Delayed Refund; Accepted 3/22/2021

[JJYoung]

e-filed on 3/22 and accepted.  I've been trying to talk with a live person at TurboTax but can't get one.  I've read all the Q&As why the return could be delayed and I'm thinking it's because there's a EIC on line 27.  Not sure why.  I never answered any questions that I had a child or dependent.  I rely on Turbo Tax to process the return correctly.  How do I find out why Turbo Tax determined I had a EIC and if that's what's holding up my return.  If it's wrong, how do I get it corrected?

[xmasbaby0]

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/personalfinance/where-is-my-damn-irs-tax-refund-new-answers-emerge-a...

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.   Many refunds are taking longer during the pandemic.  The IRS is backlogged —-they are still trying to process millions of 2019 returns; they received millions of e-filed on the day they opened for 2020 returns, and now they are burdened with sending out another round of stimulus checks.   

Some delays are resulting from incorrect amounts that folks entered for stimulus checks they received.   Many people have been confused by the recovery rebate credit and completed it incorrectly.  The IRS may delay your refund while they cross-check to see what you received.  Some refunds are delayed because of the tax law changes that went into effect recently.   If your return has unemployment or the premium tax credit on it, that may be delaying it.

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 34of your 2020 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/questions/1899433-how-do-i-track-my-state-refund

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1901548-why-do-some-refunds-take-longer-than-others

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.

https://www.irs.gov/refunds/tax-season-refund-frequently-asked-questions

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/2840013-does-accepted-mean-my-refund-is-approved

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/2724106-my-return-is-accepted-but-still-not-approved-is-there-a-pr...

[JotikaT2]

TurboTax takes the information you enter into the tax program and will let you know if you qualify for any credits as you prepare your tax return.  The Earned Income Credit (EIC) can also apply if you did not have children.  Please see the link below for more details.

Earned Income Credit amounts

If you determine the tax return is incorrect, you have the option to amend your return.  But you should wait until the return is processed and you receive your refund.

Please see the link below for assistance if you determine you need to amend your return.

Steps for amending a tax return