What Code 846 Means When the IRS Issues Your Refund

Code 846 is the IRS's way of saying your refund has been processed and sent out

Code 846 appears on your IRS account transcript when the agency has finished processing your return and released your refund payment. It does not mean the money has arrived in your bank account yet — it means the IRS has approved the refund amount, chosen the delivery method, and handed it off to the payment system. The code itself is purely informational; it tells you the refund is no longer sitting in the IRS queue.

You will see Code 846 on your IRS transcript (the detailed record of your account activity) once the refund has been issued. The timing between Code 846 appearing and the money reaching you depends on how you chose to receive it: direct deposit usually takes three to five business days after the code appears, while a paper check can take two to three weeks or longer depending on mail delivery.

Key Takeaways

Code 846 means the IRS has processed your return and released the refund payment, but it has not yet arrived in your account.
Direct deposit refunds typically arrive three to five business days after Code 846 appears on your transcript.
Paper check refunds can take two to three weeks or longer to arrive after Code 846 is issued, depending on postal delivery times.
You can check your transcript on IRS.gov using the Get Transcript tool, or call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 to confirm Code 846 has posted.

How Code 846 differs from other refund status codes

The IRS uses different codes to mark different stages of refund processing. Code 570 means your return is under review or held for examination — the refund is delayed. Code 971 indicates a notice has been sent to you about your return. Code 290 shows that the IRS has applied part or all of your refund to pay other taxes you owe. Code 846 is the green light: it means none of those holds or complications are in the way, and the refund is moving forward.

If you see Code 846 on your transcript but no other codes appear after it, your refund is in transit. If you see Code 846 followed by Code 290, it means the IRS took some of your refund to cover back taxes, child support arrears, or other federal debts. If Code 846 never appears and you see Code 570 or 971 instead, your refund is stalled and you may need to respond to an IRS notice or provide additional information.

Where to find Code 846 on your IRS transcript

You can view your IRS account transcript through the Get Transcript tool on IRS.gov. Log in with your IRS username and password, or use an identity verification method like ID.me. Once you are in your account, select "Account Transcript" to see the detailed record of all transactions and codes posted to your return. Code 846 will appear in the "Transaction Code" column with the date it was posted.

You can also call the IRS directly at 1-800-829-1040 and speak with a representative who can tell you whether Code 846 has posted to your account. Have your Social Security number, filing status, and the refund amount ready. The IRS can also tell you the expected arrival date based on your payment method. If you filed jointly, either spouse can call on behalf of the household.

What to do if Code 846 appears but your refund has not arrived

If Code 846 posted more than five business days ago and you chose direct deposit, the delay is usually on the bank's side, not the IRS's. Contact your bank or credit union and confirm they received the deposit. Provide them with the date Code 846 appeared on your transcript — that is the date the IRS sent the money. Banks sometimes hold deposits for verification, especially if the account is new or if the deposit amount is unusually large.

If you chose a paper check and Code 846 posted more than three weeks ago, the check may have been lost in the mail. Contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 and request a replacement check. You will need to wait about two weeks for the replacement to arrive. If you are concerned the original check was stolen or cashed fraudulently, ask the IRS to issue a stop payment and reissue the refund by direct deposit instead — this is faster and more find.

Code 846 and refund offset or levy

If Code 846 appears on your transcript but the full refund amount does not reach you, Code 290 will also be posted to your account. This code means the IRS or another federal agency (such as the Department of Education or the Office of Child Support Enforcement) has taken part of your refund to pay a debt you owe. The amount offset will be listed next to Code 290.

You can dispute an offset if you believe it was made in error or if you have a valid reason the debt should not have been collected from your refund. Contact the agency that took the money — not the IRS — to request a review. For example, if the offset was for student loan debt, contact the Department of Education. If it was for child support, contact your state's child support enforcement office. These disputes can take several months to resolve.

Code 846 does not mean your refund is complete

Code 846 marks the moment the IRS released the refund, but it does not mean the refund process is finished. If you are owed a refund for multiple tax years, the IRS may issue Code 846 for each year separately, and each one will arrive on its own schedule. If you amended your return after filing, Code 846 will not appear until the amended return has been processed — this can take several additional months.

If you filed a return that claimed the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC), the IRS holds those refunds until mid-February by law, even if Code 846 appears earlier. This is a compliance requirement, not a delay on your specific account. Your refund will not be released until the IRS's EITC compliance period ends, regardless of when Code 846 posts.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to see Code 846 after I file my return?

If you file electronically and the IRS accepts your return without issues, Code 846 typically appears within 21 days. If you file on paper, it can take four to six weeks. If the IRS needs to review your return or requests additional information, Code 846 will not appear until that review is complete.

Can Code 846 be reversed or changed?

No. Once Code 846 posts, the refund has been issued and cannot be recalled by the IRS. If you need to change your refund amount, you would need to file an amended return, which creates a separate refund or balance due. The original Code 846 remains on your transcript as a historical record.

What if Code 846 never appears on my transcript?

If your return was accepted but Code 846 never posts, check for Code 570 (return under review) or Code 971 (notice sent). These indicate your refund is delayed. Call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 to find out why. If you filed more than 21 days ago and see no codes at all, your return may not have been accepted — contact the IRS to confirm receipt.

Does Code 846 mean I will definitely get my full refund?

Code 846 means the IRS has processed your return and released the refund amount shown on your transcript. However, if Code 290 also appears, part of that refund has been offset to pay a debt. Check your transcript for both codes to see the actual amount you will receive.

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.