Why hasn’t my return been accepted it’s been 10 days I’ve never waited this long to have it accepted

The IRS will not be Accepting 2025 federal tax returns until 01/26/2026

Your return is sitting in "pending" on a server, waiting for the IRS to open on January 26.

MY RETURN IS IN PENDING—what does that mean?

You will not get any information from the IRS refund site while your return is in pending.  The IRS does not have your return yet.

Did you e-file?  Did you click that big orange button that said “Transmit my returns now?”  If so, your return is now in “pending” on a server.  Do not try to change anything while your return is in pending.On January  26  the IRS will begin to accept/reject e-files.  The IRS accepts a FEW returns in test batches ahead of January 26—-but that is very random.   Watch your emails—including your spam folder—for the notice about whether your e-file has been accepted or rejected.  If your return is rejected you will be able to make corrections before re-filing.   If the return you e-filed is accepted you will have to wait until it has been fully processed and then amend it to fix any mistakes or omissions.  It has been taking the IRS four to six months—sometimes longer—to process amended returns.   If you e-filed your state return there will be another email later that tells you if the state was accepted or rejected.

WARNING:   Do not try to change anything on your return while it is pending.

https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-announces-first-day-of-2026-filing-season-online-tools-and-

Hi @xxserenityxx,

If you e-filed your return before the IRS starts processing returns this year, it'll stay in pending status until then. After that, e-filed returns generally sit in pending status for 24–48 hours before being either accepted or rejected. You can read more here.

Did the replies above answer your question? If so, select “Mark as Best Answer” to help others find this thread. Respond below with any follow-up questions so we can point you in the right direction.

If you’d like to change subjects, Select a Topic and find the button to Post your Question.
Thanks for joining the Community, @xxserenityxx 

**Say “Thanks” by clicking the thumb icon in a post
**Mark the post that answers your question by clicking on “Mark as Best Answer”
 

e-filing is supposed to open 1/26.