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
49,357 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. Stl

    @Monee: thanks for the information. I’m stuck on 2/10 and I’m a weekly. Maybe Friday I see change?

    Reply
  2. 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!

    @Stl: i had that message last year. I was in the errors dept and they were fixing an error. It didn’t really hold me up and I had my refund with the rest of the pathers.

    Reply
  3. DAL
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-17
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bars:
      No Bars-PATH Act Message
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-17
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Feb-26
    • I Got My Refund!

    just went to view transcripts everything looks good.. codes 150 806 and 768

    Reply
    1
  4. New to this

    Last year my transcripts say 846 ddd 2/22/2024 but we got it 2/16/2024 we had path credits wonder when we will get it this year

    Reply
    7
  5. Stl

    We apologize, but your return processing has been delayed beyond the normal timeframe. You can continue to check back here for the most up to date information regarding your refund. We understand your tax refund is very important and we are working to process your return as quickly as possible. This is the message on wmr

    Reply
  6. harrya

    @shelleybeanss: Hi remember me from last year what a nightmare it was, hope its better this year

    Reply
    1
  7. harrya

    Something else i dont get how my state return gets processed in 2 days and is in the mail prob tomorrow, why fed cant do that?

    Reply
    1
  8. Stephennotsignedin

    Good morning my peeps
    Hope everyone is having a blessed day and just know God always comes through when you need him to. Just know God has his hands in everyone of us just know God is in control and what will be will be
    I gave up stressing over this refund I gave it up to God and he will give it to me in good time. I pray everyone has a very blessed day and may God give you comfort in your time of need.

    Reply
    26
  9. harrya

    My transcript still says no record of filing ,but tt says it was accepted and wmr the same anyone else

    Reply
    5
  10. NYkhidd

    @Monee: usually I only see an update on WMR on Saturday the day after my transcript update on Friday .. unless you get the “still being processed refund date provided when available” that message usually pops up randomly sometimes

    Reply
    3
  11. @starchild1111

    @Beth: oh ok maybe your in progress to updating i know at first its a system thing and if they need to pull anything theyll pop a code up on ur transcripts so they may help you see what’s happening specifically with yours and put them beside hers to get a wide view of what codes your expecting i believe i’m late replying sorry hope you got your answer hun

    Reply
  12. Leez

    I claim EITC and was accepted January 27th. My DDD is February 17th. Hope it’s true. Can’t wait

    Reply
    3
  13. Thor

    @Lily: awesome do you know when he filed?

    Reply
  14. 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!

    @ItsMyMoney&IwantItNow: that’s the whole point of the page. The entire point is for questions regarding filing, ddd, letters. Move on. This isn’t the place for you, obviously. JFC

    Reply
    7
  15. 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!

    @Monee: I’m not sure. Mine has only ever updated the day after transcripts update

    Reply
  16. Lily

    @Thor: My nephew got his refund Friday

    Reply
    1
  17. 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!

    Question: does wmr only update once a week or does it change any time something happens. It’s early so I hope I’m making sense.

    Reply
  18. Beth

    @Sharmaine: they are blank

    Reply
  19. Harris
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-15
    • Fees:
      In Advance
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-17

    The only stupid question is the one not asked! Good morning folks! Sprinkling a little positivity on the forum!

    Reply
    15
  20. Ashl3y

    @Non-Pather: what chart are you going off hun!? Where can I find it

    Reply
  21. oh shut up

    @ItsMyMoney&IwantItNow: it’s called a thread for a reason not for Karen’s like you to complain since when did you become the boss and since when did we have to listen to you about what to post and what not to post hope you have a better day… working nights seems to have you cranky bud

    Reply
    13
  22. @lynnw

    @Thor: yes every year for the last 3 years i received my money before it updated. i use a regular bank no card.

    Reply
    3
  23. ItsMyMoney&IwantItNow

    @Kayleee: I said what I said. And I work nights you should be the one who’s sleep. I touched a nerve as stated per reply below stop clogging up the thread with irrelevant bs

    Reply
    1
  24. Kayleee

    @ItsMyMoney&IwantItNow: well someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed.. what’s it to you if someone has a question or concern if it doesn’t apply let it fly..ever heard of minding your own business

    Reply
    12
  25. All you need is love.

    @Aris5505: No your tax refund will go through cross river bank.

    Reply
  26. All you need is love.

    @hopefloats: Hi cross river bank is the bank they gonna use hope this helps I’m in the same boat.

    Reply
    1
  27. hopefloats
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-16
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-17

    Does anyone know what bank they use if they elect the $25 early 5 day deposit even if they don’t do it???

    Reply
  28. Thor

    Has anyone ever gotten a deposit before anything updated?

    Reply
    1
  29. hopefloats
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-16
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-17

    @Umm what bank do they use?

    Reply
  30. Non-Pather

    @Thor: Nope. Just checked no DD date for me yet. Says on Chart the next update is Tuesday starting @ 3 AM-7 AM Tuesday. 🤞🏻

    Reply
  31. Thor

    So no one received their refund or update yet? The nonpathers…..

    Reply
  32. 😭🤣

    @ItsMyMoney&IwantIt@ItsMyMoney&IwantItNow: 😭😭😭😭😭😭

    Reply
    1
  33. Umm

    @Aris5505: they actually are using a different bank if you chose the $25 five day early option. It doesn’t go through SBTPG for that option

    Reply
    1
  34. ItsMyMoney&IwantItNow

    I really wish you all would just post the ddd instead of all these bs questions or how long it took to get to the second bar. It’s mentally draining to see unnecessary questions clogging up the thread.

    Reply
    9
  35. 757VApather

    @Beth: maybe ID VERIFY; look out for mail

    Reply
  36. Sharmaine

    @Beth: mines are like that too just means we’re not done processing if you are weekly like me and 05 cycle code we usually update on Fridays you’ll probably update this Friday.

    Reply
  37. Aris5505

    I just noticed when filing my taxes via Turbo Tax they want to charge 25 for getting your refund 5 days early. From past returns, if you choose to have the fee’s taken out, doesn’t Santa Barbara Tax paying group hold your funds and release them the day of or 1 day before the 846 DD date? What is TT trying to pull here? We all know if you have the fees taken out we won’t get the DD five days early unless something has changed ???

    Reply
    1
  38. Sharmaine

    @Beth: what’s your transcripts saying

    Reply
  39. Shane11

    So if you claim child tax credit, I have read DD will be Feb 22-Mar 3rd. No sooner.

    Is this correct?

    Reply
    5
  40. Beth

    @Sharmaine: I’m worried about mine not hers

    Reply