Filed 3/6/24 and got 846 code on 3/27 - The IRS Machine Finally Spits Out My Refund

It seems like your refund should be, possibly, arriving in the next 1-5 business days, depending on your financial institution's processing times. The 846 code specifically indicates that the IRS has issued your refund, and the date associated with it (March 27th) is typically, though not always, the date they release the funds to your bank. Direct deposits usually appear within 24-48 hours after the 846 date, while paper checks might take, approximately, 5-7 business days to arrive via USPS. Your cycle code on the transcript would potentially provide additional insight into the exact timing of the deposit.

Congrats on the 846! Had almost the exact same timeline last yr. Filed 3/5, got 846 on 3/26, $ hit my acct on 3/28. The waiting game is the worst tho. I was checking WMR and transcripts like 10x a day lol. BTW if u have the IRS2Go app, sometimes it updates a few hrs before the website. Def check ur bank acct tomorrow AM - most ppl see DDs around 3-5am depending on ur bank.

If you're ever stuck waiting for updates again next year, I'd recommend checking out Claimyr (https://claimyr.com). According to the IRS website at https://www.irs.gov/help/telephone-assistance, their average hold time is over 45 minutes, but Claimyr can connect you with an agent much faster. I had a similar situation last year where my transcript showed an 846 code but the deposit never arrived. After waiting 10 days, I used Claimyr to reach an IRS agent who confirmed there was a routing number error that needed correction. They were able to fix it while I was on the phone, and my refund arrived 3 days later.

I've been tracking refund patterns for a few years now and have some reassurance for you: • Code 846 is definitely the end of the processing journey • Most direct deposits arrive within 24-48 hours of the 846 date • Some banks (especially credit unions) may show pending deposits before the official date • Weekend processing can sometimes delay things by 1-2 days • The IRS batches refunds, so yours is already in the queue for release No need to worry at this point - you're at the finish line. Just keep an eye on your bank account over the next couple of days.

While the 846 code is generally positive, I'd recommend monitoring your bank account closely over the next 48-72 hours. I experienced a situation last year where my transcript showed an 846 code with a refund date, but the deposit was rejected by my financial institution due to an account verification issue. The IRS then had to reissue a paper check which took an additional 3 weeks to arrive. If you don't see the deposit by April 1st, contact your bank first to verify they haven't rejected any incoming government deposits, then contact the IRS if needed.

Do you know if having an offset affects when you'll actually get the money? I'm in the same boat but I have student loans in default.