IRS says they didn't receive my taxes but turbo tax says accepted. What do I do?

[JakailaLO]

Accepted means your tax return is now in the government's hands and has passed the initial inspection (your verification info is correct, dependents haven't already been claimed by someone else, etc.).

After acceptance, the next step is for the government to approve your refund.

First,  they look for things like back taxes and unpaid child support. If they find any debts, they'll offset (reduce) your refund to cover the outstanding amount. Once they are satisfied that you have no outstanding debts, they will approve and then issue your refund.

Think of the e-filing/refund process along the lines of applying for a job; although the employer (government tax agency) has received (accepted) your job application, they still have to review (approve) your application before they grant you an interview (refund).

1. If you e-filed, start by checking your e-file status. https://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tools/efile-status-lookup/
2. Once you've received confirmation your federal return has been accepted, you'll be able to start tracking your refund at the IRS Where's My Refund? site..https://www.irs.gov/refunds

Paper-filers: The IRS asks you wait 4 weeks after you mail your return before looking up your refund at Where's My Refund? https://www.irs.gov/refunds

[bioniclady]

I'm having this issue. It's been 23 days since I submitted my tax returns. They state they've been accepted but I haven't received anything still. When I check the IRS "Refund Status" it states that it cannot find it. I get the below error message. I tried called turbotax which was an infuriating experience. Took over 5 minutes to get out of the automated phone tree and after another 30 minutes of an estimated 15 minute wait time I had to leave to get on a work conference call. 

"We cannot provide any information about your refund. Be sure to:

• verify your filing date;
• check with your tax preparer or tax software provider; or
• verify you received your electronically filed acknowledgement e-mail.

If you filed a complete and accurate tax return, your refund should be issued within 21 days of the received date. However, processing may take longer under certain circumstances."

[EbonyA]

Please review both FAQ's below:

No record of return on WMR

Why do some refunds take longer than others?

[bioniclady]

This doesn't help. I filed my taxes 2/24. It's now 3/23 and the IRS "Get my refund" still isn't showing my return status. I have an email from Turbotax on 2/24 stating "Your federal tax return was accepted by the IRS". 

What is going on?

[CarissaM]

Accepted means the IRS has taken ownership of the return, and now must process the return. 

If the Where's My Refund website is showing processing, they are still working on the return. 

You can reach out to the IRS directly by following the instructions here. 

[bioniclady]

It’s not showing anything. They cannot find the return.

[KatrinaLO]

Until the IRS starts processing it on their own, you may not find record of it or the website may say that you have put in incorrect information when tracking your federal refund. As your return moves through the system, the status of it will be updated accordingly. Please see here  for more information on checking the status of an e-filed return.

If accepted by the IRS use the federal tax refund website to check the refund status as it moves through the process here.

See the video in this link for a really good explanation of the process: 

https://www.refundschedule.com/irs-wheres-refund-status-bars-disappeared/

[bioniclady]

I keep getting the same message from you guys. But it feels as though you guys aren't reading what I'm writing.

The IRS has accepted my tax return. They accepted it on 2/24/2021.

I cannot track in via the "where's my refund" portal. As of today it tells me that it cannot provide any information on my refund. The filing date is correct. The information is correct. I have verified that I have received my acceptance email from Turbo Tax and Federal/State acceptances. IRS is telling me to check with my tax filer (Turbo Tax). But every time I try to check with you guys I sit on hold for 30+ minutes and then I have to work. The answer I'm getting from the "tax experts" on this forum is to check the IRS website.

"We cannot provide any information about your refund. Be sure to:

• verify your filing date;
• check with your tax preparer or tax software provider; or
• verify you received your electronically filed acknowledgement e-mail.

If you filed a complete and accurate tax return, your refund should be issued within 21 days of the received date. However, processing may take longer under certain circumstances."

[KatrinaLO]

It's been 26 days since you filed and were accepted. It takes time for the IRS to process tax returns and this year even longer. Overall, the IRS anticipates nine out of 10 taxpayers will receive their refund within 21 days of when they file electronically with direct deposit if there are no issues with their tax return. This tax year is clearly taking longer than past years, due to the pandemic and stimulus processing. 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. Per the IRS website IRS Operations During COVID-19: Mission-critical functions continue: Please visit here and see all services that have slowed down or been delayed due to Covid-19.

[bioniclady]

Thank you! I suppose I'll keep waiting then.

[boubyscaed]

Not helping disappointed

Filed since last year for 2019 tax refund and TurboTax said IRS accepted and IRS doesn’t have any record called then said no record yet check IRS account no record so paid for no record I’ve called TURBOTAX a agent told me was accepted and they have a lot going there so they will take care of it soon and now 2020 tax return. Was a first time with TurboTax and I a regret. Very disappointed. 

[AkinaLO]

Please contact TurboTax support for assistance in looking up your tax filing history. 

What is the TurboTax phone number?

[boubyscaed]

How many time do I need to contact TurboTax I did and still not slowed so who doesn’t do is job come on.... too easy to seat behind your computer and reply contacts TurboTax for assistance after finish to pay for a service (wasn’t free) and still waiting after 1 year that’s not good and again this is not a good customer service. 

[SamS1]

Go to IRS.gov and get a transcript of your 2019 return.  You would be able to see if it has been processed and if your refund was issued.  Here is the link to get a free online transcript.  

A TurboTax agent should be able to tell you if your return was accepted or rejected.  Sounds like you have called but here are the phone numbers again.  We're open daily from 5:00 AM to 9:00 PM PT.  Click here to get you the help you need.