Why is my return taking so long to process?

Mine was supposed to be here on 3/4. Still nothing. It still is claiming to be "processing". I am so irritated, everyone I know has already gotten their returns, people who did their taxes way later than me. I filed in the end of January.  Not to mention I did my taxes on the free version - then at the end it told me I HAD to pay $150!!!!! for the DELUXE version because I have a 401k account, and so I ended up paying because I was exhausted and spent hours doing them. Now I have spent $150 on my credit card to Turbo Tax when I could have went to a CPA for $125 and had my refund with her doing my taxes for me. I feel so stupid. Thanks a lot Turbo Tax.

Most refunds are received within 21 days from the time a return has been accepted (received). However, some returns take longer than others. It's possible your return may require additional review and take longer to process.

The IRS is also experiencing delays in processing returns due to a later than usual start to the tax season, a backlog of mailed returns, and current tax season returns. 

For more information, please see My return is accepted but still not approved. Is there a problem? Should I be worried?

@Ceo89

Turbo Tax does not issue your refund - the IRS does. If WMR stated that your refund was deposited yesterday and you did not receive it, then you will need to contact the IRS directly. I have provided the phone number in my previous response @cyanosh1.

TurboTax does not receive updates/information on why your refund may be delayed by the IRS. Please see this for more information from the IRS: Tax Season Refund Frequently Asked Questions

@rtobin20

@sescobar04 I am sorry you are having trouble getting your tax return processed. TurboTax aids customers in the preparation and filing of their tax return under guidelines promulgated by the IRS. Once the return is accepted by the IRS, TurboTax nor any other tax software provider has any input as to how the tax return is processed. In other words, we have done what any other service would have done, helped you prepare the return and filed it. After that, it will get the same treatment by the IRS, so the processing of your return would not be any different if you had chosen another tax software provider.

According to this IRS update as of April 23rd:    

The IRS is now opening mail within normal timeframes. The IRS has also made significant progress in processing prior year returns. As of April 16, 2021, we had 1.5 million individual tax returns received prior to 2021 in the processing pipeline. Including current year returns, as of April 16, 2021, we had 16.1 million unprocessed individual returns in the pipeline. Unprocessed returns include those requiring correction to the Recovery Rebate Credit amount or validation of 2019 income used to figure the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC). This work does not require us to correspond with taxpayers but does require special handling by an IRS employee so, in these instances, it is taking the IRS more than 21 days to issue any related refund. If, as a result, a correction is made to any RRC, EITC or ACTC claimed on the return, the IRS will send taxpayers an explanation. Taxpayers are encouraged to continue to check Where’s My Refund? for their personalized refund status and can review Tax Season Refund Frequently Asked Questions.   

How long you may have to wait: The IRS understands the importance of timely processing of tax returns and refund issuance. We are processing returns received over the summer and fall in 2020 due to the extended July 15, 2020 tax filing due date. While the majority of 2019 refund returns have been processed, in some cases, we are processing tax returns that were mailed with a payment even though payment associated with these returns have been processed by the IRS. However, we are rerouting tax returns and taxpayer correspondence from locations that are behind to locations where more staff is available, and we are taking other actions to minimize any delays. Tax returns are opened in the order received. As the return is processed, it may be delayed because it has a mistake including errors concerning the Recovery Rebate Credit, is missing information, or there is suspected identity theft or fraud. If we can fix it without contacting you, we will. If we need more information or need you to verify that it was you who sent the tax return, we will write you a letter. The resolution of these issues depends on how quickly and accurately you respond, and the ability of IRS staff trained and working under social distancing requirements to complete the processing of your return.   

What you should do: If you filed electronically and received an acknowledgement, you do not need to take any further action other than promptly responding to any requests for information. If you filed on paper, check Where’s my refund? If it tells you we have received your return or are processing or reviewing it, we are processing your return, but it may be under review. We’re working hard to get through the backlog. Please don’t file a second tax return or contact the IRS about the status of your return.   

If it shows ''in process'', that means that only the IRS knows what the delay is, unfortunately.   They are reviewing something on your return, but that something could be anything.  You can either try contacting them or wait for correspondence that will arrive by US mail.  

Tax Season Refund Frequently Asked Questions - Link lists possible reasons for the delay.    @Arlene915

Here is a link to a thread that details how to go through the automated phone prompts to reach a live representative.  The steps may save you some frustration.   You can also search for a local IRS office in your area.  It may be easier to contact a local representative than using the main phone number.    You can use the ''make an appointment'' option even if you have no intention of going to the office, but that may get you a live person on the phone (making appointments at most locations is NOT automated) that can provide you some info.   They have access to the same information.  

You can check your fees by clicking on Tax Tools on the left.   Then choose Tools and from there, click on My Fees.   This should show a breakdown of the fees you are incurring.    What fee are you asking about?   

The IRS issues refunds, not TurboTax. This means that we can't say for sure why you haven’t received your refund if it's been longer than 21 days since you e-filed. You'll have to speak directly to IRS to find out more about the delay.

When to contact the IRS  -  use the contact options above to speak with a live representative if you decide to contact the IRS.

What makes refunds late?