Code 846 means the IRS has issued your refund, but it is not in your account yet
When you see code 846 on your IRS transcript, the IRS has processed your return and sent the refund out. This is not the same as the money landing in your bank account or arriving by check. Code 846 is the moment the IRS releases the funds — what happens next depends on how you chose to receive the money.
The time between code 846 and the money reaching you typically ranges from three to five business days for direct deposit, or up to two weeks for a paper check. If you chose a debit card refund, timing varies by the card issuer. The IRS does not control the final step — your bank, the mail service, or the card company does.
You can see code 846 on your IRS transcript by logging into IRS.gov, calling the IRS at 1-800-829-1040, or using the IRS2Go mobile app. The transcript shows the date the code was posted, which is your starting point for calculating when to expect the money.
Key Takeaways
- Code 846 means the IRS has released your refund, but the money has not yet reached your bank, mailbox, or card account.
- Direct deposit refunds typically arrive three to five business days after code 846 appears on your transcript.
- Paper checks take up to two weeks after code 846, depending on mail delivery time in your area.
- You can check your transcript on IRS.gov, by phone, or through the IRS2Go app to see the exact date code 846 was posted.
- If the money does not arrive within the expected window, contact your bank or the IRS to investigate a possible delivery problem.
How long direct deposit takes after code 846
Direct deposit is the fastest route. Once code 846 appears on your transcript, the IRS has sent the refund electronically to your bank. Your bank then processes the incoming transfer, which usually takes three to five business days. Some banks post refunds faster — occasionally within one or two business days — but three to five is the standard window.
The clock starts on the date code 846 was posted, not the date you see it on your transcript. If code 846 shows a date of March 15, count three to five business days from March 15. That means the money should land by March 20 or March 22, depending on weekends and bank holidays. If your bank is closed on a holiday, the deposit may arrive the next business day.
If you do not see the deposit by day five, log into your bank account and check whether the transfer is pending. Some banks show incoming transfers as "pending" before they post. If nothing appears, contact your bank with the code 846 date and ask them to trace the incoming wire.
How long paper checks take after code 846
Paper checks move slower because they travel through the mail. After code 846 is posted, the IRS prints and mails your check. This step alone takes a few days. Once the check enters the mail system, delivery depends on your location — urban areas typically receive mail within five to seven days, while rural areas may take longer.
The total window is usually seven to fourteen days after code 846. If code 846 was posted on March 15, expect the check to arrive between March 22 and March 29. Delays happen during high-volume periods (April and May) or if the IRS processes your return late in the filing season.
If you do not receive the check within two weeks of the code 846 date, contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 with your transcript showing the code 846 date. The IRS can tell you whether the check was mailed and request a replacement if it was lost in transit.
Refund advance cards and other delivery methods
Some tax preparation companies offer refund advance cards — debit cards that receive your refund instead of your bank account. These cards are issued by third-party financial institutions, not the IRS. After code 846 is posted, the IRS sends the refund to the card issuer, not directly to you.
Timing varies by card issuer. Some post refunds within one to two business days of receiving the transfer from the IRS. Others take three to five business days. Check the documentation from your tax preparation company or the card issuer for their specific timeline. If you do not have that information, call the customer service number on the back of the card.
A small number of people receive refunds by mail as a paper check issued by the IRS, but also choose to have it sent to a tax preparation company's address rather than their own home. In those cases, the company receives the check and deposits it into a holding account before sending it to you. This adds extra time — sometimes an additional week or more.
What to do if the money does not arrive on time
Start by confirming the code 846 date on your transcript. Log into IRS.gov, go to "View Your Tax Account," and pull up your transcript. Write down the exact date code 846 appears. Then count forward the expected number of days based on your delivery method.
If you chose direct deposit and it is past day five with no deposit, contact your bank first. Give them the code 846 date and ask whether an incoming transfer from the IRS is pending or whether they have a record of receiving it. Banks can trace incoming wires and tell you if something went wrong on their end.
If your bank has no record of the transfer, or if you chose a paper check and it has not arrived after fourteen days, call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040. Have your Social Security number, filing status, and the code 846 date ready. The IRS can confirm whether the refund was sent and, if so, investigate why it did not arrive. If the check was lost, the IRS can issue a replacement.
Why code 846 does not mean your refund is complete
Code 846 is a milestone, but it is not the finish line. The IRS has approved your return and released the money, but the delivery is still in progress. This distinction matters because people sometimes see code 846 and assume the refund is already in their account — then panic when it is not there the next day.
Other codes appear on your transcript before code 846. Code 150 means the return was received and accepted. Code 290 means the IRS has reviewed it and approved the refund amount. Code 846 comes after those and means the refund has been issued. After code 846, you may see code 971 or other codes related to the delivery method or any adjustments the IRS made.
Understanding the sequence helps you know what to expect. If you see code 150 but not code 846 yet, the return is still being processed. Once code 846 appears, you know the approval is done and the money is on its way.
Checking your transcript for code 846
The IRS transcript is the official record of your refund status. You can view it three ways: online at IRS.gov, by phone, or through the IRS2Go app. The online method is fastest and shows the most detail.
To check online, go to IRS.gov and select "View Your Tax Account." You will need to log in with your Social Security number and either create an account or use an existing one. Once logged in, select the tax year you want to check and view your account transcript. Scroll down to find the transaction codes. Code 846 will show the date it was posted.
By phone, call 1-800-829-1040 and follow the prompts for automated refund information. You will need your Social Security number and filing status. The automated system can tell you whether code 846 has been posted, though it does not always show the exact date. For more detail, ask to speak with a representative.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days after code 846 should I expect my direct deposit?
Direct deposit typically arrives three to five business days after code 846 is posted on your transcript. Some banks process faster and deposit within one or two days. Count business days only — weekends and federal holidays do not count. If five business days have passed with no deposit, contact your bank to trace the incoming transfer.
Can code 846 be posted but the refund still rejected?
No. Code 846 means the IRS has approved the refund and released the funds. Once that code appears, the money is on its way to you through your chosen delivery method. The IRS will not recall or reject a refund after posting code 846.
What if I see code 846 but my bank says they never received the transfer?
This is rare but can happen if you provided an incorrect bank account number on your return. Contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 with your transcript showing code 846. The IRS can investigate whether the transfer was sent to the wrong account and issue a replacement check or correct the account information for a new transfer attempt.
Does code 846 mean I will get my refund by a specific date?
Code 846 tells you when the IRS released the refund, but not an exact delivery date. From that date, add three to five business days for direct deposit or seven to fourteen days for a paper check. Delays can occur during peak tax season or if mail is slow in your area, so these are estimates, not guarantees.
Can I see code 846 on my transcript if I filed electronically?
Yes. Code 846 appears on transcripts for all refunds, regardless of how you filed. Electronic filing does not speed up code 846 — it appears based on when the IRS processes and approves your return, which can take several weeks even for e-filed returns.