cycle date is 20230505 and the date next to it is 2/20/23. Does this mean I will receive my DD on 2/20? It also says “processing date 2/20/23”. Please excuse my ignorance.

    Reply
  35. Mike
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-21
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Citizens bank
    • Bars:
      2nd Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-23
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-3
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-8
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20230505
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Feb-13
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-3
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Leeleebaby: it pushed to next week I had as of 2/13 it processed this morning

    Reply
    1
  36. maricela

    question on transcripts I have code 150-tax return filled cycle 20230405 2/13/2023 Amount $0 what does that mean? I also have code 806 766 768 with all – amounts. my wmr has path message , Is all this code stuff to receive code 846 my as of date change from 2/13 then this morning 2/20 and now 2/13

    Reply
    1
  37. Brittmj

    Ca filed with TurboTax 1/30/2023 looked at transcripts today and it says refund issue date 2/8/2023. State has also been approved.

    Reply
    1
  38. Walter DOG
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Netspend
    • Bars:
      No Bars-PATH Act Message
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-19
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      05
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Feb-20
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Sheila_33: what time you think transcripts are done updating today

    Reply
  39. Niki
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-29
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Bank Of America
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-29
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-23
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20230505
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Feb-20
    • Tax Refund Offset
    • I Got My Refund!

    If we were processed with code 150. Does that mean are DDD 02-2023? My cycle number is 20230505 am I weekly or daily? I can’t tell.

    Reply
  40. Walter DOG
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Netspend
    • Bars:
      No Bars-PATH Act Message
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-19
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      05
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Feb-20
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Sheila_33: thanks Sheila hope yours and yours are doing well this is stressful I think I need a spa

    Reply