Code 846 is the IRS's way of telling you your refund has been issued

When you see Code 846 on your IRS account or in a letter, it means the IRS has processed your tax return and sent your refund out. The refund itself — the actual money — is on its way to you through the method you chose: direct deposit to your bank account, a check in the mail, or a debit card. Code 846 does not mean you have received the money yet. It means the IRS has released it from their system.

The IRS uses transaction codes to track what happens to your return at each stage. Code 846 specifically marks the moment the refund leaves the IRS and enters the payment system. Different codes mark different events: Code 570 means your return is under review, Code 971 means the IRS sent you a notice, Code 846 means your refund has been issued.

You will see Code 846 appear in your IRS online account (at IRS.gov under "View Your Tax Account") or in a letter the IRS mails you. The code shows up alongside a date — that date is when the IRS issued the refund, not when it will arrive in your hands.

Key Takeaways

  • Code 846 means the IRS has processed your return and sent your refund out, but you have not yet received the money.
  • The date next to Code 846 is the issue date — when the IRS released the refund — not the arrival date.
  • How long the money takes to reach you depends on your refund method: direct deposit is fastest (typically 1 to 5 business days), checks take 7 to 10 business days, and debit cards vary by issuer.
  • If you do not see Code 846 within 21 days of filing, or if the money does not arrive within the expected timeframe, you can check your account status on IRS.gov or call the IRS.

How long after Code 846 appears will you receive your money

The time between Code 846 and the money in your account or mailbox depends on which refund method you chose when you filed. Direct deposit is the fastest: the IRS typically sends the refund to your bank within 1 to 5 business days after Code 846 appears. Your bank then processes it, which usually takes another 1 to 2 business days, so you may see the money within a week of the issue date.

A paper check takes longer. After Code 846 is issued, the IRS prints and mails the check, which can take 7 to 10 business days to arrive depending on mail speed and your location. If you chose a refund debit card (some tax software offers this), the timeline varies by the card issuer — check the terms you agreed to when you chose that method.

These are typical timeframes, not guarantees. Mail delays, bank processing backlogs, or errors in your account information can extend the wait. If your refund does not arrive within the expected window, the IRS website has a tool called "Where's My Refund?" that shows the current status.

Where to find Code 846 on your IRS account

You can see Code 846 in two places: your IRS online account or a letter from the IRS. To check your online account, go to IRS.gov, sign in with your login credentials (or create an account if you do not have one), and select "View Your Tax Account." Look for the section labeled "Transaction History" or "Account Transcript." The codes and dates will be listed there in chronological order, with the most recent at the top.

The IRS also mails a notice when your refund is issued. This letter will show Code 846 and the issue date. If you filed electronically, you may see Code 846 online before the letter arrives in the mail. If you filed a paper return, the letter may be your first notification.

The "Where's My Refund?" tool on IRS.gov is another way to track your refund. You enter your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount, and the tool shows you the current status and expected delivery date. This tool updates once per day, usually overnight.

What to do if Code 846 does not appear within 21 days

The IRS typically issues refunds within 21 days of receiving your return if you filed electronically and had no errors. If you do not see Code 846 within that window, first check that you are looking at the right account. Make sure you signed in with the correct Social Security number and that you are viewing the current tax year's return.

If Code 846 still does not appear after 21 days, your return may be held for review. This happens when the IRS flags something that needs verification — a math error, a missing form, income that does not match third-party records, or a claim that needs documentation. The IRS will send you a notice explaining what they need. Check your mail and your IRS online account for any notices.

You can also call the IRS directly. The phone number is 1-800-829-1040. Have your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount ready. Wait times are often long, especially during tax season, but the IRS can tell you whether your return is under review and what, if anything, you need to do.

What to do if the money does not arrive after Code 846

Once Code 846 appears, the refund is in the payment system. If the money does not show up in your bank account or mailbox within the timeframe for your refund method, the delay is usually on the bank's or postal service's side, not the IRS's. Direct deposit delays can happen if your bank is processing a high volume of deposits or if there is an error in your account number. Check with your bank to confirm they received the deposit.

If you chose a check and it does not arrive within 10 business days of the issue date, the check may have been lost in the mail. You can request a replacement check from the IRS. Call 1-800-829-1040 or use the IRS website to file a claim for a missing check. The IRS will investigate and either resend the check or issue a refund by another method.

If your bank says they never received a direct deposit, or if there is a discrepancy between the amount Code 846 shows and the amount that arrived, contact the IRS. Bring documentation of what Code 846 shows and what your bank shows. The IRS can trace the payment and correct errors.

Other IRS transaction codes you might see

Code 846 is one of many codes the IRS uses to communicate what is happening with your return. Code 150 means your return was received and accepted. Code 570 means your return is under examination or review. Code 971 means the IRS sent you a notice about your return. Code 805 means the IRS applied your refund to a debt you owe (such as back taxes or student loans). Code 806 means the refund was offset — reduced because of a debt.

If you see Code 570 or 971 before Code 846, your refund is delayed because the IRS needs more information or has questions about your return. If you see Code 805 or 806, your refund was reduced or redirected. Each code tells you something different about where your return stands in the IRS process.

You can see all the codes on your account by viewing your transaction history on IRS.gov. The IRS website also has a full list of transaction codes and what each one means if you want to understand the complete picture of what happened to your return.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Code 846 mean I will get my refund today?

No. Code 846 means the IRS has issued your refund, but it still needs to travel through the payment system. If you chose direct deposit, the money usually arrives within 1 to 5 business days. If you chose a check, it typically takes 7 to 10 business days. The date next to Code 846 is when the IRS sent it out, not when you will receive it.

Can Code 846 disappear from my account?

No. Once Code 846 appears, it stays on your account record. It is a permanent transaction history entry. If you stop seeing it, you may have logged out or are viewing a different tax year. Log back in and make sure you are looking at the correct year's return.

What if I see Code 846 but my bank says they never received the deposit?

Contact your bank first to confirm the account number on file with the IRS is correct. If the account number is wrong, the IRS may have sent the deposit to the wrong bank. Call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 to verify the account information they have and request a corrected payment if needed.

Does Code 846 mean my return was accepted without errors?

Code 846 means your refund was issued, but it does not may provide your return had no errors. The IRS may have issued the refund and then later discovered a problem that requires you to amend your return or provide additional documentation. If you receive a notice from the IRS after Code 846 appears, follow the instructions in that notice.

Can I stop a refund after Code 846 is issued?

Once Code 846 appears, the refund is in the payment system and cannot be stopped. If you need to change something about your return or the refund, you will need to file an amended return (Form 1040-X) after you receive the money. You cannot reverse a refund that has already been issued.