How to Check Your Refund Status When “Where’s My Refund” Stops Updating

Every year, millions of taxpayers find themselves stuck in the same frustrating cycle:
They filed weeks ago, checked Where’s My Refund, and the screen still says:

• “Your tax return is still being processed”
• “We have received your tax return and it is being processed”
• Or worse: no bars, no updates, no deposit date

When WMR stops updating, taxpayers often feel stuck in a refund tracking loop with no answers. But the solution is simple and reliable:

Check your IRS Account Transcript.
Your transcript is the only place where you can see the real refund status, internal review codes, and—most importantly—TC 846, the official “Refund Issued” date.

This guide shows you exactly how to break out of the WMR loop and use your transcript to confirm your refund status within minutes.

Why WMR Fails So Often During Refund Season

WMR is a limited tool. It updates only once per day and depends on several systems syncing correctly. WMR can fail or freeze because:

• IRS security filters hold your return
• Your account is on weekly processing
• Your return triggered identity or income verification
• WMR is overloaded
• The refund has not passed final checks
• A notice was issued (TC 971)

WMR is also blind to many transcript codes, especially refund holds or adjustments.

This is why taxpayers often see no updates even when their transcripts reveal that processing has moved forward.

Why Your IRS Transcript Is More Accurate

Your IRS Account Transcript updates before WMR and includes the actual internal codes the IRS uses to process returns.

Your transcript shows:

• Whether your return has posted
• Whether a hold has been placed
• Whether an adjustment was made
• Whether a notice was sent
• Whether your refund was approved
• When your refund was issued (TC 846)

WMR does not show any of this.

The Three Most Important Transcript Codes for Refund Tracking

When WMR fails, these are the codes that tell the full story.

1. TC 150 – Return Filed

Confirms the IRS has officially posted your tax return.

2. TC 570 – Refund Hold

Means the IRS is reviewing income, credits, dependents, or verification issues.

3. TC 846 – Refund Issued

This is the code you are looking for.
TC 846 is the IRS’s official confirmation that your refund has been approved and is being sent.

Once TC 846 appears, your refund is on the way regardless of what WMR says.

How to Access Your Transcript and Break Out of the WMR Loop

Follow this exact process to see your real refund status:

Step 1: Log In to IRS Online Account

Visit IRS.gov and sign in or create an account.

Step 2: Select “Tax Records”

This section contains all available transcripts.

Step 3: Choose “Account Transcript”

Do not choose Tax Return Transcript—Account Transcript shows processing codes.

Step 4: Scroll to the “Transactions” Section

This is where all activity appears in chronological order.

Step 5: Look for the refund code

You are looking for:

TC 846 – Refund Issued

It will show:

• The posting date
• The amount of the refund
• Confirmation that your refund is on its way

This is the most accurate refund status available anywhere.

What It Means If You See TC 846

If your transcript shows TC 846:

• Your refund is approved
• Your refund has been released
• WMR may update in 24–72 hours
• The deposit date is typically the cycle date or the week after
• You are done—the IRS is finished processing your return

TC 846 overrides anything WMR says.

What It Means If You Do Not See TC 846 Yet

If TC 846 is missing, look for these codes to understand your situation:

TC 152

Generic message about refund processing—normal but not useful.

TC 570 – Additional Account Action Pending

Means your refund is on hold.
No refund can be issued until this hold is lifted.

TC 971 – Notice Issued

IRS is sending you a letter.
Often relates to:

• Identity verification
• Income mismatch
• Dependent questions
• Credit verification

TC 290 – Additional Tax Assessed

IRS reviewed your return and adjusted it.

No codes at all

Your return has not fully posted yet.

Your transcript will always tell you more than WMR.

When Will WMR Update After TC 846?

WMR typically updates:

• Next morning if daily account
• Saturday morning if weekly account
• Sometimes not at all even when refund is already issued

Many taxpayers receive their refund before WMR ever updates.

Why WMR and Transcripts Often Don’t Match

WMR uses a simplified refund system and updates after the IRS master file has already completed processing. Your transcript updates first, because that is where IRS code changes show up internally.

This mismatch creates the illusion that the refund is stuck—but in reality, the transcript shows the true status.

When Your Transcript Is the Only Reliable Source

Use your transcript instead of WMR when:

• WMR is not updating
• WMR shows “Still Processing” for weeks
• WMR loses bars
• WMR shows an error message
• You received a PATH Act delay
• You are a weekly-cycle taxpayer
• IRS sent you a notice (TC 971)
• You have freeze or hold codes

In all these situations, the transcript provides answers WMR cannot.

If Where’s My Refund stalls or stops updating, the IRS Account Transcript is the only accurate way to check your refund status. By reviewing the Transactions section and finding TC 846, you can confirm exactly when your refund is issued—even when WMR is unhelpful, delayed, or completely wrong.

During tax season, the fastest path out of the refund tracking loop is simple:

Trust your transcript, not WMR.