Learn why your refund might be delayed and discover steps to track, verify, and resolve issues with your tax refund status.
Tax season brings a mix of anticipation and anxiety, especially when you’re expecting a refund from the Internal Revenue Service.
After weeks of waiting, seeing Code 846 on your tax transcript can be cause for celebration—it indicates your refund has been issued. But what happens when your bank account remains unchanged days or even weeks later?
This disconnect between what the IRS says and what your bank reflects can be frustrating and concerning for taxpayers across the United States.
This comprehensive guide addresses the common predicament of having a 846 refund issued but not received.
Whether you filed electronically or submitted a paper return, understanding why delays occur and knowing the proper steps to resolve them can save you considerable time and stress.
Many Americans face this issue annually, but with the right information and approach, you can navigate this situation effectively and get access to your funds.
What Code 846 Means
Transaction Code 846 is a specific designation in the IRS coding system that appears on your tax transcript when your refund has been approved and issued.
This code doesn’t simply mean your return has been processed; it indicates that the IRS has completed all necessary reviews and has authorized the release of your refund amount.
When you see Code 846 on your transcript, it’s accompanied by a date that represents when the refund was scheduled to be issued—not necessarily when you’ll receive it.
Before a refund reaches the 846 status, it undergoes several verification processes. The IRS verifies your identity to prevent fraud, checks for any outstanding debts that might result in an offset, and confirms the accuracy of your reported income, deductions, and tax credits.
These verification steps have become increasingly rigorous as the IRS works to combat identity theft and fraudulent claims. Other transaction codes may appear alongside Code 846 that provide additional context about your refund status.
For instance, Code 570 indicates a temporary hold or review of your return, while Code 971 signifies that a notice has been issued regarding your account. Understanding these companion codes can give you valuable insight into any potential issues affecting your refund.
It’s important to recognize that the 846 code confirms authorization of your refund, but it doesn’t guarantee immediate delivery. The date associated with the code is the date the refund was initiated—actual receipt depends on several additional factors which we’ll explore next.
Why Your Refund May Not Arrive Immediately
Even after your transcript displays Code 846, several factors can delay the actual receipt of your refund. The IRS implements rigorous fraud prevention measures that have intensified in recent years due to increasing incidents of identity theft and fraudulent return filings.
These security protocols may include additional verification steps that occur after the initial approval indicated by Code 846.
The method of refund delivery significantly impacts timing. Direct deposit, while generally faster than paper checks, still requires processing time through the banking system.
If you selected direct deposit, the funds must transfer from the Treasury Department through the Automated Clearing House (ACH) system to your financial institution, which may then hold the deposit for 1-3 business days before making it available in your account.
Paper return refunds delivered via mail face additional variables, including postal service operations and delivery schedules that can extend waiting periods by several weeks.
Another common reason for delayed or reduced refunds is refund offset. The IRS is authorized to withhold all or part of your refund to satisfy certain financial obligations, including:
| Type of Debt | Authority | Impact on Refund |
| Back federal taxes | IRS | May offset entire refund |
| Delinquent child support | State agencies | Can claim refund up to amount owed |
| Defaulted student loans | Department of Education | May offset entire refund |
| State income tax debt | State tax agencies | Can claim portion of federal refund |
| Certain unemployment compensation debts | State workforce agencies | May reduce refund |
Furthermore, timing can be affected by when your refund was processed. Bank holidays, weekends, and high-volume periods during tax season can extend processing times beyond normal expectations.
The IRS typically processes millions of returns simultaneously, and system capacity constraints during peak periods may introduce additional delays even after Code 846 appears on your transcript.
Confirming Deposit or Mailing Information
When your refund has been issued but hasn’t arrived, verifying your deposit or mailing information is a crucial first step. For direct deposits, double-check the bank routing and account numbers you provided on your tax return.
Even a single incorrect digit can direct your refund to the wrong account or cause the transfer to be rejected entirely. You can verify this information on a copy of your tax return or through your tax preparation software if you used one.
If you’ve recently changed banks or closed the account you listed on your tax return, the refund deposit will be rejected by your financial institution and returned to the IRS.
In such cases, the IRS will typically issue a paper check to the mailing address on your return, which extends the waiting period significantly.
For those expecting a paper check, verify that the IRS has your current mailing address on file. If you’ve moved since filing your return, your refund check might be sent to your old address.
While the postal service can forward mail for a limited time, government checks sometimes cannot be forwarded due to security policies. To update your address with the IRS, submit Form 8822 (Change of Address) as soon as possible.
This form ensures that any current or future correspondence, including your refund check, reaches your new location.
It’s also worth checking if your name on the tax return exactly matches your legal name and what appears on your financial accounts. Discrepancies in naming conventions (such as including or omitting middle initials) can sometimes cause issues with refund processing or deposit acceptance.
How to Track or Verify Refund Status
The IRS provides several tools to help taxpayers track their refunds after they’ve been issued. The most accessible is the “Where’s My Refund?” tool available on the IRS website or through the IRS2Go mobile app.
This tracking system requires your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount shown on your return. Once entered, the tool displays one of three statuses: Return Received, Refund Approved, or Refund Sent.
If “Where’s My Refund?” shows your refund has been sent but you haven’t received it, you can gain more detailed information by accessing your IRS account transcript.
This document provides a comprehensive view of all transactions related to your tax account, including specific dates and codes. To access your transcript, visit the IRS website and request it online through the “Get Transcript” service, or call the IRS automated transcript line.
Here’s a breakdown of typical timeframes after Code 846 appears:
| Refund Method | Typical Timeframe | When to Be Concerned |
| Direct Deposit | 1-5 business days | After 5 business days |
| Paper Check | 5-14 calendar days | After 4 weeks |
If your refund falls outside these timeframes, it’s reasonable to take additional steps to locate it. Keep in mind that these timeframes may extend during peak tax season periods (January through April) when the IRS experiences higher volume.
Identifying Potential Return Errors
Sometimes a refund delay occurs because of issues with your tax return that weren’t immediately apparent during initial processing.
Arithmetic errors on manually prepared returns are common culprits. The IRS may correct these errors automatically, but this additional processing can delay your refund even after Code 846 appears.
Missing or incorrect information can trigger further review. This includes discrepancies in reported income compared to what employers or financial institutions reported to the IRS, incorrect Social Security number entries, or missing forms and schedules.
Claiming certain credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or Child Tax Credit subjects returns to additional scrutiny, especially if the IRS detects potential eligibility issues.
Recent tax law changes may also affect refund processing if your return doesn’t properly account for new requirements or opportunities.
The IRS may need to manually review returns that contain provisions affected by recent legislative changes, creating delays that extend beyond the initial issuance indicated by Code 846.
When to Contact Tax Authorities
If you’ve verified your information, tracked your refund status, and identified no obvious errors, yet your refund still hasn’t arrived within the expected timeframe, it’s appropriate to contact the IRS directly.
Generally, you should wait at least 21 days after e-filing or six weeks after mailing a paper return before calling. However, if the “Where’s My Refund?” tool specifically instructs you to contact the IRS, do so regardless of timing.
Before calling, gather all relevant documentation, including a copy of your tax return, any notices received from the IRS, personal identification information, and details about when and how you filed.
The primary IRS contact number for refund inquiries is 1-800-829-1040, though wait times can be lengthy during peak periods. For persistent issues or situations causing significant financial hardship, the Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) offers assistance.
This independent organization within the IRS is designed to help taxpayers resolve problems that haven’t been addressed through normal channels. TAS representatives can often expedite resolution for qualifying hardship cases.
In cases where your refund was issued but not received, you may need to request a refund trace. This formal investigation tracks the disposition of your refund and can be initiated by calling the IRS or submitting Form 3911 (Taxpayer Statement Regarding Refund).
Different timeframes apply for when you can request a trace based on your refund method:
- Direct deposit: 5 days after the scheduled deposit date
- Paper check, mailing address in the US: 4 weeks after issuance
- Paper check, foreign address: 6 weeks after issuance
FAQ’s
How long after code 846 will I get my refund?
After Code 846 appears, direct deposits typically arrive within 1-5 business days, accounting for banking system processing and your financial institution’s handling procedures.
Paper checks usually take 5-14 calendar days depending on mail delivery in your area, with potential extensions if your refund contains certain tax credits requiring additional verification.
Why does it say refund issued but not received?
This discrepancy commonly results from normal processing time between IRS systems and actual fund delivery methods.
Other possibilities include incorrect banking information, closed accounts, offsets reducing your refund, or processing errors requiring resolution.
What do I do if my refund was sent but I haven’t received it?
First verify all personal and financial information on your tax return, then contact your bank for direct deposits or check your mailing address for paper refunds.
If sufficient time has passed (5 days for direct deposits or 4 weeks for checks), contact the IRS to request a refund trace to determine if the refund was delivered and initiate reissuance if necessary.
What if a refund is issued but not credited?
Contact your bank first to confirm they haven’t received the deposit or if they’re holding it temporarily. If your bank has no record, contact the IRS to determine if the deposit was rejected and returned, in which case they typically reissue as a paper check, extending your wait time.
Conclusion
Resolving the frustration of seeing Code 846 without receiving your refund requires patience and strategic action. By understanding what the code means, verifying information, using tracking tools, and knowing when to contact authorities, you can effectively resolve most refund delays.
The IRS processes millions of returns annually, with most delays stemming from procedural safeguards rather than lost refunds. Following the steps in this guide while maintaining proper documentation will help you address your situation and access your funds as quickly as possible.
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