Code 846 means your refund has been issued, but you don't have it yet

Code 846 is the IRS's way of saying "we approved your refund and sent it out." It does not mean the money is in your account. The time between code 846 and the money landing depends on how you chose to receive it — direct deposit is faster than a check, and both can be delayed by your bank or the mail.

When you see code 846 on your IRS transcript or in the IRS2Go app, the refund has left the IRS. From that point, you are waiting on the delivery method, not on the IRS to process anything else.

Key Takeaways

  • Code 846 means the IRS has issued your refund; it does not mean you have received it yet.
  • Direct deposit refunds typically arrive within one to five business days after code 846 appears.
  • Paper checks take seven to fourteen business days after code 846, depending on mail speed and your location.
  • Your bank may hold the deposit for one to three business days even after it arrives, especially if the amount is large or your account is new.
  • If your refund does not arrive within the expected window, contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 or check Where's My Refund for an updated status.

Direct deposit refunds after code 846

If you chose direct deposit on your tax return, the IRS sends the refund electronically to your bank as soon as code 846 appears. Most banks post the deposit within one to five business days. The IRS does its part in hours; the delay is almost always your bank's processing time.

Some banks hold large deposits for verification, especially if your account is new or the refund is significantly larger than your usual deposits. A hold can add one to three business days. If your bank holds the money, you should see a notification in your account or a hold message in your online banking portal.

Weekends and bank holidays extend the timeline. If code 846 appears on a Friday, your bank may not process the deposit until Monday, pushing arrival to Wednesday or Thursday. If code 846 appears the day before a holiday, add an extra day or two.

Paper check refunds after code 846

Paper checks take longer because they travel by mail. After code 846 appears, the IRS prints and mails your check. You should receive it within seven to fourteen business days, depending on where you live and mail speed in your area.

Checks mailed to addresses in major cities often arrive in seven to ten business days. Rural addresses and addresses far from IRS processing centers can take up to fourteen business days or slightly longer. The IRS does not control mail delivery time once the check leaves their facility.

If you do not receive your check within fourteen business days of code 846, contact the IRS. They can verify the check was mailed and may issue a replacement if it was lost.

What to do if your refund does not arrive on time

After code 846 appears, check your account or mailbox daily. For direct deposit, log into your bank's website or app and look for the deposit. For checks, watch your mail. If the expected window passes and you have nothing, take action.

Use the IRS's Where's My Refund tool at irs.gov to confirm code 846 is still showing and to see if a new status has appeared. If the tool shows code 846 but your money has not arrived, call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040. Have your Social Security number, filing status, and the refund amount ready. The IRS can tell you whether the check was mailed, whether the direct deposit was sent, and whether your bank received it.

If your bank received a direct deposit but you do not see it, contact your bank's customer service. Ask whether the deposit is on hold, whether it was rejected, or whether there was an error with your account number. Banks can reverse deposits or reissue them if something went wrong.

Refunds issued to a closed or wrong account

If you provided the wrong bank account number on your return, the IRS may have sent the direct deposit to an account that does not belong to you or to an account you have since closed. Code 846 will still appear, but the money will not reach you.

Contact your bank immediately if the account is closed. Some banks return misdirected deposits to the IRS automatically; others hold them. The IRS can issue a replacement check or attempt a new direct deposit if you provide the correct account information. This process takes an additional two to four weeks.

If the account belongs to someone else, that person's bank will likely return the deposit to the IRS. You will then receive a check or a new direct deposit attempt to the correct account. Document everything in writing with the IRS if this happens.

State refunds and code 846

State refunds use different tracking systems and do not use code 846. If you are waiting for both a federal and a state refund, track them separately. The federal refund may arrive weeks before or after your state refund, depending on when each agency processed your return.

Check your state's tax authority website for state refund status. Most states have their own "Where's My Refund" tool. State refunds typically take two to eight weeks after the return is filed, but this varies widely by state and by whether you chose direct deposit or a check.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does code 846 mean I will get my refund today?

No. Code 846 means the IRS has issued the refund, but delivery takes additional time. Direct deposit usually arrives within one to five business days; checks take seven to fourteen business days. Your bank may add another one to three days if it holds the deposit.

What if code 846 disappeared from my transcript?

Code 846 should remain on your transcript permanently as a record that the refund was issued. If it has disappeared and been replaced with a different code, check what the new code says. Some codes indicate a problem or a reversal. Contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 if you are unsure what happened.

Can I speed up my refund after code 846 appears?

No. Once the IRS has issued the refund (code 846), the timeline is controlled by your bank or the mail service. You cannot make direct deposit faster or make a check arrive sooner. The only way to avoid delays is to choose direct deposit on your next return instead of a paper check.

What if my bank says they never received the direct deposit?

Contact the IRS and ask them to confirm the direct deposit was sent and to which account. If the IRS confirms it was sent but your bank says it was never received, ask your bank to investigate with their Federal Reserve contact. The IRS can also issue a replacement check if the deposit cannot be located.

How do I know if my check was lost in the mail?

Wait at least fourteen business days after code 846 appears. If you still have not received it, contact the IRS. They can confirm the check was mailed and can issue a replacement. You will need to provide your address and the refund amount. A replacement check typically takes two to three weeks.