I still haven't received my 2019 federal tax refund. I've tried to contact the IRS and have only gotten told to call back later. What should my next steps be?

[DoninGA]

Did you e-file your tax return and was it accepted?
Only the IRS and your State control when and if a Federal or State tax refund is Approved and Issued.

You complete your tax return by finishing all 3 Steps in the File section. In Step 3, to e-file your tax return, you must click on the large Orange button labeled "Transmit my returns now".

After completing the File section and e-filing your tax return you will receive two emails from TurboTax. The first email when your tax return was transmitted and the second email when the tax return has either been accepted or rejected.

Note - 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.  Only the taxpayer listed on the tax return can obtain the status of a tax refund or a tax return.

To check the status of an e-filed return, open up your desktop product or log into your TurboTax Online Account. You can find your status within the TurboTax product.
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
If over 21 days since being Accepted by the IRS and the tax refund is still Processing you can call the IRS and speak with an IRS agent concerning your tax refund.
Call the IRS: 1-800-829-1040 hours 7 AM - 7 PM local time Monday-Friday
When calling the IRS do NOT choose the first option re: "Refund", or it will send you to an automated phone line.
So after first choosing your language, then do NOT choose Option 1 (refund info). Choose option 2 for "personal income tax" instead.
Then press 1 for "form, tax history, or payment".
Then press 3 "for all other questions."
Then press 2 "for all other questions."
- When it asks you to enter your SSN or EIN to access your account information, don't enter anything.
- After it asks twice, you will get another menu.

Press 2 for personal or individual tax questions.
Then press 4 for all other inquiries
It should then transfer you to an agent.
Or you can contact your local IRS office. See this IRS website for local IRS offices - http://www.irs.gov/uac/Contact-Your-Local-IRS-Office-1 or call 1-844-545-5640 to set up an appointment
Or you may want to contact a Taxpayer Advocate in your area. See this IRS website for Taxpayer Advocate in your area and a toll free number - http://www.irs.gov/Advocate/Local-Taxpayer-Advocate

[tifday]

The IRS site no longer says processing for my refund status...now it says that it has no information about my return and that I should contact the preparer or the software company. However, from this forum and other 'help' references from turbotax, they could no longer help me once my return was accepted back in February.  I have contacted a tax advocate office.  Hopefully I will hear something soon in what direction to take or what to expect.   

[Mike9241]

keep trying to call the IRS.  some have reported that their tax advocate service would not help them in tracking their refund. 

[Opus 17]

Did you get your state tax refund (if you expected one)?

If you got a state tax refund, then we can deduce that both your returns were successfully transmitted.  If you have the acceptance email, that's proof it was received.  Unfortunately, we can't intervene with the IRS if they delayed or lost your return.  You can try contacting the Taxpayer Advocate.  Possibly you could mail a signed copy of your 2019 return to the IRS as a backup filing method, although this may cause problems if your e-filed return is still in the system.  Best first step is call the IRS, as lousy as that sounds.  

[tifday]

No state refund, came out even with NC. It  was received. I have the emails showing that both federal and state were accepted. Also, I showed in the IRS system as processing until recently.  I'll keep calling the IRS.  Thank you for your input!

[tifday]

 I honestly do not think I will be able to speak with a live person...I just tried again optimistically...forgetting all the times I've already heard the message. ...yeah I'll 'try again the next business day". LOL