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Level 2
posted Feb 18, 2025 9:40:28 AM

PATH Act & “5 Days Early”

I need a straight answer to this because TurboTax is SHADY:

 

If I get a direct deposit date this Friday, and it tells me 2/26, is TurboTax sending me my refund that same day? On Friday? Because that’s 5 days early. If not, this entire offering was a SCAM. 

Also, why am I reading now that if you opted to pay fees with your federal refund, you’re not eligible for the 5 days early deal? TurboTax offered BOTH to me and never once warned me that paying from my refund could affect this, so I expect that they would work together. If not, again, HUGE SCAM. 

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24 Replies
Level 15
Feb 18, 2025 9:48:20 AM

https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/individuals/earned-income-tax-credit/when-to-expect-your-refund-if-you-claimed-the-earned-income-tax-credit-or-additional-child-tax-credit

 

https://turbotax.intuit.com/early-tax-refunds/

 

Remember that the “”5 day early” date is based on the date given to you on the IRS refund site—-not the date the TT site shows in your account.   If your refund does not come in five days ahead of the IRS date, they are supposed to cancel the $25 fee.

 

 

You need your filing status, your Social Security number and the exact amount  (line 35a of your 2024 Form 1040) of your federal refund to track your Federal refund:   

https://www.irs.gov/refunds

 

 

Level 2
Feb 18, 2025 9:57:44 AM

That doesn’t answer my question at all—that is just the same regurgitated response that you give to every single person who posts here. If I get an 846 Refund Issued 2/26 on my transcript on FRIDAY, am

I getting my money on FRIDAY—since that is 5 DAYS EARLY? That would be a date from the IRS. I’m not talking about the “Where’s My Refund?” tool. 

If Turbo Tax couldn’t truly make this happen for anyone who was affected by the PATH Act, why did they still offer it? Bad business. I want actual answers from someone. 

Expert Alumni
Feb 18, 2025 10:00:27 AM

You have to use Where's My Refund. Your refund will come 5 days earlier than what is listed there. If the date on Where's My Refund says 2.26 then you should receive your refund on 2.21.

Level 15
Feb 18, 2025 10:01:56 AM

The date used for the "5 day early" refund is the date on the IRS refund site.  NOT a date you are seeing on a transcript.

 

https://turbotax.intuit.com/early-tax-refunds/

 

From the 5 day early offer page

 

To check if your refund has been approved, visit the IRS website and use their “Where’s My Refund?” tool for real-time updates. Additionally, if you file with TurboTax, you can track your refund status directly within the platform, providing you with peace of mind and up-to-date information.

 

Level 2
Feb 18, 2025 10:40:44 AM

WMR just updates after the transcript has updated anyway—and WMR doesn’t update until Saturday for weekly cycle code people…sometimes it never updates to “Approved” and I’ve always still gotten a refund…so basically Turbo Tax won’t be able to honor their guarantee? Transcripts are from the IRS and are always more reliable than WMR is. 

Level 1
Feb 18, 2025 10:57:41 AM

I smell SCAM by TT and no real

answers either 

Level 1
Feb 18, 2025 7:12:48 PM

I am not sure about those that are on Path and getting the 5 days early, but I know for those not on path it is working as my son got his in 3 days . Hope this helps a little 

New Member
Feb 18, 2025 9:36:33 PM

The 846 code on transcripts is what dictates what you see on WMR. Don't answer questions if you don't know how the tax system works. 

Level 2
Feb 18, 2025 10:50:41 PM

I agree there's been a few times I gotten my deposit before WMR updates Transcripts are my go to for dates. So mine says ( 846 Refund issued 02-24-2025) and I added the 5 days early direct deposit so shouldn't I have received my deposit yesterday being that Monday was a holiday??

Level 3
Feb 18, 2025 11:49:50 PM

According to my tax record refund issued is 2/24 I also paid for 5 days early and it still shows I selected 5 days early using my bank acct I should get mine today but nothing yet 

Level 1
Feb 18, 2025 11:51:31 PM

Same date for me I’m wondering the same if I’ll get it today 2/19 or 2/20 I paid for the 5 days earlier too since Monday was a holiday 

Level 2
Feb 19, 2025 12:00:01 AM

Same I have a refund date of 2/24, also did the 5 days early. But where’s my refund hasn’t updated. So if it doesn’t TurboTax wouldn’t see a date. Kind of a bummer. I need the money by the 21st. 

Level 2
Feb 19, 2025 1:00:13 AM

The date on the WMR for deposit is the same refund date on the transcript where it says Refund Issued. You can get your money before silly WMR even updates. 

Level 2
Feb 19, 2025 1:59:26 AM

I am in the same boat I should have gotten mine Monday but I figured since it was a holiday that ok I will get it Tuesday. Well it’s Wednesday morning 5am getting ready for work and still nothing. And my where is my refund still says child act code . My transcripts however no longer have my negative amount under account balance so I wonder if I will get it today. Still however not five days early so I better not get charged that fee. 

Level 2
Feb 19, 2025 2:20:24 AM

Chill. If your deposit date on WMR/Transcripts says 2/26 then you should receive DD on 2/21 if you paid for 5 days early. If you don't receive by 11:59pm on 2/21 then email customer service for a refund. 

Level 2
Feb 19, 2025 2:22:30 AM

Actually I put the wrong date my date is 2/24. And I am chill I just will not pay for something I didn’t get.

Level 2
Feb 19, 2025 2:24:23 AM

No. If your @CristinaRios87 DDD is 2/24 and you paid for 5 days early, then that's 5 days prior to the date of 2/24. You should have deposit by EOD 2/19. If not email CS and get a refund. 

Level 2
Feb 19, 2025 2:27:36 AM

Actually that's a misconception. You don't have to request a refund if you deducted fees from your federal refund because your not actually 'charged' unless you receive it five days early. The summary of charges only apply if that event happens.

Level 2
Feb 19, 2025 2:28:02 AM

You're simply wrong in your math. If you fell under path act, the transcripts for early filers didn't update until last night. IRS issued refunds for PATHers with the first DD date of 2/24. If you paid $25 for 5 days early and your irs shows a DD of 2/24 then you should receive by EOD 2/19. That would be the 5 days early and you wouldn't get the $25 back since they kept their word. If you don't have by EOD id email CS for a refund 

Level 2
Feb 19, 2025 2:30:27 AM

@gmullins2025 thanks for clarifying! But yes if you signed up for 5 days early and now have a date of 2/24 then you should see d3posits by EOD today 

Level 1
Feb 19, 2025 3:36:37 AM

if where's my refund updates to show a refund date to 2/26, then you should have your deposit 2/21. If not ...you would be refunded the $25. You mentioned what your transcripts show but I don't believe turbo has access to transcripts. That is something only the tax payer can see. They wouldn't be able to see a transcript update and they would have to go off of whatever info is listed on the where's my refund tool. If where's my refund doesn't update, then I would imagine there won't be an early deposit. 

Level 1
Feb 19, 2025 3:39:31 AM

Perhaps. But many transcripts updated last night to show a DD of 2/24. WMR did not update this morning. If it stays that way, it seems that everyone with a 2/24 will not see a deposit today as promised with the 5 day early option.

Level 1
Feb 19, 2025 3:41:56 AM

Correct. But if turbo tax is relying on WMR....many will not get an early refund. For example transcripts updated for many tax payers yesterday to show a DD of 2/24. Meaning today, 2/19 should be their deposit date with turbo... unfortunately WMR did not update this morning. Transcripts do dictate what information is sent to WMR but unfortunately WMR is notorious for being behind on updates. So unless it updates sometime today....many filers with a 2/24 refund date will not see their 5 day early deposit 

Level 3
Feb 19, 2025 3:45:19 AM

I'm pretty sure they signed into irs.gov to get their transcripts.