How Long It Takes to Receive Your Refund After IRS Code 846 Is Issued

What Code 846 means and when your money arrives

Code 846 is the IRS's internal code for "refund issued." When you see it on your tax account, it means the IRS has sent your refund out — but it has not yet arrived in your bank account or mailbox. The time between Code 846 and the money landing depends on how you chose to receive it and whether the IRS mailed it or deposited it electronically.

If you chose direct deposit, your refund typically arrives within one to three business days after Code 846 appears. If the IRS is mailing you a paper check, it usually takes seven to ten business days from the Code 846 date, though mail delays can extend that. The IRS does not control mail delivery once the check leaves its facility, so weather, postal volume, and your location all affect the final arrival date.

You can see Code 846 on your IRS account by logging into IRS.gov and using the "Where's My Refund?" tool, or by checking the IRS2Go mobile app. The tool shows you the exact date Code 846 was issued, which gives you a reliable starting point for when to expect the money.

Key Takeaways

Code 846 means the IRS has processed your refund and sent it out, but you have not received it yet.
Direct deposit refunds usually arrive one to three business days after Code 846 is issued.
Paper checks typically take seven to ten business days after Code 846, but mail delays can add more time.
You can track the exact date Code 846 was issued by using the IRS Where's My Refund tool at IRS.gov or the IRS2Go app.
If your refund does not arrive within the expected timeframe, contact the IRS or your bank to investigate.

Direct deposit refunds: one to three business days

If you chose direct deposit on your tax return, the IRS sends your refund electronically to your bank or credit union. Once Code 846 is issued, the IRS transmits the deposit instruction to your financial institution. Your bank then processes the incoming deposit, which usually takes one to three business days depending on the bank's processing schedule and whether the deposit arrives on a weekend or holiday.

Business days do not include Saturdays, Sundays, or federal holidays. If Code 846 is issued on a Friday, for example, the clock does not start until Monday. If it is issued the day before a holiday, your bank may not process it until after the holiday passes. Some banks post deposits as soon as they receive them; others wait until the next business day to update your account balance.

The account number and routing number you provided on your return must match your current bank account exactly. If you closed the account, changed banks, or made a typo when filing, the deposit may be rejected and the IRS will mail you a paper check instead — which adds another seven to ten days.

Paper check refunds: seven to ten business days plus mail time

If you did not choose direct deposit or if your direct deposit was rejected, the IRS prints and mails a paper check. After Code 846 is issued, the IRS typically mails the check within one to two business days. From there, the check travels through the U.S. Postal Service, which usually takes five to seven business days for standard mail delivery, though this varies by distance and local mail volume.

The total time from Code 846 to arrival is usually seven to ten business days, but can stretch longer depending on where you live and current postal delays. Rural areas and locations far from IRS processing centers may see longer delivery times. During high-volume periods — such as late spring — postal delays are more common.

Once the check arrives, you still need to deposit or cash it. If you deposit it at an ATM or mobile app, your bank may place a hold on the funds for one to five business days before making the money available, depending on the check amount and your bank's policy.

How to track your refund after Code 846

The IRS Where's My Refund tool shows you the date Code 846 was issued and tells you which delivery method was used. Go to IRS.gov, select "Where's My Refund?", and enter your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount from your return. The tool updates once per day, usually overnight.

If the tool shows Code 846 but your money has not arrived after the expected timeframe, log back in to confirm the delivery method. If it says direct deposit, check with your bank to see if the deposit was received and rejected, or if it is still pending. If it says check, contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 to confirm the mailing address on file.

The IRS2Go app offers the same tracking information and sends you notifications when your refund status changes. Some people find the app easier to check repeatedly without having to re-enter their information each time.

What to do if your refund does not arrive on time

If more than three business days have passed since Code 846 and you chose direct deposit, contact your bank first. Ask whether the deposit was received and rejected, or whether it is still pending. If your bank has no record of the deposit, call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 with the Code 846 date and your routing and account numbers. The IRS can confirm whether the deposit was sent and investigate if it was rejected.

If more than ten business days have passed since Code 846 and you are waiting for a paper check, contact the IRS. Have your Social Security number, filing status, and the refund amount ready. The IRS can confirm the mailing address, resend the check if it was lost, or issue a replacement if needed. In some cases, the IRS can deposit the refund directly to your bank account instead of reissuing a check.

If you moved after filing your return, the check may have been mailed to your old address. File a change of address with the U.S. Postal Service, or contact the IRS to update your mailing address on file. The IRS can reissue the check to your current address.

Why Code 846 does not mean the money is in your account

Code 846 is an internal IRS status code that tells you the IRS has completed its work — it has processed your return, approved your refund, and sent it out. It does not mean the money has cleared your bank or arrived in your mailbox. The gap between Code 846 and the money landing is the time it takes for your bank or the postal service to complete their part of the delivery.

Many people see Code 846 and expect the money when ready, then worry when it does not appear the same day. Understanding that Code 846 is the start of the delivery process, not the end, helps you know what to expect and when to follow up if something goes wrong.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see Code 846 on my tax return itself?

No. Code 846 appears only in your IRS account online, not on the return you filed or any documents the IRS mails you. You must log into IRS.gov or use the IRS2Go app to see it. The Where's My Refund tool is the only place the IRS displays this code to taxpayers.

What if Code 846 shows a different date than when I filed?

Code 846 is the date the IRS issued the refund, which is different from the date you filed. The IRS processes returns in batches and may take several weeks or months to reach your return, depending on whether it was selected for review or contained errors. Once your return is approved, Code 846 is issued and the refund is sent out.

Does Code 846 mean my refund was approved?

Yes. If Code 846 appears in your account, the IRS has approved your return and your refund amount. The code means the refund has been issued and is on its way to you. If the IRS had denied your refund or made changes to it, you would see a different code or a notice in the mail instead.

What if my bank says they never received the direct deposit?

Contact the IRS with your routing number and account number from the date you filed. The IRS can confirm whether the deposit was sent and, if so, where it went. If the deposit was rejected because the account was closed or the number was wrong, the IRS will reissue the refund as a paper check mailed to your address on file.

Can the IRS speed up my refund after Code 846 is issued?

No. Once Code 846 is issued, the refund is out of the IRS's hands. If you chose direct deposit, the speed depends on your bank's processing time. If you are receiving a paper check, the speed depends on postal delivery. The IRS cannot expedite either process once the refund has been sent.

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.