If the IRS agrees that your return is correct, then you should eventually get any Federal refund that is owed to you. Sometimes it just takes a long time. Occasionally the IRS might revise something which changes the amount of refund due.
"Accepted" is an efile status term that means if you efiled, that the IRS agreed to start processing the return. If you log in to your Online account, if you successfully efiled, the Tax Home should show that it was "accepted." "Accepted" is not the same thing as "approved."
The IRS says 9 out of 10 filers who efile and choose direct deposit will get their Federal refunds within 21 days after being accepted. Some returns are processed fairly quickly, while others require additional processing due to specific items in the return and can take a lot longer. Some are pulled at random for more thorough investigation.
This IRS FAQ gives some situations where it might take longer than 21 days:
https://www.irs.gov/refunds/tax-season-refund-frequently-asked-questions
Here are some things you should check:
If you efiled, double-check to be sure the returns were efiled successfully and accepted.
If you used Online TurboTax, you can sign into your Online Account and check the efile status at the Tax Home.
If that showed it was accepted, you can use the "Where's My Refund" tool at the IRS website below to monitor the status of your Federal refund. Wait until at least 24 hours after acceptance before using the tool.
https://www.irs.gov/wheres-my-refund
NOTE:
- When using that tool, be sure to enter the correct tax year, SSN and filing status.
- For the refund amount, use only the Federal refund amount, and not any total refund amount that includes a state refund.
- If you chose to pay TurboTax fees out of your Federal refund, then be sure to use the Federal refund amount before any fees were taken out.
- The amount to use is on your Federal Form 1040, Line 35a.
- You can also try phoning the IRS refund hotline. I've seen it work for some users when the WMR tool didn't. 800-829-1954
FAQ: How do I track my state refund?
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/refund-status/help/how-do-i-track-my-state-refund/00/25571
