IRS Code 846: All You Need to Know in 2024 + FAQs (2024)

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IRS Code 846: All You Need to Know in 2024 + FAQs (1)

Lana Dolyna, EA, CTC

Senior Tax Advisor

An IRS Code 846 on your transcript means that the IRS has issued you a refund for your tax return. You can use the cycle code to determine the approximate date that you will receive your refund, or you can use the Where’s My Refund tool to get a more accurate date.

What is IRS Code 846?

An IRS Code 846 indicates that the IRS has finished processing your return and approved a refund on your tax return. The amount shown on the line will detail your refund amount. If the amount does not match the amount you claimed on your return, you will need to wait for an explanation letter from the IRS about the difference.

The amount shown on the transcript will also include any interest the IRS owes you on your refund. The refund is calculated as your total tax liability less any credits on your account (for federal income taxes withheld or estimated tax payments) plus any interest due to you.

When Will My Refund Arrive?

Once you see a code 846 on your transcript, your refund will be processed. The timing of your refund will depend on whether you asked for a direct deposit refund or a check. If you requested a check, you should receive it within 3-4 weeks. Direct deposit refunds usually take 2-3 weeks. You can receive more specific timing for your refund by checking the Where’s My Refund tool.

Additional Codes Next to Code 846?

There are several additional codes that appear next to Code 846 that you should understand.

Code 898

If you see a Code 898, this means that at least part of your refund is being applied to outstanding non-IRS debt. These debts could be almost any type of outstanding, delinquent debt, but they are most often related to student loans, state income taxes, and child support.

Code 899

Code 899 will appear on your transcript if you had a portion of your refund applied to non-IRS debt. Code 898 will show the full amount of the refund being applied to the debt and Code 899 will show the portion of the refund that is greater than the amount of your debt. You will receive the amount shown on this line as a refund.

IRS Code 570 indicates that your return is on hold for an IRS review. You do not need to do anything until the hold in released.

Code 841

IRS Code 841 indicates that your direct deposit refund was rejected by the financial institution because the information that the IRS had on file did not match the financial institution’s information.

What Does the Date Next to Code 846 Mean?

The date next to Code 846 is the date that the IRS sent your refund. If you are receiving your refund via direct deposit, this is the date that the direct deposit was initiated by the IRS.

It can still take several days for the refund to appear in your account. If you are getting a refund by check, this is the date that the IRS printed the check. It will take several additional days to receive the refund since it’s by mail.

Something's Wrong? Contact the IRS

If you disagree with the items on your account transcript, you can contact the IRS to discuss the matter. You have several options for resolving issues.

Call the IRS

You can call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 and speak with an agent. The IRS often has very long wait times (usually 2-3 hours). An agent may be able to resolve your issue over the phone or they may request that you provide written documentation to resolve your matter.

Contact Your Local IRS Office

You can make an appointment at a local IRS office to meet with an agent. You should bring a written explanation of why the IRS is incorrect and supporting documentation for your claim.

Contact the Taxpayer Advocate Service

The Taxpayer Advocate Service is a department within the IRS that specializes in helping resolve taxpayer issues when they have been unable to get a resolution through the normal process.

Contact a Tax Professional

Suppose you’ve contacted the IRS and have not been able to successfully fix your problems. In that case, you should contact a tax professional such as the experienced professionals at Tax Shark that can walk you through the process and help your resolve your issue.

FAQs

Here are the answers to some common questions about the IRS Code 846.

Yes. An IRS Code 846 on your transcript is extremely accurate.

Yes. Code 846 indicates that a refund has been issued by direct deposit or that a check has been printed for the refund.

No. The date next to code 846 is the date that the IRS initiated the refund. It can still take several days for a direct deposit refund or several weeks for a refund by check.

Code 846 does not indicate the form of the refund. The refund may be issued by direct deposit or check.

IRS Code 846: All You Need to Know in 2024 + FAQs (2024)

FAQs

IRS Code 846: All You Need to Know in 2024 + FAQs? ›

TC 846: The appearance of this code is a positive sign, indicating that the IRS has processed the refund. TC 766 and TC 768: These codes represent credits to the taxpayer's account, including payments and the Earned Income Credit (EIC), respectively.

How long after code 846 will I get my refund? ›

Once the IRS code 846 appears on your tax transcript, your refund has been approved and you will be receiving the payment soon. If you request direct deposit refunds, the money should be processed within 2 to 3 weeks.

Is the 846 code accurate? ›

Tax transcript code 846 Refund Issued on your tax. transcript means that the IRS has issued you a refund. on your tax return.

What does additional tax assessed mean on IRS transcript? ›

An IRS Code of 290 indicates that you owe more taxes than you initially believed. You could need to pay additional surcharges on your tax assessment for various reasons, including the findings of an audit or errors in how the IRS computed your return.

What is code 846 on paper check? ›

What is IRS code 846? Transaction code 846 signals a refund, plus any interest, has been approved by the IRS.

What happens after code 846? ›

Description: TC 846 is one of the most awaited codes by taxpayers, as it signifies that the IRS has processed the refund and it is on its way to the taxpayer. Implications: The appearance of TC 846 on your tax transcript is a positive sign that your refund has been approved and issued.

What is IRS Code 846 and date? ›

So if you're pulling your transcript, we're looking for code 8:46. That means the IRS has issued your refund. and a deposit is on your way to the. It's on the way to your bank account.

What day of the week does IRS deposit refunds? ›

What days of the week can I receive my refund? The exact day of the week that the IRS will deposit your refund into your account can vary, but they usually send the refund on every business day, from Monday to Friday.

How do I read my tax transcript for refund date? ›

Which IRS transcript shows refund date? The cycle code on your tax transcript signifies that the IRS has received your return and is currently reviewing it. It consists of six digits, with the first four indicating the year of processing and the fifth and sixth representing the week.

What does IRS code 766 and 846 mean? ›

Hello Jane:) The 766 Code is a positive sign with a credit being issued to your account. The negative amount represents that there is a refund due back to you so no need to worry. The Code 846 will indicate that the refund has actually been issued to you and should be on its way to you as well.

What is the IRS code 971 and 846? ›

IRS code 571 or 572 with the same date as code 971 indicates the tax return is processed and the tax refund should be received within 3-6 weeks. Different dates between these codes usually indicate a delay in the release of your refund. Code 846 indicates the tax refund has been released and the money is on its way.

What is the IRS 3 year rule? ›

Generally, you must file a claim for a credit or refund within three years from the date you filed your original tax return or two years from the date you paid the tax, whichever is later.

What is the IRS 6 year rule? ›

6 years - If you don't report income that you should have reported, and it's more than 25% of the gross income shown on the return, or it's attributable to foreign financial assets and is more than $5,000, the time to assess tax is 6 years from the date you filed the return.

Why did the IRS send me a paper check? ›

You omit a digit in the account or routing number of an account and the number doesn't pass the IRS's validation check. In this case, the IRS will send you a paper check for the entire refund instead of a direct deposit.

What does refund freeze mean? ›

When the IRS pursues back tax returns, the IRS can freeze any refunds you may be due until you file the old return. The only way to fix this issue and get your refund is to file the past-due return. If you owe taxes on the old return, the IRS will take that amount out of your current-year refund.

How many days after processing will I get my refund? ›

If you file a complete and accurate paper tax return, your refund should be issued in about six to eight weeks from the date IRS receives your return. If you file your return electronically, your refund should be issued in less than three weeks, even faster when you choose direct deposit.

How long does it take for a refund transfer to be process? ›

How long does a Refund Transfer take? Timing depends on when the IRS or State releases the refund to Republic Bank. The IRS typically processes e-filed tax returns in less than 21 days unless it needs further review. See irs.gov for the latest timing estimates.

Which IRS transcript shows refund date? ›

When the 846-transaction code appears on your transcript, it means that you have been approved for a refund and a direct deposit date has been set. The date that appears beside the 846 code indicates when the IRS is expected to deposit your tax refund into your bank account.

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