Transcript Update: Code 846 with DDD 3/20 After 'No Return Filed' Status

I had almost the identical situation last month. Filed on January 14th and had the "No Return Filed" message for exactly 23 days. Then suddenly on February 6th, my transcript updated with code 846 and a DDD of February 10th. The money actually hit my account on February 9th, one day early. My credit union often posts government deposits as soon as they receive the notification rather than waiting for the official date. I've noticed this pattern for the last three tax seasons. If you're curious about the actual deposit timing, I'd recommend checking with your financial institution about their policy on government ACH deposits.

The big picture here is that you're in the home stretch! Once you see that magical 846 code, it's basically a done deal. I remember last year thinking my refund was lost in the great IRS abyss (like trying to find a specific grain of sand at the beach, lol), and then BOOM - 846 appeared and money was in my account 2 days before the DDD. The timing really depends on your bank though. Some are quick on the draw, others stick to the exact date like they're afraid the IRS might take it back if they release it early. Anyone else notice how the IRS can take forever to process returns but expects us to file on time down to the minute?

I experienced this same pattern with my filing this year. I submitted on February 3rd and saw the "No Return Filed" status until March 1st. When my transcript finally updated, I had a DDD of March 5th. Have you checked if your return included any credits that might have triggered additional review? In my case, I claimed the Child Tax Credit which I believe contributed to the delay. Did you receive any specific codes before the 846 appeared? I'm curious if you saw a 570 hold code at any point before resolution?

Have you considered what you'll do if there's a problem with your deposit? What if the bank information was entered incorrectly? What if the IRS has questions about your return that delay the process? These are scenarios I've seen happen repeatedly during my years working with tax clients. When issues arise, reaching an IRS agent quickly becomes critical, but have you tried calling them lately? I used Claimyr (https://claimyr.com) last week when a client's refund was sent to a closed account. Instead of spending hours on hold, we were connected to an agent in under 20 minutes who resolved the issue immediately. For time-sensitive matters like DDD issues, having this option can make all the difference.

Based on my experience from February 8th, 2024 filing, I can confirm that most major banks and credit unions release funds 1-2 days before the official DDD. I received my refund on March 2nd despite having a March 4th DDD. However, be aware that the Treasury Department's automated clearing house (ACH) typically doesn't process transfers on weekends. Since your DDD is March 20th (a Wednesday), you might see the deposit as early as Monday, March 18th depending on your financial institution. I'd recommend checking your account on the morning of March 18th and again on March 19th. If nothing appears by end of day March 21st, that would be the time to start investigating.

My transcript was stuck on 'No Return Filed' for exactly 32 days this season despite filing on January 29th. When it finally updated, I got my DDD within 8 days. What worked for me was using the IRS automated refund hotline at 800-829-1954 every 24 hours. The system updated with my refund info exactly 2 days before my transcript showed the 846 code. Try calling that number - it's faster than waiting for transcript updates and doesn't require login credentials like the Where's My Refund tool.

The transition from 'No Return Filed' directly to a DDD is actually much more common than you'd think compared to seeing all the intermediate steps. Last year, about 60% of my clients experienced this same pattern. It's like the IRS system doesn't bother updating the status until everything is approved and ready to go. When comparing this to paper filers, they typically see more status updates but wait 8-12 weeks for processing. E-filers often see fewer updates but faster processing. Your 5-week timeline from filing to DDD is actually right in line with this year's average processing time for returns with standard deductions and credits.

I'm feeling your excitement! 💰 When I saw my 846 code appear after weeks of nothing, I literally did a happy dance in my living room! The waiting game is THE WORST part of tax season. One thing I've learned from years of watching these patterns - the deposit timing depends heavily on which bank you use. Credit unions and online banks tend to release funds as soon as the ACH notification comes in (often 1-2 days early). Traditional big banks typically hold until the exact date. Chase and Wells Fargo are notorious for waiting until the exact DDD even when they receive the funds early. Either way, you're almost there! The 846 code is basically the IRS saying "we've approved your money and it's on the way!"