When You'll See Money After a Code 846 Refund Is Issued

Code 846 means the IRS has processed your return and approved your refund, but the money has not yet reached your bank account

A Code 846 is an IRS transaction code that appears in your account when the agency has finished reviewing your tax return and decided to send you money back. The code itself does not mean the refund has arrived — it means the IRS has authorized the payment and sent it into the banking system. How long you wait after seeing Code 846 depends on how you chose to receive the money and which bank you use.

If you filed electronically and chose direct deposit, the refund typically arrives within 1 to 5 business days after Code 846 appears. If you chose a paper check, the wait is longer — usually 7 to 10 business days from the Code 846 date, sometimes longer depending on mail delivery in your area. The IRS publishes a refund date when it issues Code 846; that date is your target, though banks sometimes deposit money a day or two early.

Key Takeaways

Code 846 means the IRS has approved your refund and sent it to your bank or the mail, not that the money is in your account yet.
Direct deposit refunds usually arrive 1 to 5 business days after Code 846 appears; paper checks take 7 to 10 business days or longer.
The IRS Where's My Refund tool shows the exact refund date the agency assigned when it issued Code 846.
Delays after Code 846 are usually caused by your bank's processing time, not the IRS, and you should contact your bank if money does not arrive by the published date.

How to find your refund date after Code 846 is issued

The IRS Where's My Refund tool (available at irs.gov) shows the refund date the agency assigned when Code 846 was posted to your account. You enter your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount to look up the status. The tool updates once per day, usually overnight, so checking multiple times in a single day will not show new information.

The refund date shown is the date the IRS says the money will arrive in your account or be mailed to you. For direct deposit, this date is usually accurate within 1 to 2 business days. For paper checks, the date is when the check is mailed, not when it arrives at your address, so add 5 to 10 days depending on postal service speed in your area.

Direct deposit refunds: what happens between Code 846 and your bank account

When you choose direct deposit, the IRS sends your refund electronically to the bank routing number and account number you provided on your tax return. Code 846 means the IRS has released the money into the Federal Reserve's payment system. From there, the money moves through the banking network to your specific bank.

Your bank then processes the deposit on its own schedule. Most banks post direct deposits within 1 to 3 business days of receiving them from the Federal Reserve. Some banks, particularly smaller regional banks or credit unions, may take up to 5 business days. The money is usually available the same day it posts to your account, though some banks hold deposits for a day before releasing them for withdrawal.

If the refund date has passed and the money has not arrived, contact your bank first. Ask them whether the deposit has been received and posted. If your bank says they have not received it, contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 to report the delay. Have your Social Security number, filing status, and refund amount ready.

Paper check refunds: timing from Code 846 to your mailbox

Paper checks take longer because the IRS must print the check, mail it to your address, and then your bank must receive and process it when you deposit it. Code 846 means the check has been printed and sent to the mail. The IRS typically mails checks within 2 to 3 business days of issuing Code 846.

Once mailed, delivery depends on your location and postal service speed. Urban areas usually receive checks within 5 to 7 business days; rural areas may take 10 to 14 days. After you receive the check and deposit it, your bank processes it like any other check deposit — usually 1 to 3 business days, though some banks hold check deposits longer than electronic transfers.

If you have not received a check by 10 business days after the refund date shown in Where's My Refund, contact the IRS. They can issue a replacement check or, in some cases, reissue the refund by direct deposit if you provide updated banking information.

Why refunds are delayed after Code 846 appears

The most common reason for delays after Code 846 is that your bank is still processing the deposit. Banks are not required to post Federal Reserve transfers immediately; they have up to 2 business days to process them, and some take the full time allowed. This is especially true if the deposit arrives on a Friday or before a holiday.

A second reason is that you provided incorrect banking information on your tax return. If the routing number or account number does not match an active account at a real bank, the IRS's payment will be rejected and returned. The IRS then issues a paper check instead, which adds 2 to 3 weeks to the timeline. You can check the banking information you provided by reviewing a copy of your filed return.

Postal delays affect paper checks. If your address on file with the IRS is incorrect or incomplete, the check may be returned to the IRS as undeliverable. The IRS will then attempt to contact you or issue a replacement check to the address on your most recent tax return.

What to do if money has not arrived after the refund date

Wait until at least one business day after the refund date shown in Where's My Refund before taking action. Banks sometimes post deposits a day early or a day late, and the IRS date is an estimate, not a may provide.

If money has not arrived by the business day after the published refund date, log into your bank's website or call your bank's customer service line. Ask whether the IRS deposit has been received and posted. If your bank says yes, the money should be available for withdrawal immediately or within 24 hours. If your bank says no, ask them to check again or provide you with the date they expect to receive it.

If your bank confirms the deposit has not been received and the refund date was more than 5 business days ago, contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040. Have your Social Security number, filing status, refund amount, and the date you filed ready. The IRS can trace the payment and determine whether it was sent, rejected, or lost in the banking system.

Refunds issued to a closed or wrong account

If you provided a bank account number that is no longer active, the bank will reject the deposit and return it to the IRS. This process takes 5 to 10 business days. The IRS then issues a paper check to your mailing address, which adds another 7 to 14 days to the timeline.

You can prevent this by checking your tax return before filing to make sure the routing number and account number are correct and match the account you still use. If you realize after filing that you provided the wrong account, contact the IRS as soon as possible. Some IRS offices can update your banking information and reissue the refund electronically, though this is not may provide and depends on how far along the payment process is.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Code 846 mean my refund will definitely arrive on the date shown?

Code 846 means the IRS has approved and released the refund, but the date shown is an estimate, not a may provide. Direct deposits usually arrive within 1 to 2 business days of that date. Paper checks may take longer depending on mail delivery. If money has not arrived by 5 business days after the date, contact your bank or the IRS.

Can I get my refund faster if I call the IRS after Code 846 is issued?

No. Once Code 846 is issued, the refund is in the banking system and the IRS cannot speed it up. Calling the IRS will not change the timeline. The only way to potentially speed up a refund is to choose direct deposit instead of a paper check when you file, which you cannot change after Code 846 has been issued.

What if Code 846 appeared but I never got a refund date?

Check the Where's My Refund tool again. Sometimes the date takes a few hours to appear after Code 846 is posted. If no date appears after 24 hours, contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040. A missing refund date can indicate a problem with your banking information or your address on file.

Can my bank reject a refund from the IRS?

Yes, if the routing number or account number you provided is incorrect or the account is closed. The bank will reject the deposit and return it to the IRS within 5 to 10 business days. The IRS will then mail a paper check instead. Always double-check your banking information before filing.

How long does a replacement check take if the first one was lost in the mail?

The IRS typically issues a replacement check within 4 to 6 weeks of your request. You can request a replacement by calling 1-800-829-1040 or by filing Form 3911 (Application for IRS Assistance). Have your Social Security number and the original refund amount ready.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.