I received my state tax refund but not my federal refund why is that?

[mesquitebean]

The two refunds come from 2 different tax agencies at different times.  There's no way to predict which one will come first.

Did you efile the state return?   If so, the fact that you got your state refund implies that your Federal return has also been successfully efiled and accepted.   Did you get the Federal acceptance notice after efiling?

Now you have to wait until the IRS finishes processing your Federal return, approves it (hopefully), and releases it.

You can follow the Federal refund status here:

https://www.irs.gov/Refunds

[Natasha112385]

I am having same issue not gettimg my federal rufund .already got state refund! And its been a filed way past 21 days and every website for irs I try to locate it or see if I am having it taken and theres no information or debt for me at this time?  So who will or can tell me whats going on cuz even turbo tax. Cant answer me b.c. it was successfully filed and accepted but ive only received state rufund card not federal so I'm left in the dark??? 

[xmasbaby0]

@Natasha112385

Federal and state refunds come from completely separate entities,  There is no rule as to which one will come first or how much time there will be between their arrivals.

IRS phone lines supported by customer service representatives for both taxpayers and tax professionals are not staffed at this time. To check on regular tax refund status via automated phone, call 800-829-1954. (This line has no information on Economic Impact Payments.)

https://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tools/efile-status-lookup/

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.  Many refunds are taking longer during the pandemic. 

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 20 of your 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...

https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/20/politics/irs-mail-trailers-covid/index.html

[Qw86]

Did you ever receive your federal refund for 2020????

[Cynthiad66]

Please rephrase your question to provide more details so that we may assist you.

[Leticiahuaracha]

I filed electronically February 2nd 2022 and picked direct deposit and both federal and state were accepted the same day . I just got my state refund on a Saturday morning February 26 2022

now I’m just waiting on my federal it’s been a month and 2 days 

should I call or wait 

will it come this week or next?

[MichelleLO]

The IRS and your state operate independently of each other and therefore, the time frame in which each return is accepted and processed can vary.  It is not unusual that you received your state return before your federal. 

The IRS generally releases most refunds within 21 calendar days after the e-file has been accepted. To get the most up-to-date status of your federal return, please visit the IRS Where's My Refund? site. You can check the status of your return every 24 hours as they do update the site daily - usually in the overnight hours. 

[Shredgee]

Have you received your federal back yet I’m having the same issue and I’ve got my state back weeks ago so I’m literally confused 

[mesquitebean]

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@ Shredgee wrote:

Have you received your federal back yet I’m having the same issue and I’ve got my state back weeks ago so I’m literally confused 

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If you efiled the Federal and state returns at the same time, and if you have received your state refund, then that implies the Federal efile was accepted for processing, or the state efile would not have been accepted.

In any case, if you efiled, you can double-check to be sure the return was efiled successfully and accepted.
If you used Online TurboTax, you can sign into your Online Account and check the efile status at the Tax Home.

If that showed it was accepted (or if you filed by mail), you can use the "Where's My Refund" tool at the IRS website below to check on the status of your Federal refund.  
https://www.irs.gov/Refunds

TIPS when using the IRS WMR tool:

• Be sure you enter the correct SSN and filing status.
• Be sure you are using only the Federal refund amount.   Do not include any state refund or any total refund or net refund (Fed and State) that TurboTax may have provided on a screen.  
• Also be sure you are using the Federal amount before any TurboTax fees are taken out (if you chose that option.)
• Look at your actual Federal return to get the Federal refund amount, i.e., your Form 1040, Line 35a.

• If the IRS WMR tool says it cannot find your info, you can also try phoning the IRS refund hotline.  I've seen it work for some users when the WMR tool didn't.  800-829-1954

If the IRS WMR tool says your return is "still being processed," and it's been longer than 21 days, you can phone the IRS if you wish to inquire about the delay, but they are very difficult to reach.  I've had the best luck when phoning real late in the day, just before they close.  If I get into their queue around 6:55 PM, they continue to finish helping those still in the queue.  I still had to wait 25 minutes or so.

IRS:  800-829-1040 (7AM-7 PM local time) Monday-Friday

When calling the IRS do not choose the first choice re: "Refund", or it will send you to an automated phone line.

• First choose your language.  Then listen to each menu before making the selection.
• Then press 2 for "personal income tax".
• Then press 1 for "form, tax history, or payment".  
• Then press 3 "for all other questions."
• Then press 2 "for all other questions." 
• It may then ask for your SSN, but do not enter it.  Just wait.    If it asks for SSN a second time, still do not enter it.
• Then it will get "tired", and you'll get another menu.  Choose 2 for "personal".
• Then in the next menu choose 4 for "all other inquiries", and it should transfer you to an agent but expect a long wait.
• I usually use a speakerphone so I can work on something else while waiting.

[DanielleA21]

Did you ever get it?

[mesquitebean]

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@DanielleA21 wrote:

Did you ever get it?

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This is an old thread from about 4 years ago, and the latest comment is from 2022, concerning a 2021 return.  It's unknown who you are commenting to or why.   If you need to know something about your issue, you need to explain your issue and see if someone will comment.   Scroll through this thread, and you'll see a previous comment from me on detailed steps for checking the IRS WMR website, and how to phone the IRS if necessary.

[Momand]

I don't understand why I have not received my federal at this time. Nothing has changed, both were accepted and I received my state.

[xmasbaby0]

@Momand

Federal and state refunds come from completely separate entities.  There is no rule as to which one will come in first or how long it will be between their arrival in your account.

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