For all the people
impatiently waiting
on tax refunds.

A grapevine for taxpayers,
by taxpayers.

Interact with people who have experiences or questions just like you.

All of your tax refund questions, answered.
What Other People Are Saying
34,990 comments

Where’s My Refund?

You have questions, we have answers.

key tax return and refund dates

When can you file your taxes?

You can submit your tax return before the IRS begins processing as early as the first week of the year with many tax preparation providers. You don’t need to wait until the IRS begins accepting tax returns but you must have the proper forms and paperwork. Some forms are not available until mid January. Tax returns filed before the IRS officially opens sit in a โ€œqueueโ€ and are held until the IRS officially begins accepting tax returns.

Your tax return may be selected in a test batch. If you e-file early and it sits in queue, your return may be sent to the IRS early. This can result in early direct deposits depending on the payment provider you select. Our cycle chart will update with key dates including test batch dates.

When does the IRS accept tax returns?

The IRS usually opens around the third week of January each year. They announce the opening date early in January.

The IRS began accepting tax returns this year on January 29, 2024.

When is the IRS test batch?

If you file your tax return early, it may be sent to the IRS in a test batch before the IRS has officially opened for the year. It is usually a week before the date the IRS begins accepting tax returns. This has resulted in refunds in the past that can be posted by direct deposit as early as the day after tax season opens.

When will I get my tax refund?

Early filers whose returns are accepted in a test batch can anticipate a tax refund as early as the day after the IRS opens the January filing season if your return was in the test batch. The day that the IRS deposits refunds varies for regular returns but we notice trends based on the method you chose to file and select to direct deposit. You can use our tax refund calendar or refund cycle chart to help find out when you will get your tax refund.

Where is the IRS refund cycle chart?

The official tax refund cycle chart published by the IRS has been eliminated and replaced with IRS FAQ. Refund cycle charts are now published by independent websites and vary slightly.

A good reference to use is the When To Expect My Refund cycle chart that is published early each year by the College Investor.

tax refund grapevine

This is a user-to-user community of taxpayers. Share experiences and ask questions below in our Live Discussion. We have learned more about tax refunds than we ever wanted to know.

IRS Update Cycle

Use the IRS Update Cycle chart to find the days and times the WMR and transcript update.

Transcripts

This is what your IRS transcript can tell you about your tax refund.

Transaction Codes

Lookup the codes that you see on your tax return transcript and what they mean.

Daily vs. Weekly

Find out if you have a daily or weekly account with the IRS and what it means.

When are Updates?

The IRS has regular mass update cycles.

WHEN DOES WHERES MY REFUND (WMR) UPDATE?

Where’s My Refund can update any day of the week. But there are mass updates on Wednesday and Saturday when a lot of people see an update. Use our calendar to find out what day you can expect to see updates on Where’s My Refund.

WHEN DO transcripts update?

Transcripts can update any day of the week. But there are mass updates on Tuesday and Friday. Use our calendar to find out what day you can expect to see an update on your transcript.

talk to a human

It is often hard to reach someone at the IRS and you might want to talk to a person. It is hard to reach some tax preparation companies too. Use our guide to talk to a human at the IRS.

TAX TOPIC 152

Tax Topic 152 is the most common status when you check the status of your tax refund. It is nothing to worry about.

transcript codes

Transaction Codes (TC) sometimes called transcript codes consist of three digits and may appear on your IRS account transcript. Decipher the codes on your IRS transcripts.

reference codes

Most times the WMR will show Tax Topic 152. Other times you may see various error codes. These are called Reference Codes on the WMR.

Join the Conversation

What Others Are Saying

  1. DrBlute

    @Sheila_33: update I just checked prior years and they are all the same shortened name and address so nvm on that lol!

    Reply

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  2. DrBlute

    @Sheila_33: ya I have an 05 I always thought I was weekly thatโ€™s how it seemed to go

    Reply

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  3. Amanda
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-18
    • Fees:
      In Advance
    • Bank:
      Walmart One
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-19
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      03
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • As of:
      Feb-12
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-19
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Sheila_33: That is helpful for me also. If all my past years ended in 05 how do I know if Im weekly or Daily? What is the significance? Thank you.

    Reply

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  4. Amanda
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-18
    • Fees:
      In Advance
    • Bank:
      Walmart One
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-19
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      03
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • As of:
      Feb-12
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-19
    • I Got My Refund!

    One bar TT152. But My transcript now has only an as of Feb 12th date the rest is blank. 2023 is listed in the bottom two transcripts only at this time. Was not there yesterday. Im a 5 what does all of this mean? I forget year after year and find myself in different situations. Why was I accepted into a test batch if i have to wait for PATH? Paid fees out of pocket and DD onto a walmart card. Did not apply for advance. TT filer.

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  5. Sheila_33
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-6
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Bluebird
    • Bars:
      2nd Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-16
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-16
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-16
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      03
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • As of:
      Feb-19
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-19
    • I Got My Refund!

    @DrBlute: Nothing wrong with checking everyday. Being a daily can be misleading though. You still only cycle thru once a week, but it can be any day.

    Reply

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    1
  6. Sheila_33
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-6
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Bluebird
    • Bars:
      2nd Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-16
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-16
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-16
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      03
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • As of:
      Feb-19
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-19
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Walterdog: I highly doubt it but you’ll find out for sure when that transcript updates.

    Reply

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  7. Walterdog

    @Sheila_33: Good morning Sheila my second return was rejected like you said hope all goes well I was just worried I just kept my return same as last year as far as my dependents and realized later my oldest made over 4700 but she not filing and with her not on my return nothing changes so I hope all is well now Iโ€™m wondering if because I had my other return rejected if that will cause id verify donโ€™t know as for now one bar

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  8. Sheila_33
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-6
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Bluebird
    • Bars:
      2nd Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-16
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-16
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-16
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      03
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • As of:
      Feb-19
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-19
    • I Got My Refund!

    @DrBlute: If your name and address doesn’t appear next cycle, then it may be another issue.

    Reply

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  9. DrBlute

    @Sheila_33: gotcha so should I be checking daily ?

    Reply

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  10. Sheila_33
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-6
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Bluebird
    • Bars:
      2nd Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-16
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-16
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-16
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      03
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • As of:
      Feb-19
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-19
    • I Got My Refund!

    @DrBlute: Mine is similar and I went thru the same last year. The transcript didn’t finish populating and we’ll have to wait until the next cycle to finish. We got resequenced and have to get back in line basically.

    Reply

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  11. DrBlute

    @Sheila_33: yes but the form itsnt even fully typed in like my name and address

    Reply

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  12. MoCarr2118
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-11
    • Fees:
      In Advance
    • Bank:
      Wells Fargo
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-16
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      05
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Feb-12
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Devon: Last year I filed early too and was resequenced (I think) at least once, possibly twice. My transcripts were strange. They very slowly updated over a 2 week period but never fully updated until after I received my refund. Last year tax day opening was on 01/24. I had Federal accepted on 01/19 and receive refund on 02/08.

    Reply

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    1
  13. Sheila_33
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-6
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Bluebird
    • Bars:
      2nd Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-16
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-16
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-16
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      03
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • As of:
      Feb-19
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-19
    • I Got My Refund!

    @DrBlute: Is there an “as of” date of Feb. 12th?

    Reply

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  14. DrBlute

    Quick question what does it mean when the account transcript shows but isnโ€™t filled 100% and everything else is n/a

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  15. sp103

    No updates for me, I was accepted 1/16 with a simple return, no PATH. I’m a weekly, so I’ll hopefully see a transcript next week.

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  16. Devon
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-9
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-17
    • Transcript:
      No Access
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • I Got My Refund!

    @MoCarr2118: Same here! Praying for an update for all of us soon!

    Reply

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    1
  17. MoCarr2118
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-11
    • Fees:
      In Advance
    • Bank:
      Wells Fargo
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-16
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      05
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Feb-12
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Impatient: I filed early too and I’m a weekly. Filed on 01/11 and accepted on 01/16. No movement on anything Federal (transcripts blank n/a and WMR one bar). With CA State, just waiting for deposit.

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  18. Morris

    Welcome to the new tax season everyone. My tax return was accepted On Monday, January 22, 2024

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    2
  19. Morris

    @MelloDello53: Wow Congratulations, I’ve never seen anyone get their refund this quickly.

    Reply

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    1
  20. RJ
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-18
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bars:
      2nd Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-19
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-17
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-22
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Feb-19
    • I Got My Refund!

    No notices or letters are showing on my account. So I have no clue. I assume it’s nothing too important if it’s on there

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  21. Sheila_33
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-6
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Bluebird
    • Bars:
      2nd Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-16
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-16
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-16
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      03
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • As of:
      Feb-19
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-19
    • I Got My Refund!

    @RJ: Can you access your tax account online and see if there’s any letters sent? Sometimes you can figure it out that way.

    Reply

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  22. Sheila_33
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-6
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Bluebird
    • Bars:
      2nd Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-16
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-16
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-16
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      03
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • As of:
      Feb-19
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-19
    • I Got My Refund!

    @MelloDello53: Quickest I’ve seen. I hope this tax year goes that well for everyone. :)

    Reply

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    2
  23. Fettsy

    @Danielle93: was your acceptance from TT or officially from IRS?

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  24. MelloDello53
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-10
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      USAA
    • Bars:
      3rd Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-16
    • Date Approved:
      Jan-24
    • WMR Date:
      Jan-26
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      05
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Sheila_33: I updated yesterday and refund went through at 509am to USAA. Sorry I responded late to your text. This year I didn’t even look at my transcripts but had a good feeling it updated yesterday then the WMR updated.

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    4
  25. MelloDello53
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-10
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      USAA
    • Bars:
      3rd Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-16
    • Date Approved:
      Jan-24
    • WMR Date:
      Jan-26
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      05
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Impatient: I updated and got my refund today at 509am. No credits or early advance.

    Reply

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    3
  26. MelloDello53
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-10
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      USAA
    • Bars:
      3rd Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-16
    • Date Approved:
      Jan-24
    • WMR Date:
      Jan-26
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      05
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Sheila_33: Thank you Sheila always glad to be here every year. I didn’t expect a refund this week but next week. IRS has it together so far.

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    3
  27. RJ
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-18
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bars:
      2nd Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-19
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-17
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-22
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Feb-19
    • I Got My Refund!

    I already filed and was accepted. I just got notified that the IRS sent me a letter to my OLD address. Not sure why they would send anything to that old address, considering my most current tax return used my new address. I wont be able to get ahold of this letter, and I’m kind of wondering what it could be

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    1
  28. Sheila_33
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-6
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Bluebird
    • Bars:
      2nd Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-16
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-16
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-16
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      03
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • As of:
      Feb-19
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-19
    • I Got My Refund!

    @MelloDello: Congratulations

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    1
  29. MelloDello53
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-10
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      USAA
    • Bars:
      3rd Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-16
    • Date Approved:
      Jan-24
    • WMR Date:
      Jan-26
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      05
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • I Got My Refund!

    Good morning folks. I woke up and didn’t even check WMR. But checked my email and USAA had a deposit $$$.00 hooray. See you folks next year. I had a simple refund no credits and no advance. Keep the faith they are coming.

    Reply

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    9
  30. Jae

    @Impatient: I am thinking so, I am a weekly and was early accepted. I am hoping I wake up on Friday and see transcript movements

    Reply

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    1
  31. kathyarzola
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-8
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Approved:
      Jan-18

    @Impatient: My transcripts are all filled in except for the 846 code and I got the PATH message today on WMR

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    2
  32. shelleybeanss
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-21
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      CK
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-24
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      05
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Apr-1
    • Processing Date:
      Mar-4
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Sheila_33: all the fingers and toes crossed lol :D

    Reply

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  33. Impatient
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Bluebird
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-16
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Feb-12
    • I Got My Refund!

    Anyone else accepted January 16 and still no update on transcripts? WMR is at 1 bar.

    Reply

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    4
  34. Sheila_33
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-6
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Bluebird
    • Bars:
      2nd Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-16
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-16
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-16
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      03
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • As of:
      Feb-19
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-19
    • I Got My Refund!

    If you haven’t registered yet, please consider doing so. You get to pick your own awesome “user name” and it’s a lot easier for others to get to know you. This is a site of users helping users who have been through similar tax situations, and/or just hanging out waiting for that refund to drop. :) https://igotmyrefund.com/registration-for-igmr/

    Reply

    moderated
    2
  35. Tab
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-13
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Wells Fargo
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-22
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Sheila_33: Ha! Same! And I catch it just a smidge too late sometimes and bam something is sent. Lol

    Reply

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  36. Sheila_33
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-6
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Bluebird
    • Bars:
      2nd Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-16
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-16
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-16
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      03
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • As of:
      Feb-19
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-19
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Deano: Thank you for jumping in. This is a user to user site, and as such, love seeing y’all helping others.

    Reply

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    1
  37. Sheila_33
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-6
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Bluebird
    • Bars:
      2nd Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-16
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-16
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-16
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      03
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • As of:
      Feb-19
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-19
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Tab: I don’t trust my predictive test, lol. There are days I’m not really sure what’s gonna come out of my mouth.

    Reply

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  38. Deano

    Thank you I saw your earlier answer after I replied Have an Amazing day ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply

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  39. Sheila_33
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-6
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Bluebird
    • Bars:
      2nd Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-16
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-16
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-16
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      03
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • As of:
      Feb-19
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-19
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Deano: You are correct, here’s the link for what we’re thinking may happen with test batches:
    https://igotmyrefund.com/irs-test-batch/

    Reply

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    1
  40. Impatient
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Bluebird
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-16
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Feb-12
    • I Got My Refund!

    Still no update on transcripts. I this because Iโ€™m a weekly?

    Reply

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