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Be careful about assuming that date means your refund is coming soon. Here's what happened to me: 1. First, my transcript updated with a similar date 2. Then, a week later, I got a verification letter in the mail 3. Had to call and verify my identity 4. After verification, waited another 9 weeks 5. Finally received my refund The CTC triggers additional verification for many taxpayers. The February date could just be the initial processing completion. If you don't receive your refund within 2 weeks of that date, you might want to check if you're being asked for verification. Do you have access to your IRS online account? Have you checked your mail carefully?
I've been through this rodeo many times before. That February 19 date is likely your cycle date, not your deposit date. In my experience with Florida returns, you're looking at about a week after that date for your actual deposit. The Child Tax Credit returns are taking longer this year than they did last year - I filed on January 29th with CTC and just got my deposit yesterday, which was 8 days after my transcript updated. Back in 2022, it was only 5 days between transcript update and deposit. The IRS seems to be taking their sweet time this season!
The Master File cycle codes are actually more complex than most people realize. The first digit (0 in both your cases) indicates the IRS processing center, while the second digit (5 or 2) indicates frequency. What's interesting is that the IRS sometimes shifts taxpayers between cycles to balance their processing load during peak filing season. I was surprised to learn that daily cycles don't always mean faster processing - it depends on the Transaction Code sequence and whether there are any pending Freeze Conditions on your account.
OMG this EXACT thing happened to me too!! Been 05 forever and suddenly 02 this year! I was freaking out thinking they were gonna audit me or something! But my refund actually came FASTER than usual this year, got it in 9 days instead of the usual 3 weeks! So honestly... maybe it's a good thing? š¤
Just got my refund yesterday after seeing the 846 code last week! The date on mine was 3/15 and it hit my account right on schedule. The IRS might move at the speed of a sloth climbing through molasses most of the time (looking at you, amended returns department š), but once that magical 846 appears, you're in the home stretch. I was honestly shocked when it arrived exactly on time after all the horror stories I'd read online.
I had almost the exact same timeline as you last year. Filed January 27th, accepted same day, no updates until February 24th when I got a date on my transcript. My refund was direct deposited exactly 6 days after that date appeared. This seems very similar to what happened with my brother-in-law this year too, though his came 8 days after the transcript date. Compared to my neighbor who filed in early February and got her refund in 21 days with no delays, we seem to be in that group that takes a bit longer but still processes normally.
According to the IRS2Go app and several IRS resources I've checked, the cycle code 05 indicates a weekly processing cycle. The IRS publication "Understanding Your IRS Notice or Letter" (https://www.irs.gov/individuals/understanding-your-irs-notice-or-letter) can help decode some of this. Your transcript showing movement after almost a month is actually right on schedule for this tax season - I've seen multiple reports on Reddit of January filers just now seeing movement in late February/early March.
Javier Morales
Just got my refund yesterday after having the EXACT same situation! Had 846 code dated May 15th while still showing PATH verification on WMR. Money hit my account right on the 15th as scheduled. The PATH message is just a system lag - they forget to update that part sometimes. š Don't stress, your money is coming! Set your alarm for the 22nd and prepare for a slightly better bank balance that morning!
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Emma Anderson
Check your bank account tomorrow. IRS often sends early. Sometimes two days before the date. Seen it happen many times. Also verify your bank info is correct on your return. Wrong routing numbers cause major delays. No guarantees though.
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