I filed my taxes (1040ez) on February 12th and its still sitting in "recieved" on the IRS website. Why is this simple return not being processed?

[karimaureen]

I have a very simple tax return, my husband and I both have had the same job all year, and a mortgage. That is all our taxes consisted of. I filed the day the IRS accepted returns - February 12. I e-filed through turbo tax, with direct deposit being the same I've used for years now.  Why are many of my friends with more complicated returns getting their refunds so quickly, when mine is still stuck in "received" on the IRS website?

[xmasbaby0]

You are always going to find someone else whose refund arrived faster, and someone who waited even longer than you.  That is the way it goes. Returns are not processed “first in — first out.”

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...

[karimaureen]

I appreciate the response, id like to clarify my question.

I'm not following my tax return through turbo tax.  I've used turbo tax over a decade now, I understand turbo tax and it's capabilities.

I am following my return via the IRS website.  I understand that it's not first come first serve.  My question is why has my tax return not moved from the "recieved" status via the irs website eith my return being a very easy, basic return.  

My concern is there is something wrong and I need to follow up somehow- or it is stuck somewhere and won't be moving until I call to verify something. I have no idea the issue - I just know it's been over the "21 days to process your return" time. This is my only concern. That is why I'm reaching out to the community to see if anyone has experienced this delay.  I am pushing the month mark and it's not making sense.  

So to clarify, I'm not complaining or being impatient/comparing myself to my friends. I'm simply saying the IRS said 21 days to process an e-file tax return. I'm pushing a month. Im concerned something is needed on my part and the IRS hasn't reached out for some reason. 

[DoninGA]

@karimaureen The 21 days is an IRS Target only, it is not a guarantee.  Many 2020 tax returns have been processed and refunds issued and many tax returns have not yet been processed.  The only information for a tax refund is through the IRS.

On the IRS website for federal tax refund FAQ's it states - https://www.irs.gov/refunds/tax-season-refund-frequently-asked-questions

It's been longer than 21 days since the IRS received my return and I haven’t gotten my refund. Why?

Some tax returns take longer to process than others for many reasons, including when a return:

• Includes errors
• Is incomplete
• Is affected by identity theft or fraud
• Includes a claim filed for an Earned Income Tax Credit or an Additional Child Tax Credit. See Q&A below.
• Includes a Form 8379, Injured Spouse Allocation PDF, which could take up to 14 weeks to process
• Needs further review in general

We will contact you by mail when we need more information to process your return.

[MrB79]

Well said.   I have the exact same problem with mine. (Dates are the same also)

[CatinaT1]

Once your return is filed, TurboTax has no control over the processing of your return or the release of your refund.

Here are a couple FAQs to track your refund:
When will I get my federal tax refund?
How do I track my state refund?
Why does Where's My Refund say "approved" but TurboTax still says "accepted"?