What does IRS transcript process date of 17th mean - is this when refund arrives?

The process date on your transcript isn't necessarily your refund date. It's typically when the IRS completes their internal processing. Your actual refund should hit your account within 5-7 business days after that date, assuming there aren't any holds or additional reviews.

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been there done that... process date means nothing these days. i had a process date 3 weeks ago still no $$$

Check your WMR tool too, sometimes it updates before the transcript

mine took exactly 8 days after process date to hit my account if that helps

The IRS be playing games with these dates fr