Code 846 means the IRS has issued your refund, 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 entirely on how you chose to receive it — direct deposit is fastest, a paper check takes longer, and a debit card falls somewhere in between.
The IRS posts code 846 to your transcript when they process your return and authorize the payment. From that moment, the refund is in motion, but the delivery clock starts fresh. A Reddit post saying "I got code 846 three days ago and still no money" is normal. A post saying "I got code 846 six weeks ago and still nothing" means something went wrong.
Key Takeaways
- Code 846 means the IRS issued your refund, not that it arrived in your bank or mailbox.
- Direct deposit refunds typically land within one to three business days after code 846 appears on your transcript.
- Paper checks take seven to ten business days after code 846 to arrive by mail, depending on postal service speed.
- If more than ten business days have passed since code 846 and you chose direct deposit, or more than three weeks for a check, contact the IRS or check your bank for routing errors.
- Code 846 can appear on your transcript before the IRS actually sends the payment, so the date you see it is not always the date they mailed or transferred it.
Direct deposit: one to three business days after code 846
If you chose direct deposit on your tax return, the IRS sends your refund electronically to your bank. Once code 846 shows on your transcript, the transfer is usually complete within one to three business days. This is the fastest method and the most reliable — the money moves through the Federal Reserve's automated clearing house, and banks process these transfers overnight.
The catch: your bank may hold the deposit for an extra day or two, especially if the amount is large or if you have a new account. Check your bank's deposit policy. Some banks also post deposits at different times of day, so a transfer that arrives at 2 a.m. may not show in your app until the next morning.
If code 846 appeared more than three business days ago and the money still has not landed, log into your bank's website or call their customer service line. Ask them to confirm they received the ACH transfer from the IRS. If they did not, the problem is usually a routing number or account number error on your return — you will need to contact the IRS to correct it.
Paper checks: seven to ten business days after code 846
Paper checks move slower because they travel by mail. After code 846 appears, the IRS prints and mails your check. Delivery typically takes seven to ten business days from the date code 846 posts, though this varies by region and postal service delays.
The IRS does not tell you the exact date they mailed the check. Code 846 on your transcript is your only signal that it is on the way. If you are tracking a paper check, count forward ten business days from the date code 846 appeared. If it has not arrived by then, check your mail carefully — refund checks sometimes arrive in plain white envelopes and can be mistaken for junk mail.
If more than three weeks have passed since code 846 and the check has not arrived, the check may have been lost or stolen in the mail. Contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 and provide your Social Security number and return information. They can issue a replacement check or arrange a direct deposit instead.
Debit card refunds: two to five business days after code 846
Some tax software companies and tax preparers offer to deposit your refund onto a temporary debit card. This is faster than a paper check but slower than direct deposit to your own bank account. After code 846 posts, the card is usually funded within two to five business days.
The card issuer (not the IRS) controls the timing. If your code 846 appeared five days ago and the card still shows a zero balance, contact the tax software company or tax preparer who set up the card. They can check whether the IRS sent the money and whether the card processor received it.
When code 846 appears on your transcript but money has not arrived
Reddit threads often show people confused because code 846 is on their transcript but the refund has not landed. This is normal for the first few days. Code 846 means the IRS has authorized the payment, but the actual transfer or mailing takes time after that.
If you chose direct deposit and more than five business days have passed, check your bank account for a pending deposit or a failed transfer notification. If you chose a paper check and more than two weeks have passed, file a missing mail claim with the U.S. Postal Service or contact the IRS directly. If you chose a debit card and more than a week has passed, contact the card issuer.
One common issue: the IRS posts code 846 to your transcript before they actually send the payment. This can create a gap of a few days where code 846 is visible but the money is still processing. This is not an error — it is how the IRS's system works.
How to check your refund status if code 846 is not showing yet
If you do not see code 846 on your transcript, use the IRS's "Where's My Refund?" tool at irs.gov. Enter your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount from your return. The tool updates once per day and will show you the current status code and expected delivery date.
Status codes other than 846 mean your refund is still being processed. Code 570 means the IRS is reviewing your return. Code 971 means they need more information. Code 806 means they are still processing. None of these mean your refund is lost — they mean it has not been issued yet.
Routing number and account number errors that delay code 846
If you provided the wrong routing number or account number on your return, the IRS will still post code 846 to your transcript, but the direct deposit will fail. Your bank will reject the transfer, and the IRS will mail you a paper check instead — adding two to three weeks to your wait time.
You will not receive a notification that this happened. The only way to know is to wait for the check to arrive or to call the IRS and ask them to verify the routing and account number they have on file. If you realize the error before code 846 appears, you can file an amended return with the correct information, though this may delay your refund further.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does code 846 mean my refund is definitely coming?
Yes. Code 846 means the IRS has approved your refund and authorized payment. The money is on the way, but it has not reached your bank or mailbox yet. The only exception is if you provided an incorrect routing or account number — in that case, the direct deposit will fail and a check will be mailed instead.
Can I get my refund faster than the timeline for code 846?
No. Once code 846 posts, the delivery method is locked in. Direct deposit is the fastest option at one to three business days. If you chose a paper check, you cannot change it to direct deposit after the fact. For future years, direct deposit to your own bank account is always faster than any other method.
What if code 846 appeared but my bank says they never received the transfer?
Contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 with your Social Security number and return information. Ask them to verify the routing and account number on file. If it is wrong, they can reissue the refund as a check or correct the information and resend the direct deposit. This usually takes one to two weeks.
How long should I wait before calling the IRS about a missing refund after code 846?
For direct deposit, wait five to seven business days. For a paper check, wait three weeks. For a debit card, wait one week. If the money has not arrived by then, call 1-800-829-1040 or visit your local IRS office with your return and identification.
Can code 846 disappear from my transcript?
No. Once code 846 posts, it stays on your transcript permanently. It is a record that the IRS issued your refund on that date. If you see it and then it vanishes, you are likely looking at a different year's transcript or a different account.