Code 846 means the IRS has issued your refund

Code 846 is the IRS's way of saying your refund has been processed and sent out. When you see this code on your tax transcript or in the IRS Where's My Refund tool, it means the money is no longer sitting in the IRS system — it has been released to you through whatever delivery method you chose (direct deposit, check, or debit card).

This is the final step in the refund pipeline. The IRS has approved your return, calculated what you're owed, and handed the money over. What happens next depends on how you asked to receive it.

Key Takeaways

  • Code 846 appears when the IRS has processed your refund and sent it out, but does not mean the money is in your account yet.
  • Direct deposit refunds typically arrive within one to three business days after code 846 appears, though some banks take longer to post.
  • Paper checks take seven to ten business days to arrive by mail after code 846 is issued, depending on postal service speed.
  • You can see code 846 on your IRS transcript or in the Where's My Refund tool, which updates once per day.
  • If code 846 appeared more than a week ago and you still have no money, contact the IRS or your bank to track down the delay.

How long after code 846 until money arrives

The timeline depends on your delivery method. If you chose direct deposit, the IRS sends the refund electronically to your bank, and the money usually shows up within one to three business days. Some banks are slower — a few take up to five business days to post the deposit to your account, even though the IRS sent it faster.

If you chose a paper check, the IRS mails it to the address on your return. Checks typically arrive seven to ten business days after code 846 appears, but this varies by how far you live from the IRS processing center and how busy the postal service is. During tax season peaks or mail delays, add another week.

A refund debit card (if your tax software offered one) works like direct deposit — the IRS loads the money onto the card electronically, and you can usually use it within one to three business days.

Where to see code 846 on your refund status

You can find code 846 in two places. The first is the IRS Where's My Refund tool at irs.gov. Enter your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount, and the tool will show you the current status code. It updates once per day, usually overnight.

The second place is your IRS tax transcript. You can order a free transcript from irs.gov or by calling 1-800-908-9946. The transcript shows every code the IRS assigned to your return, in the order they appeared. Code 846 will be listed with the date it was issued.

Both sources show the same information, but the transcript is a permanent record you can save or print. The Where's My Refund tool is faster if you just need to check status right now.

What code 846 does not tell you

Code 846 means the IRS sent the refund, but it does not tell you exactly when it will land in your account or mailbox. The IRS has no control over how fast your bank posts a deposit or how fast the postal service delivers a check. A code 846 from two days ago might still be in transit.

Code 846 also does not mean there are no problems with your return. In rare cases, the IRS issues a refund and then later discovers an error, freezes the account, or recalls the payment. This is uncommon, but it can happen if you claimed a credit you were not may have access to to or if your identity was flagged during processing.

What to do if code 846 appeared but money has not arrived

Wait at least one week after code 846 appears before taking action. Direct deposit can take up to five business days, and checks can take up to ten. If it has been longer than that, contact your bank first if you chose direct deposit — the money may have been rejected or sent to the wrong account.

If your bank confirms they never received the deposit, or if you chose a check and it has been more than two weeks, contact 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 refund was actually sent and, if so, can issue a replacement check or investigate a missing direct deposit.

For a missing check, the IRS can also place a stop payment and reissue. This takes an additional two to four weeks. If you moved since filing, the check may have gone to your old address — in that case, contact your local post office to see if they can forward it.

Other refund status codes and what they mean

Code 846 is the final code, but you may see others before it. Code 150 means your return was received and accepted. Code 570 means the IRS is reviewing your return — this can take weeks or months. Code 971 means the IRS sent you a notice about your return and needs information from you before they can issue the refund.

If you see code 971, check your mail for an IRS notice. You usually have 30 days to respond. If you do not respond, the IRS will not issue the refund until they hear from you. Once you send the information they asked for, the return goes back into processing and eventually reaches code 846.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does code 846 mean my refund is definitely coming?

Code 846 means the IRS has released the refund, so yes — the money is on its way. In very rare cases the IRS recalls a refund after issuing it if they discover fraud or an error, but this is uncommon. Once code 846 appears, you should receive the money within the timeframe for your delivery method.

Can I see code 846 if I chose a paper check?

Yes. Code 846 appears the same way whether you chose direct deposit or a check. The only difference is how long it takes to reach you after the code appears — checks take longer because they travel by mail.

What if I see code 846 but my bank shows no deposit?

Call your bank and ask if a deposit from the IRS is pending or if it was rejected. If rejected, ask why — common reasons are a closed account, a name mismatch, or a routing number error. If the bank has no record of any IRS deposit, contact the IRS to confirm they sent it to the right account.

How often does the Where's My Refund tool update?

The tool updates once per day, usually between midnight and 6 a.m. Eastern time. Checking multiple times in one day will show the same status. If you checked yesterday and saw code 846, check again today to see if there is a newer code or message.

Can code 846 appear and then disappear?

No. Once code 846 appears, it stays on your transcript. The Where's My Refund tool may stop showing your return after a few weeks because the IRS considers it closed, but the code itself does not disappear from your official tax record.