After tax return was accepted by IRS TurboTax status showed estimated refund as February 11th then it disappeared a few days later. What does that mean?

[xmasbaby0]

The date TurboTax gave you does not mean much.   Only the IRS controls when you get your refund.

TurboTax gives you an estimated date for receiving your refund based on a 21 day average from your date of acceptance, but it can take longer.  “21 days”  is not a promise from TurboTax or the IRS. 

First, check your e-file status to see if your return was accepted: 

https://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tools/efile-status-lookup/

Once your federal return has been accepted by the IRS, only the IRS has any control.  TurboTax does not receive any updates from the IRS. Your ONLY source of information about your refund now is the IRS.

You need your filing status, your Social Security number and the exact amount  (line 35a of your 2024 Form 1040) of your federal refund to track your Federal refund:   

https://www.irs.gov/refunds

To track your state refund:    

https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/tax-refund/track-state-refund/L3jgO8PGs_...

If you chose to have your TurboTax fees deducted from your federal refund, that will take some extra time, while the third party bank handles the refund processing

.

If you are getting earned income credit on line 27 or additional child tax credit on line 28 You are subject to the delay required by the PATH act.  Do not expect your refund earlier than late February.

https://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tips/irs-tax-return/what-is-the-path-act-and-how-may-it-impact-your-...

Note:  “Accepted” is not the same as “approved”.  TurboTax tells you the e-file was accepted if the IRS deems that there is enough information on the return for them to take it in for processing.   Only the IRS can approve of the refund, which is a later stage of processing.  If the IRS approves your refund they will provide a date for the refund to be issued.

[clevacook7]

I was only inquiring about the estimated refund date of 02/11/2025 that was shown in TurboTax app itself. February 11th marks 21 days after my return was accepted by the IRS. I paid for the 5 day refund early deposit so just curious about the app itself and how this early refund is going to work. First time using this option.

[xmasbaby0 · Accepted solution]

This is the first year a "5 day early" option has ever been offered.  Frankly I am very skeptical about that offer-- do  not have unrealistic hopes---if you are subject to the PATH act for earned income credit or additional child tax credit, the IRS is required to hold your refund until mid-February.    Watch the IRS refund site for a date.  When you see a date there---count backwards on a calendar for five days.   That *might* be more realistic.

[clevacook7]

Thank you!

[Ashguz88]

Mine was accepted by irs turbo tax as well on 1/18 and it originally gave me an estimated refund delivery date of 2/7. As I signed up for the 5 day early delivery as well, my refund estimated date disappeared. So I’m assuming it’s coming sooner that’s why the date is gone. I was wondering if yours did the same. It shows up in green that I signed up for my refund to be delivered 5 days early in green but like I said the original estimated refund delivery date isn’t there after the 5 days early popped up. 

[Mcgreen14]

Did you ever receive your return yet? Mine was the exact same as yours, accepted on 1/18 and estimated that I would receive it 2/7 but the date has disappeared and it just says I signed up for 5 days early deposit but have yet to receive it

[xmasbaby0]

@Mcgreen14

I PAID $25 FOR A 5 day early refund

 TurboTax has NO control over the amount of time it can take the IRS to process your tax return and issue your refund.   TT gives you an estimated refund date based only on a 21 day average, which is not a promise from TT or the IRS.

Has the IRS accepted your e-file?  

First, check your e-file status to see if your return was accepted: 

https://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tools/efile-status-lookup/

Has the IRS processed your tax return and provided an issue date for the refund on the IRS refund site?   If so, count backwards on your calendar for those five days and hope for the best..

You need your filing status, your Social Security number and the exact amount  (line 35a of your 2024 Form 1040) of your federal refund to track your Federal refund:   

https://www.irs.gov/refunds

 Are you subject to the PATH act which means if you are getting earned income credit or additional child tax credit they are required to hold your refund until February 15?

https://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tips/irs-tax-return/what-is-the-path-act-and-how-may-it-impact-your-...

If you are subject to PATH, do not expect your refund before early March.  Be very pleasantly surprised it it comes sooner.

https://turbotax.intuit.com/early-tax-refunds/

Remember that the “”5 day early” date is based on the date given to you on the IRS refund site—-not the date the TT site shows in your account.   If your refund does not come in five days ahead of the IRS date, they are supposed to cancel the $25 fee.