Code 846 on Transcript w/ 2/28 Date - Confirmed Refund?
Quick q for the tax pros: Just checked my transcript today and spotted code 846 w/ refund date of 2/28. Filed on 2/9, got accepted same day. From my exp as a 1099 worker, this is def the DDD (direct deposit date), but wanted to confirm w/ others. The cycle code matches my normal pattern too. Anyone else getting their refund exactly 19 days after acceptance this season?
21 comments
Zoe Papanikolaou
Yes, that's exactly what it means! When your transcript shows an 846 code, haven't you essentially reached the finish line? The 846 is specifically labeled as "refund issued" and the date shown (2/28 in your case) is when the funds will be released to your financial institution. Have you checked whether your bank typically posts IRS deposits immediately or holds them for a day or two?
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Jamal Wilson
Just to clarify for everyone reading this thread: Code 846 is definitely the final step in the refund process. It means the IRS has approved your refund and scheduled it for release. The date associated with it (2/28 in this case) is the official date they'll send the payment to your bank. Most major banks will then post it within 1-2 business days, though some credit unions might make it available immediately.
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Mei Lin
Got my 846 code last week w/ a date of 2/21. Money hit my acct exactly on that day, no delay. FWIW my bank (Capital One) usually posts IRS refunds same-day. Some banks take 24hrs tho. Congrats on getting thru the system quick - I'm also 1099 and sometimes our returns take forever bc of all the schedules.
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Liam Fitzgerald
This is so helpful to know! I've been stressing about my refund timeline since I need it for some urgent bills. Seeing that 846 code would be such a relief.
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Amara Nnamani
It probably means you'll get your refund on or around 2/28, but there are sometimes exceptions. Have you verified that you don't have any offsets or other potential issues that might delay things? It's generally a good idea to check if you have any outstanding federal or state debts that could potentially intercept your refund.
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Giovanni Mancini
Last year my transcript showed February 15th as my refund date, but I received it on February 14th! The IRS seems to build in a little buffer time. I filed on January 29th and had a similar timeline to what you're seeing - about 16 days from acceptance to refund.
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NebulaNinja
Does anyone know if the Where's My Refund tool typically updates at the same time as the transcript? Sometimes they seem to be out of sync.
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Fatima Al-Suwaidi
Thanks for bringing up the offset possibility. Always important to consider that even with code 846, if you have federal student loans in default, child support arrears, or certain other government debts, the Treasury Offset Program can intercept refunds.
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Dylan Mitchell
From my experience with tax transcripts: • Code 846 = Refund approved and scheduled • Date shown = When IRS releases funds • Actual deposit = Usually same day to 2 days later • WMR tool = Often lags behind transcript updates I've seen hundreds of cases and 99% of the time, the 846 date is accurate within 1-2 days.
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Sofia Morales
YES!!! I'm so happy to see this question because I JUST went through this exact situation! The 846 code absolutely means your refund is coming on 2/28. I was obsessively checking my transcript every day and when I finally saw that beautiful 846 code, I was beyond relieved. If you need to actually speak with someone at the IRS about your refund (I did because mine was larger than expected), I highly recommend Claimyr (https://www.claimyr.com). Saved me HOURS of hold time and got me connected to an agent who confirmed everything about my refund date. So much better than the anxiety of wondering!
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Dmitry Popov
Hmm, is this service actually necessary though? Couldn't you just call the IRS directly if you needed to confirm something? I'm curious about what additional value this provides compared to just being patient with the regular IRS phone system.
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Ava Garcia
Compared to other tax scenarios I've dealt with, using a service like this can be worthwhile during peak season. The technical aspect of IRS call routing means their lines get overwhelmed in February and March. I've personally spent 3+ hours on hold multiple times, sometimes getting disconnected after waiting.
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Zoe Papanikolaou
Thx for the input everyone. Good to know my instincts were right. I'll expect the $$ on 2/28 or maybe a day after depending on my bank. Nice to have the community confirm!
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StarSailor}
I had this exact situation last year! Code 846 with a date, and the money hit my account precisely on that date. I'm always super prepared and keep a spreadsheet of all my tax filing dates, codes, and deposit times going back five years. My average time from acceptance to deposit has been 18 days, so your 19 days is right in line with normal processing. I was so grateful when I saw that 846 code because I had been checking my transcript daily (sometimes twice daily if I'm being honest!).
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Zoe Papanikolaou
That spreadsheet idea is genius. I'm def gonna start tracking my patterns too. As a 1099 worker, I've noticed my returns seem to follow similar processing timelines year to year. Thx for the tip!
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Amara Nnamani
Do you happen to know if there are any differences in processing times between those who file with earned income credit versus those who don't? I've heard PATH Act returns take longer.
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Miguel Silva
I'm not entirely convinced it's that simple. The IRS systems have been notoriously unreliable during peak season. While code 846 typically indicates a refund date, I've seen numerous instances in tax forums where the actual deposit occurred several days after the indicated date. The Transaction Code definitions clearly state that 846 is "Refund issued" but the Disbursement Department sometimes batches payments differently based on volume.
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Zainab Ismail
I've been tracking my refunds for years now (tax nerd alert! 🤓), and I can say with pretty high confidence that when you see code 846, you're golden! The date they show is when they'll send the payment, not necessarily when it hits your account. Think of it like ordering something online - the shipping date isn't always the delivery date, haha. But in my experience, most banks process IRS direct deposits within 24 hours of receiving them. I'd expect to see that money either on 2/28 or 3/1 at the latest.
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Connor O'Neill
Code 846 is like getting the golden ticket in Willy Wonka - you're definitely getting your refund! Last year, my transcript updated with code 846 on a Thursday with a Monday date, and just like clockwork, the money appeared in my account that Monday morning. The IRS refund process is like a conveyor belt in a factory - once your return reaches the 846 stage, it's essentially packaged and ready for shipping. Nothing is stopping it now unless there's some major system failure, which is extremely rare at this final stage.
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Yara Nassar
According to the IRS.gov website and multiple tax professional forums, code 846 definitively indicates a scheduled refund. The date associated (2/28 in your case) is when the Treasury will release the funds to your financial institution. As others have mentioned, most banks process these within 1-2 business days, though some make funds available immediately. If you're interested in learning more about transcript codes, the IRS has a manual called the Transaction Codes Pocket Guide that explains each code in detail.
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Keisha Robinson
Got my 846 code last week. Money showed up exactly on date. No delays. Was surprised how accurate it was. Banking with Chase if that helps.
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