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9 replies

June 1, 2019

Here is a breakdown of IRS processing times, how your tax return will progress through 3 stages with the IRS (“Return Received”, “Return Approved”, and “Refund Sent” once you e-file), and where you can go to check your refund status.

Refund Processing Time

  • E-filed tax returns with direct deposit – E-file with direct deposit is the fastest way to get your federal tax refund. The IRS states that 9 out of 10 e-filed tax returns with direct deposit will be processed within 21 days of IRS e-file acceptance.
  • Mailed paper returns – Refund processing time is 6 to 8 weeks from the date the IRS receives your tax return.

Refund Process

  1. Start checking status 24 – 48 hours after e-file – Once you have e-filed your tax return, you can check status using IRS Where’s My Refund? You will not be able to start checking the status of your tax refund for 4 weeks if you mail a paper tax return.
  2. Return Received Notice within 24 – 48 hours after e-file – The IRS Where’s My Refund tool will show “Return Received” status once they begin processing your tax return.  You will not see a refund date until the IRS finishes processing your tax return and approves your tax refund.
  3. Status change from “Return Received” to “Refund Approved” – Once the IRS finishes processing your tax return and confirms your tax refund is approved, your status will change from “Return Received” to “Refund Approved”. Sometimes the change in status can take a few days, but it could take longer and a date will not be provided in Where’s My Refund? until your tax return is processed and your tax refund is approved.
  4. Where’s My Refund? tool shows refund date – The IRS will provide a personalized refund date once your status moves to “Refund Approved”. The IRS issues 9 out of 10 refunds within 21 days of acceptance if you e-file with direct deposit.
  5. Where’s My Refund? shows “Refund Sent” – If the status in Where’s My Refund? shows “Refund Sent”, the IRS has sent your tax refund to your financial institution for direct deposit. It can take 1 to 5 days for your financial institution to deposit funds into your account. If you requested that your tax refund be mailed, it could take several weeks for your check to arrive.

Here are more answers to your common tax refund questions:

Will I see a date right away when I check status in “Where’s My Refund”? 

Where’s My Refund tool will not give you a date until your tax return is received, processed, and your tax refund is approved by the IRS.

It’s been longer than 21 days since the IRS has received my tax return and I have not received my tax refund.  What’s happening?

Some tax returns take longer than others to process depending on your tax situation. Some of the reasons it may take longer are incomplete information, an error, or the IRS needs to review it further.

The Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act, signed into law in December 2015, requires the IRS to hold tax refunds that include Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC) until February 15, 2017 regardless of what method you used to file your taxes.  The IRS began accepting and processing tax returns when they opened for the season on January 23, 2017. Tax refunds for those who claim Earned Income Tax Credit or Additional Child Tax Credit will begin to be issued on February 15, 2017, so there’s no need to wait! The sooner you e-file your return, the sooner you’ll get your tax refund. According to the IRS, taxpayers who claim the EITC or ACTC will likely see refunds the week of February 27.

Level 2
June 1, 2019
What about for 2018?
Level 2
June 1, 2019

Can you get federal refund before date says sent status?  

Level 2
June 1, 2019
I think so. Mine never registered in the system.
Level 2
January 29, 2020

I filed my taxes on the 22 how more days does it take to.comw back.

Level 11
January 29, 2020

The IRS issues most refunds in about 21 days, although some returns take more time to review.You would want to check your e-file status first. If it's been processes and accepted, you can begin tracking your refund at Where's My Refund? using the link below:

 

Where's My Refund

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Level 2
February 7, 2020

It’s been over 72 hours and I have not received my confirmation email to track my refund. Please advise.

Level 8
February 7, 2020

If accepted by the IRS use the federal tax refund website to check the refund status - https://www.irs.gov/refunds
If accepted by the state use this TurboTax support FAQ to check the state tax refund status - https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1899433-how-do-i-track-my-state-refund

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Level 2
February 7, 2020

To clarify, my question is, How long befor I receive the confirmation email from the IRS?, the websit states confirmation to be received within 72 hours, it’s has been a week.

 

Thank you.

 

SForrestLO
Level 11
February 7, 2020

The IRS began accepting returns on January 27th. It takes about 21 days for the IRS to issue a refund, once the Return has been Accepted. To get an actual date for when you will receive your refund, please go to www.irs.gov/refund. If have already checked this website and it says Approved, the IRS says: "We’ve approved your refund. We are preparing to send your refund to your bank or directly to you in the mail. This status will tell you when we will send the refund to your bank (if you selected the direct deposit option). Please wait 5 days after we’ve sent the refund to check with your bank about your refund, since banks vary in how and when they credit funds. (It could take several weeks before you receive a mailed refund check.)

 

Continue to check the IRS website Where's My Refund section. https://www.irs.gov/refunds/tax-season-refund-frequently-asked-questions

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Level 2
February 14, 2020

How long does it take to get taxes back

DoninGA
Level 15
Level 15
February 14, 2020

@James52 wrote:

How long does it take to get taxes back


Only the IRS and your State control when and if a Federal or State tax refund is Approved and Issued.

 

Once a tax return has been Accepted by the IRS or a State, TurboTax receives no further information concerning the tax return or the status of any tax refund.

 

If accepted by the IRS use the federal tax refund website to check the refund status - https://www.irs.gov/refunds
If accepted by the state use this TurboTax support FAQ to check the state tax refund status - https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1899433-how-do-i-track-my-state-refund

 

After the tax return has been Accepted by the IRS (meaning only that they received the return) it will be in the Processing mode until the tax refund has been Approved and then an Issue Date will be available on the IRS website.
See this IRS website for federal tax refund FAQ's - https://www.irs.gov/refunds/tax-season-refund-frequently-asked-questions

Level 2
February 27, 2020

How long does it to get my taxes back 

Level 13
February 27, 2020

TurboTax does not receive updates from the IRS once they have accepted your return. The IRS issues most refunds in about 21 days, although some returns take more time to review. To find out where your refund is, first check your e-file status. If it's been processed and accepted, you can begin to track your refund at the IRS Where's My Refund? site.  You'll need your Social Security number or ITIN, filing status, and the exact amount of your refund to check your status. The IRS will issue your refund when your return is approved.

 

If it has been more than 21 days since your return was accepted,  You will need to contact the IRS  at 1-800-829-1040 and follow the prompts for a live representative. The person that you speak with will have direct access to your tax return and be able to provide you with a status update. 

 

When you call, make sure you have the following information:

  • tax year
  • social security number
  • filing status
  • exact refund amount


Please click When will I get my IRS tax refund? to learn more.

 

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Level 2
February 28, 2020

I sent in my taxes right away after getting my W2. After a month and a half I got a letter saying they needed a 8926 form which I sent in right away. Does anyone know how long after sending that in for my taxes to get approved? 

CassLO
Level 11
February 28, 2020

@mkm134 It looks like it is taking approximately 6-8 weeks. Please see this discussion.

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