It is the Sunday night ritual for millions of TurboTax, H&R Block, and TaxSlayer users. You finally got your 846 Refund Issued code for February 25, 2026. You know the money is coming.
But because you chose to pay your tax preparation fees out of your refund, you have an extra step. You frantically log into the Santa Barbara Tax Products Group (SBTPG) website to track the money.
You see a big red circle: “Unfunded.”
The Bottom Line: Put your phone down. This is completely normal for a Sunday night. TPG is a bank, and banks do not process transfers on weekends. If your IRS deposit date is Wednesday, Feb 25, your TPG status likely won’t flip to “Funded” until Tuesday morning.
Here is the exact timeline of how your money moves from the Treasury to your pocket this week.
The “Pass-Through” Process Explained
When you pay fees from your refund, the IRS does not send the money to you. They send it to TPG’s temporary account.
- IRS Sends Cash: The Treasury initiates the transfer (dated for Feb 25).
- TPG Receives It: They deduct the TurboTax/Block fees ($40-$100).
- TPG Sends the Rest: They initiate a new ACH transfer to your personal bank (Chime, Chase, Wells Fargo).
Why Sunday is “Unfunded” Day
The IRS computer (Master File) works on weekends. The banking system (ACH) does not.
Even though the IRS said “Go” on Saturday, TPG’s automated system won’t officially “see” that incoming pending deposit until banking hours resume on Monday.
Do NOT worry if:
- WMR shows “Sent” but TPG shows “Unknown.”
- The “Expected Amount” on TPG matches your refund, but the status is grey.
The TPG Timeline: What to Watch
Here is when you should actually expect the circle to turn green.
| Day | Status | What Is Happening? |
| Sunday, Feb 22 | Unfunded | Banks are closed. IRS data is queued. |
| Monday, Feb 23 | Unfunded | TPG receives the “Pending” file from the Fed. |
| Tuesday, Feb 24 | FUNDED | (The Big Day) TPG takes fees and releases the rest. |
| Wednesday, Feb 25 | Deposit | The money hits your actual bank account. |
Exceptions: The “Early” Banks
If you bank with Chime, Cash App, or Varo, you might get lucky.
Sometimes, TPG releases the funds immediately on Tuesday afternoon. Because FinTech banks don’t hold deposits, you might see that money Tuesday night (Feb 24) instead of Wednesday morning.
One Warning:
If TPG still says “Unfunded” by Wednesday afternoon, then you have a problem.
- Check: Did the IRS reduce your refund (Offset)? If the amount sent is less than the fees you owe, TPG will hold the money and issue a paper check for the difference.
- Verify: Check the official TPG Taxpayer Portal only once a day to avoid locking your account.
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
“From Washington to Wall Street, and Main Street to Hollywood—Evan Cole connects the dots.”
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