I filed my 2020 tax return on 2/19/21 electronically. The IRS Track My Refund tool says they have NO information about my return. Why?!

[bcrumpton-straig]

I've already tried to call the IRS several times and they are literally NOT taking phone calls. When I used the automated help chat on TurboTax's website, it said it looks like I didn't file a return. I have the confirmation email from TurboTax!

[xmasbaby0]

Sadly, the IRS refund site has been behaving erratically and has not always reliable this year.   TurboTax has no control over this and cannot find out anything about your refund for you.

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.

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...

[bcrumpton-straig]

@xmasbaby0  Thank you so much for the answer. I was worried because the IRS Where's My Refund Tool said it didn't have any information about my return and the same thing when I called and used their automated system. This has put my mind at ease for the time being. Thank you again!