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
49,356 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. HereIgoAgain2024

    So Am I the only one who paid $50 for refund 5 days sooner with TT??? Anyone else??? How does that work if Im a Pather ?

    Thanks

    Reply
    1
  2. ErisedMai
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-12
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Chime

    @Grayson84!!!: Without WMR updating yes, without transcripts updating no.

    Reply
    1
  3. Snaps

    Submitted TT 1/24 @ 430P EST.
    WMR 1/27 @ 9A EST no info – TT “in process”
    WMR 1/27 @ 10:20A 1 bar – TT “in process”.
    TT @ 1PM – “in process”. Checked CK app and advance had paid out 20 minutes before hand.
    TT @ 4PM – “accepted”

    Reply
    2
  4. Grayson84!!!

    Sorry If this was already asked and I missed it, but if you are weekly, is there a chance you can still get your refund prior to WMR and your transcript updating to reflect the DDD?

    The last time I was weekly (like I am this year), I vaguely remember this happening to me.

    Thanks!!!!

    Reply
    1
  5. Kjammer09

    @TXBAMA: well dang! 1st time I’ve used TT in a while. Kinda regretting it though now lol. I’ve never had it taken this long. It’s ALWAYS been accepted in less than an hour!

    Reply
  6. Ineedmy$$now
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-24
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Credit Karma
    • Bars:
      What Bars?

    @TXBAMA: 2 days after irs opened?

    Reply
  7. TXBAMA

    @Ineedmy$$now: Hi, last year it took 2 days for my return to be accepted. I filed with TT. That was the first time it ever took so long.

    Reply
  8. Kjammer09

    @Ineedmy$$now: yep. Well update us when something happens :)

    Reply
    1
  9. naughtyrockets

    @BostonPi103: Did this happen during the day today?

    Reply
  10. BostonPi103

    WMR 2nd Bar now, Direct Deposit date of 1/28!

    Reply
    9
  11. Ineedmy$$now
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-24
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Credit Karma
    • Bars:
      What Bars?

    @Kjammer09: I’ll just wait it out

    Reply
  12. Kjammer09

    @Mike Hunt: lo NO you didn’t bahaha

    Reply
    1
  13. Naybo

    Hello everyone did anyone receive a letter stating Your Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) claim might be invalid?

    Reply
  14. Kjammer09

    @Ineedmy$$now: hurry, go file elsewhere since it hasn’t been accepted. Maybe TT is dropping ne ball. Go to another place that’s offering the advance. If it’s accepts soon after then they will just not accept from TT when and if it goes through

    Reply
  15. Kjammer09

    @Fe: I heard TT can take hours to update to what wmr reflects . Odd that it’s like that. Shouldn’t be

    Reply
    1
  16. Kjammer09

    @Fettsy: lol gooooo you!

    Reply
  17. Fe

    @*Queen*: I filed with TT and was accepted by IRS 3 hours ago and TT still saying pending as well.

    Reply
  18. Kjammer09

    @Ineedmy$$now: yep not sure what’s going on. Idk why every year I hear of so many TT horror stories and inconsistencies. I should have just filed JH but I said heck no to the amount they charge!

    Reply
  19. Fettsy

    I got lucky and in test batch (first time ever). Filed on 1/17, refund 846 code for 1/29. Woot woot. Hoping others get lucky too!!

    Reply
    4
  20. Mommy_3
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-19
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Go2Bank
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-21
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      202050505
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Feb-10
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-17
    • I Got My Refund!

    Man I’m looking at the Refund Cycle Chart and for PATH that thing says direct deposits start 2/24 lmao!!!!
    SO messed up lol……I don’t even need to log back in for dang near another month!

    Reply
    5
  21. Ineedmy$$now
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-24
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Credit Karma
    • Bars:
      What Bars?

    @*Queen*: sammeeee

    Reply
  22. *Queen*

    Filed on 1/24 thru TT. Still waiting on acceptance. All it shows is pending wtf

    Reply
  23. Ineedmy$$now
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-24
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Credit Karma
    • Bars:
      What Bars?

    @Kjammer09: I’m done checking lol hopefully we get notified soon of us being accepted

    Reply
  24. Kjammer09

    @Ineedmy$$now: yeah I actually just checked by calling the IRS hotline and TT still hasn’t submitted my info. Wmr this morning said it couldn’t recognize my information. So I’m not sure what’s going on tbh. It’s always been so quick. I have gone to JH last few years & this year I was not doing that again! Now I’m questioning my decision just bc Ive heard how TT has a ton of issues

    Reply
  25. KDinAZ**

    @Kjammer09: im unsure. I personally have never used Turbo Tax as they seem to have alot of issues. I also think that this year with their offer for people to file for free who have never used them will cause even more issues. I hope that your return is accepted soon and tax season goes smoothly.

    Reply
  26. Kjammer09

    @Walter DOG: yeah I already surpassed the login in attempts. I have never done that before but did today. It’s never taken this long to get accepted. Usually it’s within minutes. No matter who I file through. Thx for the info :)

    Reply
  27. Kjammer09

    @KDinAZ**: ok TurboTax is dropping the ball or something. Bc I filed this morning too and still haven’t been accepted. Have seen others too saying the same

    Reply
  28. 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!

    @Kjammer09: you can login to your irs account and check refund status that way (wmr)

    Reply
    1
  29. Monee
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-8
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Varo
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-15
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • I Got My Refund!

    Congrats to everyone who got accepted today!!!! I know more acceptances are coming

    Reply
    5
  30. Ineedmy$$now
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-24
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Credit Karma
    • Bars:
      What Bars?

    @Kjammer09: this is crazy!

    Reply
  31. Tk
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-13
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Chime
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-17
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      04
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • As of:
      Mar-10
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-17
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Mary: so how do I get it to them if it was already accepted?

    Reply
  32. Kjammer09

    @Ineedmy$$now: I’m still waiting but filed this morning with TT. Selected the advance. The said I’m eligible for $500. We’ll see.havent filed with TT in few years. Heard some people have issues getting the advance if they already had a credit karma money account

    Reply
  33. KDinAZ**

    Hi Everyone, back again this year. I filed this morning and was accepted within two hours. I used freetaxusa. Im a pather.

    Reply
    5
  34. Ineedmy$$now
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-24
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Credit Karma
    • Bars:
      What Bars?

    Anyone still waiting to be accepted?

    Reply
  35. okietax89

    @Chroniclurker29: Same here .

    Reply
    1
  36. Mary

    @TK They will not process your return without the 1095-A and the information held within.

    Reply
  37. Justin056

    @Chronicclurker29 I’ve had that message and was accepted the 22nd. Im sure its normal. Once its accepted the system checks everything and confirms or it would’ve kicked it back. Last year i put the wrong social for one of my dependents and it automatically kicked it back. Well be good. at least we are in the test batch .

    Reply
    3
  38. Chroniclurker29

    Anyone on path and not get the path message….we’re still on “it is being processed” we were accepted 21st.

    Reply
    2
  39. Jocelynn
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-15
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-17
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20250504
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • As of:
      Feb-10
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-17
    • I Got My Refund!

    Happy opening day everyone!

    Reply
    6
  40. Ineedmy$$now
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-24
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Credit Karma
    • Bars:
      What Bars?

    Still not accepted

    Reply