Key Takeaways
- Your transcript's 'processing date' is an estimate of when the IRS will next act on your return - it is not your refund payment date.
- Code 846 (Refund Issued) is the only line that confirms an actual refund date; WMR/IRS2Go should flip to 'Refund Sent' around the same time.
- By law, the IRS cannot issue EITC/ACTC refunds before February 15 each year (the PATH Act hold); the exact release dates shift slightly year to year depending on weekends and holidays.
- If your processing date passes with no 846, common next steps are codes 570 (hold for review), 971 (notice issued), or 420 (examination/audit started) - none of these mean your refund is denied, just delayed.
- For this year's confirmed PATH release dates and the direct-deposit schedule, see our 2026 PATH Refund Status update.
The date listed as your “processing date” on an IRS tax transcript is not your refund date. That distinction trips up more readers than almost anything else on this site, so I want to be direct about it up front: your refund date is whatever shows up next to transaction code 846, not the processing date near the top of the transcript.
I get a version of this question every filing season, especially from people whose refunds are held under the PATH Act while the IRS verifies Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC) claims. Below is how to tell the two dates apart, how the PATH refund release pattern typically plays out, and what it means if you don’t see any movement after your processing date passes.
Processing Date vs. Code 846: The Actual Difference
The processing date on your transcript is tied to your IRS cycle code — it’s essentially the IRS’s internal estimate of the next date it expects to update your account, not a promise about your refund. If the IRS finishes processing by that date, it can end up matching your refund date, but that’s a coincidence, not a guarantee.
Code 846 (Refund Issued) is different. That’s the line with an actual dollar amount and a date, and it means the IRS has approved and scheduled your refund. Once 846 posts, WMR/IRS2Go typically updates to “Refund Sent” within a day or so, and direct deposits usually land within a few business days of the 846 date.
For the full rundown of transcript codes like 150, 806, 766, and 768 with annotated examples, see our companion guide on decoding your IRS transcript.
How the PATH Act Refund Pattern Works
The PATH Act requires the IRS to hold refunds that include the EITC or ACTC until at least February 15 each year, specifically to give the agency time to cross-check income and dependent information against employer filings. When February 15 lands on a weekend or federal holiday, the hold lifts on the next business day instead.
Two dates matter once the hold lifts: the date your WMR/IRS2Go status and transcript update (confirming the hold has been released), and the date your refund is actually paid. These are not the same day — status updates typically arrive first, with direct deposits following roughly a week to ten days later for the earliest batch of filers.
Subscribe or follow us to get updates as this year’s PATH schedule develops.
What It Means If You Don’t See Code 846 Yet
If your processing date has come and gone with no 846 on your transcript, look for these codes instead:
- Code 570 — a hold has been placed on your account, often for a discrepancy in reported income or a credit that needs verification.
- Code 971 — the IRS sent you a notice or letter, usually explaining what triggered the hold or requesting more information.
- Code 420 — an examination (audit) has been opened on your return.
- Code 898 — part or all of your refund is being redirected through the Treasury Offset Program to cover a past-due debt like defaulted student loans or back child support.
None of these codes mean your refund is gone — they mean the IRS needs to finish something before it can post 846. Response times vary widely depending on which code you see and how backed up the relevant IRS unit is.
Two Examples
Priya filed in late January and claimed the EITC. Her transcript shows a processing date of February 23, but by March 1 she still has no 846 — instead, code 570 appeared on February 24. That means her return is under a manual review; she’ll need to wait for either a 971 notice explaining why, or an 846 once the hold clears.
Marcus filed in early February without any PATH-affected credits. His processing date and his 846 date end up being the same day, because his return sailed through without any additional review — a common outcome for simple returns filed outside the PATH-hold credits.
Common Issues to Watch Out For
- Treating the processing date as a guarantee. It’s an internal IRS estimate, not a commitment — plan around your 846 date instead.
- Panicking at the first sign of code 570. It’s common during PATH season and usually resolves within a few weeks; it doesn’t automatically mean an audit.
- Checking your transcript multiple times a day. Transcripts update on a fixed daily or weekly cycle (based on your cycle code) — checking more often just wastes time.
- Confusing your cycle code’s weekly update day with your refund date. A weekly update (cycle codes ending in 05) tells you when your transcript refreshes, not when you’ll be paid.
- Assuming a delay means something was done wrong. Most PATH-season delays are routine income/dependent verification, not a sign of a mistake on your return.
Looking Ahead: 2027 Filing Season
The PATH Act’s February 15 statutory hold applies every filing season, so expect the same basic pattern for returns filed in early 2027: a hold on EITC/ACTC refunds until mid-February, followed by a status-update wave and then a direct-deposit wave roughly a week apart. The exact dates depend on where February 15 falls relative to weekends, and the IRS typically doesn’t confirm specifics until shortly before the season opens.
I’ll publish an updated PATH schedule post once the IRS confirms 2027 dates — subscribe here to get it as soon as it’s out.
Related reading:
- 2026 PATH Refund Status & IRS Release Dates Confirmed
- 2026–2027 IRS Tax Refund Schedule and Direct Deposit Payment Calendar
- When Does the IRS Update My Refund Status on WMR/IRS2Go and My Transcript?
- Decoding The IRS Tax Transcript For Your Refund Payment Status
- Will Ordering an IRS Tax Transcript Help Me Find Out When I’ll Get My Refund?
Hello,
Quick question as to why my transcript has not been updated or seen any changes?
My processing date is given as 05/08/2023 with a cycle code 20231605. No changes in either refund status or transcript (from last Friday and Saturday) even though i am on weekly update schedule. Any insight as to why?? It’s 05/09 10.45 PM EST.
Also i had filed my taxes back in 04/06/23 and had to amend returns on 04/07 even though there was absolutely no changes made to federal. It was to fix an error in my state returns and turbotax took me through both federal and state returns when there was no need for both (no clue why so). Will this delay refunds as I have 977 and 971 codes on my transcript along with the usual 150, 806 and 766 as of 04/15/23. Any advise please.
Thanks!!
180 day review what do I do
Did you happen to find out anything because mine is the same
I have as of date May 15 what’s does that mean and also processing date May 1st,
Code 766 and code 768 with date April 15th 2024 Can someone help
I have n/a on transcript and says still processing I have dependents but no path act notice or code what do thqt mean
Refund issued 846 code Feb 23 2023 nothing been received when will it be sent
did you receive it?
Any updates
I have a processing date of 02.27.23 but 846 -refund issued date of 02.23.23, but i didn’t receive my Direct Deposit today.. will it come on the 27th
Did you get your payment yet???
I have a processing date of 03/06/2023. Why is the date in the future? My return was accepted per HR Block February 12th.
I have that date also mine was accepted Jan 24th. Do you have a deposit date yet.
refund advance w/jackson hewitt. path act–yes. (state refund already rec’d but not quite enough to cover fee repayment) refunds are sent to republic bank, then remainder is dd to serve card. have done this for years without incident. rec’d 5071c, confirmed everything and rep said all was okay and return would be processed as if this hadn’t happened, specifically asked about dd which she confirmed would remain in tact. also said it could take up to 9 weeks for refund. a few days later, status shows refund is to be MAILED but more importantly they keyed the address wrong. neighbor thankfully brought 5071c mail across the street! worried about actual check though. they have 1118 but should be 1113 (correct on return!)
1. can the irs change my refund method, especially without notifying me?
2. what can I do, before 2/27 mail date in system about their address error?
3. how do you know if the check amount will be the original refund amount or if it’s the correct amount w/fees taken out?
thanks y’all-this is something I’ve never been through and with the address error in my irs.gov account now incorrect, along with the bank not receiving/disbursing refund, I’m afraid I’m going to get in trouble.
All my codes are150 with a 2/27/23
806 4/15/23
766 4/14/23
768 4/15/23
570 2/27/23
971 3/6/21
Ive not got anything in the mail or nothing showing up on my irs sign in to notices can anyone help me when i should get my refund these are listed as shown on transcript
Ignore the 2021 item for 971 – this is old. But 570 means the IRS is still processing or holding your return for further review. Need to let that finish and you will get an update (refund or further action). See more on 570 code in this article.
2/22/23 refunds dropped at midnight!
I have a question my tax returns show codes 150, 766, 768 & 971 what does this mean?
I have the same exact codes and dates do you have any update?
Has anyone with a 2/22/23 deposit date received anything yet?
Same thing and dates as mine but I did receive a notice dated for 2-27-2023 a couple days later.. Pretty much saying that this is just a waiting game from here..
Did you get your refund yet?
I HAVE THESE SAME CODES DID THIS EVER GET RESOLVED
Fed 20 (Presidents Day Update) – Deposits are hitting overnight or Wednesday for those who had a DDD for 2/22. Their deposits may be in pending status today as well. Once IRS send those funds your bank (Credit unions and traditional banks) will release it. Ach transfers take a minute to clear. If it’s been pending in your bank since Wednesday or Thursday you most definitely will see it today. Chime and CashApp also hitting. Prepaid cards should’ve been hitting. Sometimes your bank will hold the funds into after the holiday depending on your bank.
I’ve got the 2/13 processing, 2/22 deposit date on transcripts and wmr. I’m using Chime as my bank. They are releasing deposits today, 2/20, is that what I’m reading? Just asking as I have not received my deposit yet. I live in IL if that has any play in anything. Thanks.
Presidents day – federal holiday, so no formal deposits going out. But overnight (2/21) payments will start so you could see it tomorrow morning or 2/22 depending on Chime processing.
Have u got it yet ? I also have chime and 2-22-23 . 2-20-23 was a holiday
Did u get it ?
Is that for everyone with DDD 2/22/2023 because i have not got any news?
If not seeing it today, wait till tomorrow morning as a large batch of payments are expected to go out tonight.
Got yours ?
My transcript has zeros everywhere and does. Pt show a code of refund date under code explanation it say no tax return filed. But I filed my return and it was excepted on February 2. What does this mean?
846 issuing date 02/27/2023?
The date thats on the transcript thats next to processing date says feb 20 for me but my 846 code says Feb 23 and WMR says I should get my refund BY feb 23. Does this mean the irs is releasing the refund on the 20th and my account should have the refund in it by the 23rd?
Don’t worry about processing date. That is internal for IRS. The 23rd on your 846 line matters. So you will get your refund BY then, if not a day or two sooner depending on your financial institution.
I don’t have an 846 code on m ok mines. My transcript have 766 codes twice with the date of April 15 2022. I lost my phone and couldn’t log into my email. I now verify my self with the IRS for my 1040 form. What should I do ?
Go a local IRS office – book an appointment first. See more in this article
I have a 570 but then after that a 768. What does that mean and does it mean they have continued the process since 768 is after 570 code?
Code 768 indicates an earned income credit amount. It doesn’t have much bearing on other times. 570 means under further review. You will likely get a 971 (notice) with possibly some additional action (e.g ID verification) unless IRS can auto resolve, Just have to wait, but processing will happen now that PATH act has lifted.
I hope I get my text
i have code 152.. wat does it mean?.
I have code 152 what does it mean?.
846 issues date 02/23/2023 what’s this?
That’s the date you should get your refund by. Congrats
did you get your refund?
What you find me
I Can make any thing’s ok
When will I get my payment
I have a code of 570 but haven’t got no notices.. I had to do the ID verification in 2020 and i didn’t get my tax return till 5 months later I’m praying this isn’t it and Something else.
Could be just further validation by IRS that is causing delays. With PATH lifting, more information should be forthcoming in the coming days.
What if you still on the path act
IRS is processing in batches. PATH act has lifted so for those returns verified by the IRS, payments will be coming in a series of batches over the next week. Where there are issues, a notice or adjustment will be made by the IRS. Pay attention to your transcript, WMR and any IRS notices. I’ll also post further updates on this site.
My transcript says N/A what does that mean.
See this article for what N/A means to your transcript. Basically just means return not yet processed by the IRS.
When I go to check my refund the (PATH) message still comes up I just checked it and the PATH message is still there I thought it was lifted so why am I still seeing it?
Give it a few more days…processing is happening in batches.
Some oc my people are seeing 847 dates like 2/23/2023 will they get the funds Wed or Thurs
I meant 846 issue dates of 02-23-2023
Well if it says 02/22/23 then it will be Wednesday. Now, if it says 02/23/23 then it will be Thursday… As long as the code reads, 846…
I have a code 152 what does that mean
Means the IRS is still processing. Hang tight. See more in this article, What does code 152 mean?
No
I have code 154 what does that mean?
Are you sure 154? Or do you mean 152. See related comment in this thread.
Why do i have a 810 refund freeze
See What 810 means in this article. Means your refund is frozen and could require a further ID check.
I have 810 with 02/20/23
And 420 with 02/03/23
Unfortunately these are not great codes to see. 810 means refund freeze (see this article) and 420 means your return held for further examination and potential audit (see more here)
I have no code so what should I do
I haven’t received none of my stimulus checks nor my income tax from 2020to 2021.
I’ve made an appointment with Jackson Hewitt tax
They say my income tax and stimulus checks are on hold.
I’m going to finish signing up paper work on Saturday February 18, 2023.
I have a new direct deposit routing number and account number I have not received stimulus $816 students $1,400 finish 600 up what should I do
You need to update your DD details with the IRS. Did you update this in your latest refund. Also see this article on how to correct your bank account information.