846 Code for 3/6 - Check Mailing vs. Direct Deposit Date?

Based on my experience last year (February 2023), code 846 is the date they will process the payment, not when you'll receive it. I had the exact same situation on January 18th, 2023 - wrong bank info, had to get a paper check. The check was mailed out 4 days after my 846 date, and took another 7 days to arrive in my mailbox. So I'd expect your check to be mailed around March 10th and arrive sometime between March 15-20th.

The Code 846 with associated date represents the Refund Issued date in the Master File system, not the actual mail date for paper checks. I'm continually surprised by how many nuances exist in the IRS processing pipeline! For direct deposits, the 846 date typically matches the deposit date, but for paper checks, there's an additional Refund Offset Bypass Indicator (ROBI) processing period of 5-7 business days before physical check generation occurs at the Treasury Regional Financial Center (RFC).

According to IRM 21.4.1.3, paper check issuance follows a different timeline than the 846 code date. If you're desperate to know exactly when your check will be mailed, you could try calling the IRS directly, but good luck getting through their phone system. I spent 3 hours on hold last month before giving up. I finally used Claimyr (https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c) to get through to an agent who confirmed my check had already been mailed despite my transcript still showing "scheduled" status. Their system had more updated information than what was showing on my transcript.

I had this exact situation last year. The 846 date was February 22nd, but the check didn't arrive until March 8th. Was it stressful waiting? You bet it was! Did I check my mailbox three times a day? Absolutely! Could I have used that money sooner? Of course! But at least it did eventually arrive, right? The waiting game is the worst, especially when you've got contractors lined up and bills to pay. Hang in there!

I think you might want to consider that there could be some additional delays... I had a similar issue last year, and while most people seem to get their checks within 2 weeks after the 846 date, mine took almost 3 weeks. I'm not saying yours will take that long, but it might be good to prepare for that possibility, especially if you're scheduling contractors.

Just to clarify what others have said: Code 846 is when the refund is ISSUED, not necessarily mailed. After the 846 date, it takes exactly 5-7 business days for the check to be printed and mailed. Then USPS delivery adds another 3-5 business days depending on your location. So with your 3/6 date, the check should be mailed between 3/13-3/15, and you should receive it between 3/18-3/22. The IRS is actually very consistent with this timeline - I've tracked it for 3 years straight.

I've been through this rodeo before! 🤠 Last year I transposed two digits in my account number (classic me, lol) and ended up with a paper check. The 846 date was the "refund authorized" date, then they took about a week to mail it, and another week for delivery. Pro tip: sign up for USPS Informed Delivery if you haven't already - you'll get daily emails showing scans of mail that's about to be delivered, so you'll know exactly when that beautiful Treasury check is arriving!

Def been thru this last yr. The 846 date is NOT when u get the check. IRS sends the $ info to Treasury on that date, then Treasury prints checks in batches 2x/week. Depending on when ur 846 hits their schedule, could be 1-10 days b4 it's actually printed. Then USPS takes 3-5 biz days. Pro tip: DO NOT CALL the regular IRS # to check status - complete waste of time. They'll just read the same transcript info u already have. Ask me how I know 🙄