Filed taxes 1/20/19. Still pending. Why is it taking so long to be accepted?

[mesquitebean · Accepted solution]

The IRS started officially taking returns on Monday, January 28.   So that's really when the clock started ticking.  With the huge backlog on opening day, it might take longer than usual.   Some people had long "pending" periods last year when they first opened.

[lovinglibra78]

I’m having a problem with state only. Been in pending status since Jan 21 it’s very abnormal for me to have already gotten my federal refund and state not even accepted. I called my state was told they never received it. They do NOT have it. And now I have to re file on my state website. This scares me to file twice and turbo tax customer care has not helped me I’ve called twice and they only say they can do nothing. Very very disappointed and upset about this issue.

[mosesmichel]

Mine is also in pending status. It's been 3 weeks. Friends got their state in a week.

[mesquitebean]

@mosesmichel
You need to explain your situation.  Are you referring to a Federal or a state return, or both?   

What does this tool say for the efile status of the Federal and state returns?
<a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://shop.turbotax.intuit.com/efile/efile_status_lookup.jsp">https://shop.turbotax.intuit.com/efi...>

[mosesmichel]

I am referring to state. I checked with the tax board (California) it shows it was received the 5th and is still processing.

[mesquitebean]

Only the CA FTB will know what all they are doing with your return.   However, the 5th is not that long ago, so that is well within normal.

Out of curiosity, you said in a comment above that you were in "pending status."  "Pending" is a term used for efiling, so that's why I gave you the efile status check tool.   If CA received your return and is processing it, that should imply that your efile status is "accepted."   And that efile status tool should say "accepted".     Or are you saying that the efile status check tool or your Online TurboTax account is still showing an efile status of "pending" even though CA has received and is processing your return?

[mosesmichel]

I apologize. Processing  My state is still processing since the 5th.  Usually I receive state back within 5 days to a week. My wife filed  after me and received hers within 5 days of filing.

[mesquitebean]

I believe the CA website says typically a refund is within 14 days, but that means there are a number that take longer, including some that may undergo additional processing at random to check for accuracy, fraud, etc.  Some states have some FAQs on the refund section the state tax website that says when people should phone to check on it.

[bert334]

My preparer done my taxes on Intuit too.  and he says it takes up to 21 days for the IRS to accept them.....?  is this true??  I've never had this happen before.  

[mesquitebean]

bert334  
You appear to be confusing the terms "accepted" and "approved."    "Accepted" merely refers to the initial efiling status.  An efiled return is generally accepted or rejected in 24-48 hours.  Then the IRS starts processing the return, which normally can take up to 21 days before a refund is approved, but can take longer.

I see you also started another thread here:
<a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/4681382-irs-not-accepted">https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/468138...>

Your tax preparer would need to provide you info on whether the efile was accepted 24-48 hours after efiling.  And if the preparer confirms the efile return was accepted for processing at the IRS, and it's been longer than 21 days, you can phone the IRS to ask about the delay.   So you need to pin down the preparer on what all they did, and if they confirmed that the efiled return was accepted shortly after they efiled it.