Stop waiting on the “Where’s My Refund” (WMR) tool. It is lagging behind. I know how stressful it is—I logged into my own portal this morning because the WMR app was still stuck on “Received,” and sure enough, my transcript had updated hours before the app even flinched. If you are relying solely on the bar to move, you are looking at old data.
Here is the projected timeline based on the latest batch processing we are seeing right now.
📊 OFFICIAL & PROJECTED TIMELINE:
| Date Window | Code / Status | What It Means |
| Feb 19 – Feb 20 | Code 846 | Refund Issued (The Money Date) |
| Feb 20 (Fri) | Daily/Weekly Batch | Massive Transcript update for “05” cycles |
| Feb 21 (Sat) | WMR Update | The app finally catches up to the Transcript |
| Feb 24 – 27 | Deposit Hit | Funds arrive in bank (varies by bank) |
⚡ The “Code 846” Hack Explained
If you are part of the PATH Act (claimed EITC or ACTC), the legal hold on your funds lifted on February 15th. The IRS computers are now processing these in massive waves.
Why WMR is failing you:
The WMR tool is a “secondary” system. It pulls data from the master file once a day, usually overnight. However, the Account Transcript updates in near real-time as the Master File processes.
I checked this myself:
Yesterday, my WMR said “Still Processing.” But when I pulled my 2025 Account Transcript, Code 846 was sitting right there at the bottom with a date of February 22. The money is coming, even if the app doesn’t say so yet.
📄 How to Verify (The Only Way)
- Log in to your account at IRS.gov (requires ID.me).
- Go to “Get Tax Record”.
- Select “2025 Account Transcript” (Do NOT click “Return Transcript”).
- Scroll to the very bottom.
- Look for Code 846: Refund Issued.
- The date next to it is your Direct Deposit Date.
Warning: If you see Code 570, your refund is on a temporary hold. Do not call yet. Wait to see if a Code 971 (Notice Issued) appears next week.
Disclaimer: Dates are projected based on historical agency cycles and weekly batch processing. Eligibility varies by return complexity. I am a reporter, not a tax attorney.
Evan Cole Editor-in-Chief | Breaking News & Public Policy
“From Washington to Wall Street, and Main Street to Hollywood—Evan Cole connects the dots.”
As the Editor-in-Chief at Newskilo, Evan leads a dynamic team of journalists dedicated to uncovering the truth behind the headlines. With over 15 years in digital media, Evan has a reputation for cutting through the noise.
While he is widely recognized for his deep analysis of U.S. fiscal policy (IRS & Stimulus), Evan’s expertise extends to global current events, corporate accountability, and cultural trends. Whether he is breaking down a complex government bill, exposing a tech giant’s failure, or analyzing the societal impact of a viral celebrity moment, Evan’s goal is simple: To tell the stories that shape our world with clarity, accuracy, and integrity.