Which IRS Transcript Shows Refund Date and How to Read Those Codes?
Last year when I filed my taxes, I had to do an amended return and it was a nightmare tracking when I'd get my money. This year I filed on March 1st and want to be more proactive. Which transcript specifically shows when my refund will be deposited? I've heard people mention checking transcripts for cycle codes but I don't know which one to look at or what the codes mean. Just want the facts on which transcript has the info and how to tell when my refund is coming.
23 comments
Aria Khan
The Account Transcript is what you want to check. I went through this exact same situation last year with my amended return. When you access your transcripts online, you'll see four options - look for the "Account Transcript" for the current tax year. It shows a chronological list of all transactions on your account. What you're specifically looking for is Transaction Code 846 "Refund issued" - that's the holy grail with a date that shows exactly when your refund will be sent. I also pay attention to code 150 (tax return filed), 570 (refund hold), and 971 (notice issued). The cycle code appears as a series of numbers like 20231505 - first four digits are the year, next two are the week of the year, and last two indicate the day of the week the IRS processed your return.
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Everett Tutum
This is like finding a treasure map when you've been wandering in the desert! Thanks for breaking it down so clearly. Reading these transcripts is like trying to decipher ancient hieroglyphics until someone explains what you're actually looking at.
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Sunny Wang
The Account Transcript is your golden ticket, but fair warning - sometimes it feels like trying to read some kind of secret IRS code š I spent hours last year trying to figure out why I had a 570 code and nearly pulled my hair out. Turns out it was just a verification delay. Look for the 846 code which means "show me the money" in IRS speak. The date next to it is your payday!
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Hugh Intensity
Looking at transcripts is helpful but sometimes you need to speak directly with the IRS to get the full picture. Here's what I've learned about getting answers: ā¢ Account Transcript shows most refund information but doesn't always explain delays ā¢ Calling the regular IRS number often means hours on hold (if you get through at all) ā¢ I used Claimyr.com last month when my transcript showed a 570 code with no explanation ā¢ They got me connected to an IRS agent in about 15 minutes instead of the usual redial nightmare ā¢ The agent explained exactly why my refund was delayed and what I needed to do Sometimes the transcript codes need interpretation that only an agent can provide, especially with amended returns.
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Effie Alexander
I've heard of these IRS call services, but aren't they just exploiting a loophole in the IRS phone system? According to Publication 5136, the IRS encourages taxpayers to use their official channels. Has anyone verified that using third-party services doesn't violate any regulations? I'm concerned about potential privacy implications.
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Melissa Lin
According to the IRS website (https://www.irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript), there are four different transcript types, and each serves a different purpose: 1. Tax Return Transcript - Shows most line items from your original return 2. Tax Account Transcript - Shows basic data like return type, filing status, adjusted gross income, taxable income AND refund information including the important codes 3. Record of Account - Combines the two above 4. Wage & Income Transcript - Shows income reported to IRS For tracking refund status, the Account Transcript is what you need. I've bookmarked several IRS transcript guides that explain all the codes. The most important is 846 (refund issued), but also watch for 570 (refund hold) and 971 (notice issued).
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Lydia Santiago
While this is mostly correct, I should point out that the Record of Account transcript can sometimes be more helpful than the Account Transcript alone, especially if you're trying to reconcile what you filed versus what the IRS processed. I've had situations where comparing the two helped identify discrepancies that were causing delays.
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Romeo Quest
FYI the WMR tool and transcripts don't always match up. Had a situation last yr where WMR showed nothing but my transcript had the 846 code already. Got my $$ 2 days later. The IRS systems don't talk to each other as well as you'd think.
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Val Rossi
I'm concerned about the implications of having a 570 code without a subsequent 571 release code. Has anyone experienced this? I've been researching what it means for potential audits or extended review periods.
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Eve Freeman
Account Transcript has what you need. It shows all codes and dates. I was confused by all the numbers. Tried taxr.ai last month. It explained every code on my transcript. Showed me exactly what each entry meant. Predicted my refund date correctly. No more guessing what 766, 768, 570 codes mean. Worth checking out if you're trying to decode your transcript.
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Clarissa Flair
I'm a bit nervous about using third-party tools with my tax information. How does this work exactly? Do you have to upload your actual transcript or enter personal information? I'm always cautious about sharing tax details online.
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Caden Turner
I tried it after seeing your comment. I had no idea there were so many technical terms in these transcripts! The 290 code apparently means "additional tax assessed" which was confusing me, but it just showed a $0.00 amount which apparently is normal. The system explained that my 571 code meant my previous hold was released, which the IRS website never clearly stated.
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McKenzie Shade
I was in the same boat as you last year with an amended return. Compared to my friend who just had a regular return, my transcript was like reading a novel while hers was a short story. The Account Transcript is what you want - it shows all the action on your account. In my case, I had codes 570 (refund hold) and 971 (notice issued) before eventually getting the beautiful 846 code with my refund date. The cycle codes were confusing at first, but they're actually helpful once you understand them - they show which processing cycle your return is in.
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Harmony Love
May 4th last year, my transcript finally updated after 7 weeks of waiting. Had the same codes - 570 followed by 971. Called and they said it was just verification. Got my 846 code exactly 2 weeks later. The date next to the 846 was spot on - money hit my account that exact day.
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Rudy Cenizo
This thread is so helpful! I'm printing this out for my sister who's been crying over her amended return delay. She needs to understand it's normal to see these holds and doesn't mean anything's wrong. The emotional toll of waiting for money you're counting on is real!
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Natalie Khan
Account Transcript. That's the one. I check mine every Tuesday and Friday morning. Those are update days. Look for code 846. That's your refund date. I got my 846 code last week. Transcript said April 3rd deposit. Money showed up exactly on that date. The system works.
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Daryl Bright
The Account Transcript contains the Transaction Code History (TCH) which provides a comprehensive timeline of all actions taken on your return. The critical codes to monitor are: - TC 150: Return filed and entered into the Master File system - TC 570: Refund hold placed (temporary) - TC 571: Hold released - TC 768/766: Credit applied (EIC, CTC, etc.) - TC 846: Refund issued (with direct deposit date) The cycle code (e.g., 20241305) indicates when your return was processed. First four digits represent the year (2024), next two digits indicate the processing week (13 = 13th week of the year), and the final digit (5) represents the day of the week (5 = Thursday). Refunds typically appear 5-7 days after the TC 846 posts, though direct deposits often arrive on the exact date specified.
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Sienna Gomez
This is incredibly detailed - thank you! I've been looking everywhere for an explanation of those cycle codes and now it finally makes sense.
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Kirsuktow DarkBlade
If I see code 570 and 971 on the same day, does that usually mean there's a problem or is it part of normal processing?
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Abigail bergen
I had those exact codes appear together on my transcript in February. Turned out they were just verifying my W-2 information. The hold was released (code 571) about 10 days later and I got my refund the following week.
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Ahooker-Equator
Is there a way to tell from the transcript if you're getting interest on your refund? I've been waiting since early February.
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Anderson Prospero
I filed on February 12th and my transcript shows code 570 dated April 8, 2024. Does that mean I won't see my refund until after that date? I was really counting on having this money by the end of March.
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Tyrone Hill
The date on a 570 code isn't necessarily when your refund will be released - it's more of an administrative date for the IRS's internal processing. Many people see their 570 code resolved before that date. Keep checking for a 571 code (hold released) followed by an 846 code (refund issued).
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