The hidden IRS transcript indicators that signal a refund is coming

Most taxpayers only know the big codes:

• TC 150 (Return Filed)
• TC 570 (Hold)
• TC 846 (Refund Issued)

But there’s a hidden side of IRS transcript processing — subtle positive codes that quietly confirm the IRS has finalized your return and is preparing to issue your refund.

Once you see these codes, your refund is no longer theoretical — it’s imminent.

Here are the 5 most overlooked—but powerful—refund-positive codes.

1. TC 840 – Manual Refund Issued

This is one of the rarest and most reassuring codes.
TC 840 means the IRS has manually authorized a refund check.

This usually happens when:

• a direct deposit fails
• the bank rejects the payment
• there is a name or account mismatch
• the IRS overrides standard processing

It’s the IRS saying:
“We’re cutting you a check by hand.”

Once TC 840 posts, the check is already queued for printing and mailing.

2. TC 291 – Decrease in Tax Assessed

This code can confuse people, but it’s actually very positive.

If you see TC 291, it means:

• The IRS reviewed your return
• Determined you owe LESS tax than originally calculated
• Your refund is being increased

Example:
Originally the IRS thought you owed $500,
but after correction, you owe $0.
That difference goes back into your refund.

TC 291 often appears right before TC 846.

3. TC 776 – Earned Income Credit Allowed by Examination

This code means the IRS validated and approved your Earned Income Tax Credit after review.

Often these reviews are triggered by:

• dependent verification
• income verification
• potential mismatch alerts

Once TC 776 is posted:
Your EITC is locked in and guaranteed

This is often the final approval before refund release.

4. TC 776 / TC 766 Combo – Double Confirmation

When you see BOTH:

• TC 766 – Credit to Your Account
  AND
• TC 776 – EITC Allowed

your refund calculation is complete.

The amounts are final.
The IRS will not reduce them further.
The next logical move is TC 846.

This pairing is a strong “refund inbound” signal.

5. TC 892 – Reversal of Erroneous Credit Transfer

If you see TC 892, it may sound negative — but it’s not.
It actually means:

• A previous IRS error has been corrected
• Funds that were wrongly diverted are now moving back
• Your refund amount is being restored

This code often appears after mistaken offsets or misapplied payments.

In many cases, people see TC 892 and think: “Why is something being reversed?”

Because the IRS is fixing an internal accounting error in your favor.

What These Codes All Have in Common

They indicate that:

• the IRS has completed review
• calculations have settled
• your credits are validated
• final refund numbers are established
• your refund is on a path to issuance

These codes are final-stage processing indicators.

They appear only after:

• income verification
• SSN validation
• dependent validation
• withholding matching
• fraud screening

Once you see them — your return is out of audit risk and hold risk.

The Final Code You’re Waiting For

All these secret codes culminate in:

TC 846 – Refund Issued

This is the confirmation that:

• Treasury has released your money
• The payment has been transmitted
• It’s either on the way to your bank or being printed as a paper check

When TC 846 shows up, the waiting is over.

How to Check for These Codes

You will NOT see them on:

• tax software
• H&R Block or TurboTax portals
• bank deposit timelines
• even “Where’s My Refund?”

You MUST view:
Your IRS Account Transcript at IRS.gov/transcripts

Look under the “Transactions” section.
This is where the truth lives.

A $0 balance means nothing.
A “processing” WMR message means nothing.
A missing refund status means nothing.

But these internal codes?
They are signals from inside the IRS mainframe confirming your refund is finalizing.

Seeing TC 840, TC 291, TC 776, or TC 892 is like hearing the IRS whisper:
“Get ready — the refund is coming.”