Got an email from turbo tax saying my refund was accepted but no update on IRS

[Ccarter1029]

I received an email from Turbo Tax that my refund was processed but the IRS web site doesn’t show that information. I am confused on what is accurate. 

[xmasbaby0]

Use the IRS site

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 2023 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://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/2580357-who-provides-the-refund-processing-service

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...

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://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/internal-revenue-service/federal-refunds...

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

[Cynthiad66]

Only the IRS can issue refunds so the information received from the IRS will be accurate.  When your return is accepted, it means that the e-file is accepted and the IRS will begin processing the return. 

Check Here for your refund status.

[Ccarter1029]

I don’t believe my statement/question was fully understood.

I received an email From TurboTax that my refund was approved. 

when I got to the IRS website it doesn’t not show that.

why am I getting a message from TurboTax that my refund was approved if that is not the information that the IRS has? Meaning it looks like TurboTax is providing false information. 

[DoninGA]

@Ccarter1029 Read the email you received from TurboTax again.  You will notice that the email you received shows it was Accepted by the IRS.

Once a tax return has been Accepted by the IRS or a State, TurboTax receives no further information concerning the tax return or the status of any tax refund. 

Approved is an IRS procedural indicator after the tax return has been processed.

After the tax return has been Accepted by the IRS (meaning only that they received the return) it will be in the Processing mode until the tax refund has been Approved and then an Issue Date will be available on the IRS website.
See this IRS website for federal tax refund FAQ's - https://www.irs.gov/refunds/tax-season-refund-frequently-asked-questions

[xmasbaby0]

Does the email say "accepted" or does it say "approved"?   

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

[Ccarter1029]

[Ccarter1029]

[DoninGA]

@Ccarter1029 So click on Track my Refund

[Ccarter1029]

Right, did that and there is no update. So again why does that email say refund processed and the IRS page doesn’t reflect that?

[DoninGA]

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@Ccarter1029 wrote:

Right, did that and there is no update. So again why does that email say refund processed and the IRS page doesn’t reflect that?

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Unfortunately, that is a marketing message from TurboTax.  They have no idea if your tax refund is being issued.  They only go by the estimated date based on the IRS target of 21 days.  That is a target only and not a guarantee.

Only the IRS and your State control when and if a Federal or State tax refund is Approved and Issued.

Once a tax return has been Accepted by the IRS or a State, TurboTax receives no further information concerning the tax return or the status of any tax refund.

If accepted by the IRS use the federal tax refund website to check the refund status - https://www.irs.gov/refunds

If accepted by the state use this TurboTax support FAQ to check the state tax refund status - https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1899433-how-do-i-track-my-state-refund

After the tax return has been Accepted by the IRS (meaning only that they received the return) it will be in the Processing mode until the tax refund has been Approved and then an Issue Date will be available on the IRS website.
See this IRS website for federal tax refund FAQ's - https://www.irs.gov/refunds/tax-season-refund-frequently-asked-questions

[Ccarter1029]

This is incredibly misleading and frustrating. What that email states is that my refund has been processed. That in turn is providing misleading in accurate information since that update is not current.