Skip to main content
Level 2
March 13, 2021
Question

IRS "Get Refund Status" no record

  • March 13, 2021
  • 2 replies
  • 13 views

My Federal return was e-filed and accepted on February 21, 2021 at 2.57PM EST.  I still not have received my refund.  When I try to check the status via the IRS "Get Refund Status" tool, there is no record of my refund.

 

Yes, I am entering my SSN correctly.  Yes, I am entering the refund amount correctly.  I have checked on various days over the past three weeks with the same result.

 

Why is there no record?  Why haven't I received my refund?  

 

How do I independently verify that TurboTax transmitted my return properly?  TurboTax claims it was accepted and I received an email from TurboTax that it was accepted.

    2 replies

    Level 15
    March 13, 2021

    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-problem-should-i-be-worried

     

     

    https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/3397970-path-act-delayed-refunds-for-some-filers

     

     

    Still want to blame TurboTax?  Read on:

     

    https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/taxes/the-irs-is-behind-in-processing-nearly-7-million-tax-returns-slowing-refunds-as-it-implements-new-stimulus/ar-BB1excvi?ocid=msedgdhp

    **Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to offer the most correct information possible. The poster disclaims any legal responsibility for the accuracy of the information that is contained in this post.**
    gt5778bAuthor
    Level 2
    March 14, 2021

    How do I independently verify that TurboTax transmitted my return properly?  

     

    Can I use the IRS "Get Transcript" tool if there is no information on my refund status?