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
49,358 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 ā€œqueueā€ 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 will begin accepting tax returns in 2025 on January 27th.

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 Wherer’s My Refund tool (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. Lizzy201
    • Tax Preparer:
      Jackson Hewitt
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-18
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Cycle Code:
      0504
    • As of:
      Mar-3
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-17

    @Mary: Nope… hehehe…. I’m still the same ‘ol me! Just older!

    Reply
    1
  2. TheQueenofBee

    @Walter DOG: like 100 percent it will turn to the 420 !! Or is there a chance it’s something that just needed fix and it will lift. I’m trying to find the number what would I say that I got my transcripts and that I see I was held for Examination and calling to see if there is anything I can answer to speed it along ? Man smh I got so excited too seeing transcripts I just knew something was gonna happen

    Reply
  3. Trinitydestany1

    I just got my refund. I filed with Jackson hewitt. I had my fees taken out and I got the early refund advance loan. It was just deposited on my serve card. Good luck everyone!

    Reply
    4
  4. Tigerlili_1
    • Tax Preparer:
      Jackson Hewitt
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-25
    • Fees:
      In Advance
    • Bank:
      PenFed
    • Bars:
      3rd Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-25
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-16
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-22
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20240605
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Feb-26
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-26
    • Identity Theft
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Lizzy201: Welcome back! Maturing is no fun! Don’t do it. I wish I could take it back.šŸ¤£šŸ˜‚

    Reply
    2
  5. TheQueenofBee

    @Walter DOG: like 100 percent it will turn to the 420 !! Or is there a chance it’s something that just needed fix and it will lift. I’m trying to find the number what would I say that I got my transcripts and that I see I was held for Examination and calling to see if there is anything I can answer to speed it along ?

    Reply
  6. Tigerlili_1
    • Tax Preparer:
      Jackson Hewitt
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-25
    • Fees:
      In Advance
    • Bank:
      PenFed
    • Bars:
      3rd Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-25
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-16
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-22
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20240605
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Feb-26
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-26
    • Identity Theft
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Guera: https://www.myepstax.com/refund-status/
    This is who they use.

    Reply
  7. Mary

    @Lizzy201 Have you really? Welcome back

    Reply
    1
  8. Joe

    Anyone with ddd of 2/23 with chase get deposits yet ??

    Reply
    1
  9. Trinitydestany1

    @Lizzy201: I just received mine on my serve card. I had fees taken out and the loan. Goodluck to you!

    Reply
    2
  10. Tigerlili_1
    • Tax Preparer:
      Jackson Hewitt
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-25
    • Fees:
      In Advance
    • Bank:
      PenFed
    • Bars:
      3rd Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-25
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-16
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-22
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20240605
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Feb-26
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-26
    • Identity Theft
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Dd: Monday is the holiday, not today. They are up and running today.

    Reply
    3
  11. Lizzy201
    • Tax Preparer:
      Jackson Hewitt
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-18
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Cycle Code:
      0504
    • As of:
      Mar-3
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-17

    Oh, and hello everyone! “I’m back…” (If anyone remembers me) I’ve matured…. SIKE!

    Reply
    1
  12. Confused & Skeptical38

    @Jay: look at the bottom of the account transcript. It’ll show a code, etc. If there’s a refund released it’ll tell you that and have the date to the right.

    Reply
  13. Guera
    • Tax Preparer:
      Jackson Hewitt
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-18
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Blue 🐦(sent wrong account now check being mailed)
    • Bars:
      No Bars-PATH Act Message
    • Date Accepted:
      Feb-15
    • WMR Date:
      Mar-3
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      846 on 16th 12:16am DDD 2/22/2023
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • As of:
      Feb-20
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Donna: haven’t been able to find anything for it 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

    Reply
  14. Crash1218

    Filed with jackson hewitt had loan and fees taken out of refund and it just hit now on serve card

    Reply
    2
  15. Tigerlili_1
    • Tax Preparer:
      Jackson Hewitt
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-25
    • Fees:
      In Advance
    • Bank:
      PenFed
    • Bars:
      3rd Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-25
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-16
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-22
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20240605
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Feb-26
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-26
    • Identity Theft
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Donna: Pathward uses EPS Financial
    https://www.myepstax.com/refund-status/

    Reply
  16. Lizzy201
    • Tax Preparer:
      Jackson Hewitt
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-18
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Cycle Code:
      0504
    • As of:
      Mar-3
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-17

    Dang… irs is on it this year! path is gone and DDD 02/22 – anyone uses jackson hewitt and got the loan in the past? How fast will we see our funds?

    Reply
    1
  17. CaseyR15

    @Dd: republic has been sending to people with fees and loans on the serve card so they’re open

    Reply
    1
  18. Chasingcarson_

    @Dd: only serve and no advance will probably get it today. But last year I had the same deposit date (2/22) and got it on the 2/18 but that was a Friday. I don’t know if republic operates on a Saturday.

    Reply
  19. CaseyR15

    @Sweetz: serve card?

    Reply
  20. Sweetz

    Refund just hit from Jh republic. Had fees and advance out of refund 🄳🄳🄳. See ever next season I’ll be sure to donate

    Reply
    4
  21. Donna

    @Guera: so where is the link for pathward?

    Reply
  22. Dd

    I’ve come to the conclusion that if you had your fees taken out of your refund, we will probably be waiting until after the holiday to get our refund. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Republic bank was closed today because of the holiday smh..

    Reply
    1
  23. Rae

    Still only one bar tax topic 152 I called the irs after putting me on hold several times she said it hasn’t been 21 days so she won’t look it up

    Reply
  24. Jay

    @Andrea D: Where are you getting this info from. I just got my transcripts and where am I supposed to look. Help me understand this.

    Reply
  25. Itsthattimeagaincyn

    @Sheila_33: I called the offset line and I was told I had an amount being taken from my payment on payment date of 2/23/23 does that mean they will release the rest of my refund to me in that same date?

    Reply
  26. Heather8306

    @Tigerlili_1: when will I get mine I have chime with stride bank ddd 2/22 and my funds have already been sent to it

    Reply
  27. Kortnielane

    @Emily: I believe you. I just meant maybe there’s hope? I think they also went with credit karma card I don’t know if you did.

    Reply
  28. Wastategirl444

    @Frank Garrett – Southpark IRS Agent (aka buckey12): does anyone remember or know what that link was?

    Reply
  29. jay

    Which Transcript do you find the information you guys have I have mines but I don’t understand what to look for someone please explain thanks

    Reply
  30. Frank Garrett - Southpark IRS Agent (aka buckey12)
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-8
    • Fees:
      In Advance
    • Bank:
      FNB
    • Bars:
      2nd Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-15
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-21
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-26
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20250505
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Mar-10
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-17
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Wastategirl444: tiger posted earlier. If you filed JH online, it’s a different link. Republic is for walk-ins for JH

    Reply
  31. Wastategirl444

    @Guera: how do you check Pathward?

    Reply
  32. Wastategirl444

    @Chasingcarson_: yes same info as WMR

    Reply
    1
  33. Guera
    • Tax Preparer:
      Jackson Hewitt
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-18
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Blue 🐦(sent wrong account now check being mailed)
    • Bars:
      No Bars-PATH Act Message
    • Date Accepted:
      Feb-15
    • WMR Date:
      Mar-3
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      846 on 16th 12:16am DDD 2/22/2023
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • As of:
      Feb-20
    • I Got My Refund!

    Just called J Hewitt they have noooo clue how to contact or where to look at to check if bank has your refund for fees taken out if its not with a tax advance soooo noooo help there just a FYI. They only use republic bank if getting a advance with fees taken out IF JUST FEES NNNNOOOOO ADVANCE its pathward

    Reply
    2
  34. Chasingcarson_

    @Wastategirl444: are you putting in your federal amount?

    Reply
  35. Emily
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-31
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Chime
    • Bars:
      2nd Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Feb-12
    • Date Approved:
      Mar-19
    • WMR Date:
      Mar-24
    • Transcript:
      Mailed
    • TT 152
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Tigerlili_1: We’ll, I learned it from you. And you are the best when it comes to this. When you told me that first year I would get a day early I did and since then I only got it day early.

    Reply
  36. nailfanatic

    Is Pentagon Federal Credit Union a No Hold Bank?

    Reply
  37. Jenny04

    @Tigerlili_1: thanks! I figured that.. I’m bummed but it’s better than being in March like last year. Maybe it’ll come in sooner but highly doubt it. Next year I’m paying for fees upfront but I say that every year and I don’t lol. If there any chance of it being before the 2/22 at all tho?

    Reply
  38. Wastategirl444

    Ok I’m frustrated I use Jackson Hewitt online but when I try and log in to republic it says I have invalid information…it’s correct info. Why??!!!

    Reply
    1
  39. Chasingcarson_

    @CaseyR15: same! That’s why I’m so pressed about it. And I thought they were moving quick with everyone’s. Lol we’re just still in the waiting game

    Reply
  40. CaseyR15

    @Tigerlili_1: I’m trying lol

    But 430p is when my return has always come from Republic

    The only hope is that because things seem to be moving quickly at Republic this year it comes a little later in the day

    Reply
    1