Code 846 on Transcript with Date - Is This My Refund Date?
I've been monitoring my IRS transcript for tax year 2023 and noticed a transaction code 846 (refund issued) with a specific date listed. Based on my research, I believe this indicates a scheduled direct deposit, but I want to verify the interpretation. Is the date associated with code 846 definitively the DDD (direct deposit date) when funds will be transferred to my account? I'm responsible for my mother's care expenses and need to plan accordingly for when these funds will be available. Are there any known exceptions or delays that could affect this timeline?
37 comments


Hunter Edmunds
Yes, TC 846 with a date is your Direct Deposit Date (DDD) per IRM 21.4.1.3.7. The date shown is when the refund will be released to your financial institution. Per Reg. 301.6402-2, the funds should post to your account on that date or within 1-2 business days depending on your bank's processing time. If you filed with direct deposit instructions, the money should arrive on the date shown or very shortly after. If you're seeing this code now, you're in the final stage of processing.
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Ella Lewis
ā¢Like finding water in the desert! Is this true even if my transcript shows other pending codes alongside the 846? My situation feels like a maze with no exit.
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Andrew Pinnock
ā¢This is spot on. Last year my transcript showed code 846 with a date of March 15th, and sure enough, the money hit my account exactly on March 15th. It was such a relief after waiting for weeks with various other codes showing up. My bank (Chase) seems to post IRS deposits immediately when they receive them.
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Brianna Schmidt
ā¢I've heard this before, but my experience was different. Had a 846 code with date last year but no deposit on that day. Called IRS and they said sometimes there's a "processing delay" between system and actual transfer. Technical glitch they called it. Not trying to be negative, just realistic.
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Jade O'Malley
I would suggest verifying that the 846 code doesn't have any subsequent reversal codes... Sometimes the system will show an 846 but then add a TC 841 (refund cancelled) or a TC 971 (action pending). It's rare, but it happens. I'd also recommend checking that your bank account details on the return are correct, as incorrect routing numbers can cause delays.
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Alexis Renard
ā¢Wait, there can be reversal codes after an 846? How do I know if that happened to me? My transcript has a bunch of numbers and codes that don't make sense to me.
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Camila Jordan
ā¢OMG YES THIS HAPPENED TO ME! Had an 846 then a week later got a 971 notice code! Called immediately and found out they needed to verify my identity. Lost THREE WEEKS waiting for this to resolve! If you see ANY codes after your 846, don't wait - address it right away!
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Tyler Lefleur
ā¢I had exactly 3 cases of this happening in my tax preparation practice this season. In all 3 instances, the 846 code appeared with a DDD, then 4-7 days later, a TC 841 followed by a TC 971 appeared. The resolution time averaged 37 days from the reversal to the new 846 code being issued. In 2 cases it was due to incorrect direct deposit information, and in 1 case it was due to a name mismatch with Social Security records.
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Madeline Blaze
I went through EXACTLY this last month. Had an 846 code with a date of 3/22/24. My refund was actually deposited at 12:01am on that exact date. But here's what drove me crazy - I have Bank of America and they showed it as "pending" until the next business day! So technically I could see it, but couldn't use it for another day. Different banks handle these deposits differently. Some make funds available immediately, others hold them until the exact date, and some even hold them an extra day. So frustrating when you're counting on that money!
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Max Knight
Code 846 with a date of April 26, 2024 (for example) means your refund is scheduled to be released on April 26th. However, if you're having trouble getting clear information or if your refund doesn't arrive by April 29th, calling the IRS directly is your best option. I tried calling their regular number on March 15th, March 16th, and March 17th with no success - wait times exceeded 2 hours each time. I used Claimyr (https://www.claimyr.com) and got connected to an agent in about 30 minutes who confirmed my exact deposit date and explained why my bank was showing a pending status. Saved me days of uncertainty when I needed to know exactly when funds would clear.
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Emma Swift
ā¢I'm hesitant about using third-party services to contact government agencies. Is there any concern about sharing personal information with them? I'm generally cautious about these types of services.
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Isabella Tucker
ā¢Have you considered that Claimyr doesn't actually access your tax information? They simply connect you to the IRS phone system, bypassing the hold times. Once connected, you're speaking directly with the IRS, not with Claimyr. They don't see or handle your tax details at all.
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Jayden Hill
ā¢How exactly does the process work? Do you still need to have all your tax info ready like normal? And does it work for all IRS departments or just general inquiries?
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LordCommander
While everyone's focusing on the 846 code, don't forget to check your online IRS account at https://www.irs.gov/payments/your-online-account too. Sometimes the account shows more updated information than what's on the transcript. The Where's My Refund tool also updates overnight, so checking both resources gives you the most complete picture. I've found that the online account sometimes shows pending adjustments that haven't yet appeared on the transcript.
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Lucy Lam
Here's a step-by-step way to confirm your refund status: 1. First, verify the 846 code date on your transcript 2. Check that no subsequent transaction codes appear after the 846 3. Confirm your bank account information is correct on your return 4. Understand that the date shown is when the IRS releases the payment, not necessarily when your bank makes it available 5. If the date passes without a deposit, allow 1-2 business days for bank processing 6. If still not received after that window, contact your bank to check for rejected deposits 7. As a last resort, contact the IRS directly if steps 1-6 don't resolve the issue This methodical approach helps eliminate the most common issues.
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Aidan Hudson
OMG I was in this exact situation last week! Got my 846 code w/ date of 4/17 and was freaking out bc I needed $ for car repairs asap. The DDD was 100% accurate for me - money showed up right on time! My credit union even made it avail a day early. Such a relief after waiting foreverrr. Hang in there, that 846 date is legit!
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Zoe Wang
Have you considered checking with your bank directly? Many banks have specific policies for government deposits that differ from regular direct deposits. Some even have special departments that handle tax refunds. It's like expecting a package delivery but not checking if someone needs to sign for it! š Your bank might be able to tell you exactly when they'll post the funds once received from the IRS.
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Alexis Renard
ā¢So do I just call my bank's general customer service line for this, or is there a specific department I should ask for?
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Camila Jordan
ā¢Absolutely! I'm a banker and we DEFINITELY have different processing for government ACH transfers vs regular ones. Ask specifically for the ACH department or someone who handles government deposits. They can often see pending IRS deposits before they post to your account.
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Tyler Lefleur
ā¢In my experience working with 6 different banks, 4 of them had specific policies for government deposits. Chase and Bank of America typically post IRS refunds at midnight on the effective date, Wells Fargo often posts them 1 day early, and most credit unions post them when received which can be up to 2 days early. Regional banks typically follow the exact date on the ACH file.
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Connor Richards
Be careful. Got 846 code. Date came. No money. Called IRS. Deposit sent to old closed account. Bank rejected it. Had to wait 6 more weeks for paper check. Verify your account info is correct. Don't assume.
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Isabella Santos
I can relate to needing to plan for care expenses - financial uncertainty is stressful when you're responsible for someone else's wellbeing. From what I've observed, the 846 code with a date is generally reliable, but I'd recommend having a backup plan just in case. Even though most people get their deposits on the exact date shown, there are enough exceptions (bank processing delays, account verification issues, etc.) that it's worth preparing for a few extra days of delay. Consider checking your transcript daily leading up to the date to make sure no additional codes appear, and maybe have your bank's customer service number handy in case you need to verify the deposit status. The peace of mind is worth the extra preparation when you're managing someone else's care needs.
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Cedric Chung
Based on my experience helping others navigate this exact situation, the TC 846 code with a date is indeed your Direct Deposit Date (DDD) and is highly reliable. However, given that you're managing care expenses for your mother, I'd suggest a few additional precautions: 1) Screenshot your transcript showing the 846 code and date as documentation, 2) Contact your bank 1-2 days before the DDD to confirm they don't have any holds or special processing requirements for large government deposits, and 3) Have a contingency plan for 2-3 extra days just in case there are any processing delays. While the vast majority of people receive their refunds exactly on the 846 date, caregiving situations require that extra layer of financial planning certainty. The good news is that once you see that 846 code, you're essentially at the finish line - the IRS has approved and scheduled your refund for release.
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Jacob Lewis
ā¢This is really helpful advice, especially the part about screenshotting the transcript! I never thought about documenting it, but that makes so much sense when you're dealing with something as important as care expenses. Quick question - when you mention contacting the bank about holds on large government deposits, is there a specific amount threshold where banks typically apply extra scrutiny? I'm wondering if smaller refunds (like under $5000) would be treated differently than larger ones.
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Leo Simmons
Yes, the TC 846 code with a date is your Direct Deposit Date - that's when the IRS will release your refund to your bank. In most cases, you'll see the money in your account on that exact date or within 1-2 business days depending on your bank's processing. Since you're managing your mother's care expenses, I'd recommend calling your bank a day before the DDD to confirm they don't have any special holds on government deposits. Also keep monitoring your transcript to make sure no reversal codes (like TC 841 or TC 971) appear after the 846 - those would indicate an issue that needs immediate attention. The 846 code is generally very reliable, but having a small buffer in your planning never hurts when you're responsible for someone else's care needs.
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Charlee Coleman
ā¢This is exactly the kind of comprehensive advice I was hoping to find! As someone new to interpreting tax transcripts, I really appreciate you mentioning the specific reversal codes to watch out for (TC 841 and TC 971). I've been checking my transcript obsessively since seeing the 846 code, but I wasn't sure what warning signs to look for. The suggestion about calling the bank ahead of time is brilliant - I hadn't considered that they might have special procedures for government deposits. Given that I'm coordinating multiple care providers for my mom, having that extra day or two of certainty could make a huge difference in scheduling and payments. Thank you for understanding the added pressure that comes with managing someone else's financial needs on top of your own!
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Abigail bergen
As someone who's been through this exact situation with caring for an elderly parent, I completely understand the anxiety around timing when you're coordinating care expenses. The TC 846 code with a date is indeed your Direct Deposit Date - it's when the IRS releases the funds to your bank. In my experience, about 95% of the time the money arrives exactly on that date or the next business day. However, I learned the hard way to always have a 3-4 day buffer when planning care payments. Last year my refund was delayed by 2 days because my credit union had a policy of holding large government deposits for verification (even though I'd been banking there for years). I now call my bank's customer service line about 48 hours before any expected large deposit to ask about their processing timeline for IRS refunds. It's also worth setting up account alerts so you're notified immediately when the deposit hits. The peace of mind is invaluable when you're managing someone else's wellbeing alongside your own financial planning.
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Dmitry Volkov
ā¢Thank you so much for sharing your experience with caring for an elderly parent - it really helps to know I'm not alone in this situation! Your point about the 3-4 day buffer is so practical and something I hadn't fully considered. I've been so focused on the exact 846 date that I didn't think about building in that cushion for care planning. The tip about calling the bank 48 hours ahead is brilliant - I'm definitely going to do that. I also love the idea of setting up account alerts; I've been obsessively checking my account multiple times a day which is probably driving me crazy unnecessarily. It's reassuring to hear that 95% of the time it works exactly as expected, but you're absolutely right that when you're responsible for someone else's care, that 5% uncertainty requires extra planning. I'm going to implement all of these suggestions - having that peace of mind will be worth so much when coordinating my mom's care providers and medical appointments. Thank you for the thoughtful advice from someone who truly understands this unique pressure!
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Tate Jensen
Based on my experience with tax transcripts, the TC 846 code with a date is indeed your Direct Deposit Date (DDD) - this is when the IRS releases your refund to your financial institution. However, since you're managing your mother's care expenses, I'd strongly recommend a few precautionary steps: First, check your transcript daily leading up to the DDD to ensure no reversal codes appear (TC 841 or TC 971 would indicate issues). Second, contact your bank 1-2 days before the expected deposit to confirm their processing timeline for IRS refunds - some banks post immediately while others may hold for verification. Third, build in a 2-3 day buffer when planning care-related payments, as bank processing can occasionally cause delays even when the IRS releases funds on time. While the 846 code is highly reliable (I'd estimate 95%+ accuracy), the responsibility of coordinating someone else's care requires that extra layer of financial planning certainty. Setting up account alerts can also help reduce the stress of constantly checking your balance. The good news is that seeing the 846 code means your refund has been approved and scheduled - you're essentially at the finish line!
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Omar Zaki
ā¢This is incredibly thorough and helpful advice! As someone new to understanding tax transcripts, I really appreciate you breaking down both the technical aspects and the practical caregiving considerations. The specific mention of TC 841 and TC 971 as warning codes is exactly what I needed to know - I've been staring at my transcript but wasn't sure what red flags to watch for. Your point about building in a 2-3 day buffer really resonates with me because coordinating my mom's physical therapy appointments and home health aide schedule requires precise timing with payments. I'm definitely going to set up those account alerts you mentioned - the constant balance checking is definitely adding to my stress levels! It's so reassuring to hear that the 846 code represents being "at the finish line" because this whole process has felt overwhelming while juggling care responsibilities. Thank you for understanding that managing someone else's wellbeing adds a whole different layer of pressure to financial planning!
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Miguel Ramos
I understand the stress of managing someone else's care expenses while waiting for your refund! As a newcomer here, I've been reading through everyone's experiences and wanted to add that I'm in a similar situation caring for my grandmother. The TC 846 code with a date has been reliable in my experience - I received my refund exactly on the date shown last year. However, I learned to always verify that my banking information is correct on the return and to call my bank ahead of time to ask about their IRS deposit processing. One thing that helped reduce my anxiety was creating a backup payment plan for essential care services, just in case there were any unexpected delays. It sounds like you're being very responsible in planning ahead, and from what I've read here, that 846 date should be accurate. Wishing you and your mother all the best!
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Keisha Johnson
ā¢Thank you so much for sharing your experience with caring for your grandmother - it's comforting to know others understand this unique situation! Your suggestion about creating a backup payment plan is really smart and something I hadn't considered. I've been so focused on the transcript details that I forgot about having contingencies for essential services. It's reassuring to hear that your 846 date was accurate last year. I'm definitely going to follow your advice about calling the bank ahead of time and verifying all my banking information one more time. The stress of coordinating care while managing finances is no joke, but hearing from people who've successfully navigated this gives me hope. Thank you for the well wishes - it means a lot coming from someone who truly gets it!
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Ahooker-Equator
As someone new to this community, I want to thank everyone for sharing such detailed experiences about the TC 846 code! I'm also caring for an elderly family member and was feeling overwhelmed trying to interpret my transcript. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly educational - especially learning about the potential reversal codes (TC 841 and TC 971) to watch for after the 846 appears. The practical advice about calling banks ahead of time and building in buffer days for care planning is exactly what I needed to hear. It's reassuring to see so many people confirm that the 846 date is generally reliable, while also being realistic about the exceptions that can occur. For those of us managing care responsibilities, that balance between optimism and preparedness seems crucial. I'm going to implement the suggestions about daily transcript monitoring, bank communication, and backup planning. Thank you all for creating such a supportive space where people can share both the technical details and the real-world caregiving challenges that come with waiting for these refunds!
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Layla Sanders
ā¢Welcome to the community! I'm also new here and have been learning so much from everyone's shared experiences. Like you, I'm navigating the stress of caring for a family member while trying to understand these tax transcripts - it's definitely overwhelming when you're responsible for someone else's wellbeing on top of your own finances. The detailed advice in this thread about monitoring for reversal codes and creating backup plans has been a game-changer for my peace of mind. I especially appreciate how people here understand that caregiving adds an extra layer of urgency and anxiety to the whole refund process. It's such a relief to find others who get that we can't just "wait and see" when medications, therapy appointments, and care services depend on that money arriving on time. Thank you for highlighting all the key takeaways - having them summarized like that really helps me feel more prepared and less anxious about the whole situation!
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Sean Doyle
As a newcomer to this community, I wanted to share my recent experience with the TC 846 code since I see you're in a similar caregiving situation. I was caring for my father and desperately needed clarity on when his refund (which I handle as his POA) would arrive for his medical expenses. The 846 code showed a date of March 8th, and the funds were deposited exactly on that date! However, I learned a few things that might help you: 1) Even though the deposit arrived on time, my bank (Wells Fargo) initially showed it as "pending" until the next business day, so I couldn't access it immediately. 2) I wish I had called the bank beforehand to understand their processing timeline. 3) Having a small emergency fund buffer saved me from panic when I saw "pending" instead of "available." The 846 date was completely accurate in my case, but the banking side had its own timeline. I hope this helps ease some of your worry - the transcript codes seem very reliable, but definitely plan for potential bank processing delays when scheduling care payments!
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Luca Greco
ā¢Thank you so much for sharing your POA experience - that's exactly the kind of real-world insight I needed! Your point about Wells Fargo showing the deposit as "pending" even when it arrived on the correct date is super valuable information. I'm with a different bank but I'm definitely going to call them this week to understand their specific processing timeline for IRS deposits. The idea of maintaining an emergency fund buffer is brilliant and something I should have thought of earlier - when you're managing someone else's care, those "pending" vs "available" distinctions can create real problems with scheduled payments. It's so reassuring to hear that the 846 date was completely accurate in your father's case. The banking processing delay is exactly the kind of detail that makes a huge difference when you're coordinating care services. I really appreciate you taking the time to share these practical lessons learned - it helps so much to hear from someone who's actually navigated this situation successfully!
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Ravi Choudhury
As a newcomer to this community, I wanted to add my perspective on the TC 846 code reliability. I've been following IRS transcript patterns for several years now, and from what I've observed, the 846 code with a date is indeed your Direct Deposit Date with about 97-98% accuracy. However, given that you're managing care expenses for your mother, I'd recommend what I call the "caregiver's triple-check approach": 1) Monitor your transcript daily for any codes that appear after the 846 (especially TC 841, TC 971, or TC 570), 2) Call your bank 2-3 days before the DDD to confirm they don't have special holds on large government deposits, and 3) Build a 3-day buffer into your care payment scheduling. I've seen too many caregivers get caught off-guard by bank processing delays even when the IRS side works perfectly. The 846 code means you're essentially guaranteed to receive your refund - it's just a matter of managing the final banking logistics. Also consider setting up text alerts for deposits over a certain amount so you know immediately when funds are available rather than constantly checking your balance. The stress of managing someone else's wellbeing while waiting for these funds is real, but you're asking all the right questions to plan appropriately.
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