The “Where’s My Refund” (WMR) tool finally updated overnight, and for millions of families who have been holding their breath since late January, the news is good.
The Bottom Line: If you claimed the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC), the federally mandated “PATH Act” hold officially lifted this past weekend. As of February 22, 2026, the first major wave of 846 (Refund Issued) codes has been posted.
If your transcript shows a deposit date of February 25, 2026, the money is on its way. Here is the breakdown of what the latest update means for your bank account this week.
The “Mass Update” Timeline
For weeks, early filers have been staring at the “Path Act Message” on the WMR tool. That message is now gone.
- Friday, Feb 20: Transcripts updated for weekly accounts (Cycle 05).
- Saturday, Feb 21: The WMR tool updated to “Refund Approved” (2nd Bar).
- Wednesday, Feb 25: The official direct deposit date for most major banks.
Q: My WMR Still Says “Received.” Did I Miss It?
A: Not necessarily.
The IRS processes returns in daily and weekly batches. If you are a “Weekly” filer (your cycle code ends in 05) and you didn’t update this weekend, you likely fell into a manual review queue.
Check your 2025 Account Transcript for these codes:
- Code 570: Additional Account Action Pending (A freeze/hold).
- Code 971: Notice Issued (A letter is coming).
- Code 420: Examination Indicator (Audit).
2026 Deposit Estimates
Based on the data released this weekend, here is when you can expect funds to hit your specific bank.
| Bank Type | Likely Deposit Day (for 2/25 Date) |
| Chime / Cash App / Varo | Monday, Feb 23 (Afternoon) |
| Credit Unions (NFCU/USAA) | Tuesday, Feb 24 |
| Major Banks (Chase/WF/BoA) | Wednesday, Feb 25 (Morning) |
| Walmart MoneyCard | Monday, Feb 23 (Evening) |
Important Warning:
If you chose to have your tax preparation fees (from TurboTax, H&R Block, etc.) deducted from your refund, your money goes to a third-party bank (TPG) first. This often adds 12 to 24 hours to the deposit time.
Check your status directly at the Official IRS Refund Portal.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or legal advice. Always consult official government resources.
Evan Cole Editor-in-Chief | Breaking News & Public Policy
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