Where the IRS puts your refund date on the transcript

Your refund date appears on the IRS Account Transcript under a line labeled "as of" or in a section showing transaction codes. The specific line you need is code 846, which the IRS uses to record refund payments. When you request a transcript, the IRS will show you the date the refund was issued — not when it will arrive in your account, but when the IRS sent it out.

The Account Transcript is different from a Tax Return Transcript. The Account Transcript shows what the IRS has processed and paid; the Tax Return Transcript shows what you filed. You need the Account Transcript to see refund status. Both are free, but only one tells you what you want to know.

The transcript will also show whether the IRS applied your refund to a debt, held it for an offset, or sent it to you. If code 846 does not appear, the IRS has not yet processed your refund, and you should check back in a few days.

Key Takeaways

  • Request an Account Transcript (not a Tax Return Transcript) from the IRS to see your refund date and payment status.
  • Look for transaction code 846 on the Account Transcript — this is the line that shows when the IRS issued your refund.
  • You can order a free transcript online through IRS.gov, by phone at 1-800-908-9946, or by mail using Form 4506-C.
  • The date on code 846 is when the IRS sent the refund, not when it will land in your bank account — allow three to five business days after that date for delivery.
  • If code 846 does not appear, your refund has not been processed yet; check back after a few days or use the IRS Where's My Refund tool instead.

How to order your Account Transcript from the IRS

The fastest way is online through IRS.gov. Go to the IRS website, find the "Get Your Transcript" section, and select "Online" under the Account Transcript option. You will need to verify your identity using either a credit card, mobile phone account, or loan account number. The transcript downloads immediately as a PDF.

If you do not want to verify online, you can call the IRS at 1-800-908-9946 and request an Account Transcript by phone. The IRS will mail it to you within five to ten business days. You can also mail Form 4506-C to your local IRS office — the form lists the address for your state — and request the Account Transcript that way. Mail delivery takes longer, usually ten to fifteen business days.

The transcript is free no matter which method you use. Do not pay a third-party website to order it for you; the IRS does not charge, and third-party services add delay and cost.

Reading the numbers and dates on your transcript

The Account Transcript is laid out in columns: a date column, a transaction code column, and an amount column. Find the row with code 846. The date next to it is when the IRS issued your refund. That date is your answer.

You may also see code 768, which means the IRS applied part or all of your refund to a debt — usually a past-due tax bill, student loan, or child support obligation. Code 570 means the IRS held your refund pending review. Code 971 means the IRS sent you a notice about your return. If you see 768 or 570 instead of 846, your refund was delayed or redirected, and you should read the notice the IRS sent or contact them to learn why.

The transcript also shows your account balance at the top. If your balance is zero or negative (showing a credit), that means the IRS has processed your return and either sent your refund or applied it elsewhere. A positive balance means you still owe tax.

The difference between issue date and arrival date

The date on code 846 is the issue date — when the IRS sent the refund out. It is not the arrival date. If the IRS issued your refund on March 15, you should expect it in your bank account or mailbox by March 20, assuming no delays in the banking system.

Direct deposit refunds usually land within three to five business days of the issue date. Paper checks take longer — typically seven to ten business days from the issue date, sometimes longer if the check is mailed to a forwarding address or if postal delays occur. Weekends and federal holidays do not count as business days.

If the issue date on your transcript is more than ten business days in the past and you have not received the refund, contact the IRS or your bank. Your bank can check whether the deposit was sent and rejected; the IRS can confirm the issue date and payment method.

What to do if code 846 does not appear on your transcript

If you see no code 846, the IRS has not yet issued your refund. This is normal if you filed recently — the IRS typically takes twenty-one days to process a return and issue a refund, longer if your return requires review. Check your transcript again in a few days.

If your return was filed more than twenty-one days ago and code 846 still does not appear, use the IRS Where's My Refund tool at IRS.gov instead. This tool is updated daily and will tell you whether your refund is still being processed, held for review, or sent. It is faster than waiting for a new transcript.

If Where's My Refund says your refund is still processing after forty-five days, or if it shows an error, call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 and speak to a representative. Bring your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount from your return.

Reading your transcript if you filed jointly or amended your return

If you filed a joint return, both spouses' names appear on the transcript, but only one Social Security number is listed as the primary account. The refund date applies to both of you. If the refund was split between two accounts (for example, one spouse's account and one joint account), the transcript will show separate code 846 entries for each deposit, with different dates and amounts.

If you filed an amended return using Form 1040-X, you will have two transcripts — one for your original return and one for the amended return. The refund date on the amended return transcript is the one that matters. The original transcript will show the original refund or a code indicating it was adjusted by an amendment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see my refund date without ordering a transcript?

Yes. Use the IRS Where's My Refund tool at IRS.gov, which updates daily and shows your refund status without ordering a transcript. It will tell you the expected delivery date if your refund has been issued. The tool is faster than ordering a transcript if you just need a date.

What if my transcript shows code 570 instead of 846?

Code 570 means the IRS is holding your refund pending review — usually because of a discrepancy on your return, a missing document, or a fraud check. The IRS will send you a notice explaining why. Check your mail and your IRS online account. Do not contact the IRS until you receive the notice; calling early will not speed up the review.

Does the issue date on code 846 mean the money is in my account?

No. Code 846 is the date the IRS sent the refund, not the date it arrived. Allow three to five business days after the issue date for direct deposit, or seven to ten business days for a paper check. If more time has passed and you have not received it, contact your bank or the IRS.

Why does my transcript show two different refund dates?

This usually happens if you filed an amended return or if the IRS split your refund between two accounts. Check whether one date is from your original return and one from an amended return, or whether the amounts add up to your total refund. If you cannot tell, call the IRS at 1-800-908-9946 and ask them to explain the entries.

Is the Account Transcript the same as my tax return?

No. The Account Transcript shows what the IRS has processed and paid; your tax return shows what you filed. The Account Transcript is what you need to see refund status. If you need to see what you actually filed, order a Tax Return Transcript instead.