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).
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
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:
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."
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?
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.
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/
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:
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."
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.
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.
Please contact TurboTax support for assistance in looking up your tax filing history.
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.
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.
hey did you ever get help? I'm having the some problem and it's be 2 months
No still waiting I spoke with turbo they gave me number and was told that because i owe money They ain’t going to see that on IRS ACCOUNT and IRS didn’t say that to me. And the transcript don’t show nothing about 2019.
Still waiting. IRS finally shows my tax return as received after two months. I believe turbo tax is right, it’s truly the IRS being slow. Just keep checking! IRS owes me a lot of money so I’m anxiously waiting.
Unfortunately, the Where's My Refund site has been erratic and unreliable. But if TT told you that the IRS Accepted your efiling for processing, then the government has it. (Approved is a later step, but TT receives no further updates once a return is Accepted.)
But, when checking, be sure to enter just the amount of your Federal refund. Do not adjust for state, nor for any TT fees coming out of it. Also see:
Yeah that's what is happening to me too. Have you been able to get this solved? Spoke with TurboTax bot to no avail.
This is also happening to my client.
Filed March 30th, it's been 5 months and IRS says she filed wrong but can't tell her what was wrong
"....my client..."
Paid tax preparers are not allowed to use TurboTax--it violates the terms of service.
Millions of people are experiencing delays. There are more things this year than ever that require a human to look at the returns, so there are lots of delays for returns with the recovery rebate credit, premium tax credit, unemployment, etc. etc. etc.
From this IRS website - https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-operations-during-covid-19-mission-critical-functions-continue
The IRS is opening mail within normal timeframes and all paper and electronic individual returns received prior to April 2021 have been processed if the return had no errors or did not require further review. As of July 31, 2021, we had 13.8 million unprocessed individual returns. Unprocessed individual returns include tax year 2020 returns such as those requiring correction to the Recovery Rebate Credit amount or validation of 2019 income used to figure the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC). This work does not require us to correspond with taxpayers but does require special handling by an IRS employee so, in these instances, it is taking the IRS more than 21 days to issue any related refund and in some cases this work could take 90 to 120 days. If, as a result, a correction is made to any RRC, EITC or ACTC claimed on the return, the IRS will send taxpayers an explanation. Taxpayers are encouraged to continue to check Where’s My Refund? for their personalized refund status and can review Tax Season Refund Frequently Asked Questions.
How long you may have to wait: The IRS understands the importance of timely processing of tax returns and refund issuance. We have processed all error free returns received prior to April 2021 and continue to work the returns that need to be manually reviewed due to errors. We are continuing to reroute tax returns and taxpayer correspondence from locations that are behind to locations where more staff is available, and we are taking other actions to minimize any delays. Tax returns are opened and processed in the order received. As the return is processed, whether it was filed electronically or on paper, it may be delayed because it has a mistake including errors concerning the Recovery Rebate Credit, is missing information, or there is suspected identity theft or fraud. If we can fix it without contacting you, we will. If we need more information or need you to verify that it was you who sent the tax return, we will write you a letter. The resolution of these issues could take 90 to 120 days depending on how quickly and accurately you respond, and the ability of IRS staff trained and working under social distancing requirements to complete the processing of your return.
What you should do: In most instances, no further action is needed but you may check Where’s my refund or you can view your account. If you filed electronically and received an acknowledgement, you do not need to take any further action other than promptly responding to any requests for information. If you filed on paper, check Where’s my refund? If it tells you we have received your return or are processing or reviewing it, we are processing your return, but it may be under review. We’re working hard to get through the backlog. Please don’t file a second tax return or contact the IRS about the status of your return.
I am getting the same status. Could you please tell me, how yo manage it ?
TurboTax does not get any information at all from the IRS after you file your tax return. No one at TurboTax knows what the IRS is doing with your return.
There have been a lot of delays for 2020 federal refunds. Did you mail your return or e-file?
If you mailed it:
MAILED RETURNS
If you mail a tax return (or a payment) to the IRS, it is a good idea to use a mailing service that will track it like UPS or certified mail so you will know it was received.
When you mail a tax return, you need to attach any documents showing tax withheld, such as your W-2’s or any 1099’s.
TurboTax will not know anything about your mailed return, and will continue to show “Ready to Mail” on your account. TurboTax will not know that you put your tax return in an envelope and took it to a mailbox. TurboTax does not get updates on mailed (or e-filed) returns.
The IRS refund site is only showing information about 2021 refunds now so it will not show anything about your 2020 refund.
Or......
Did you e-file? Did you click a big orange button that said “Transmit my returns now?”
When you e-file your federal return you will receive two emails from TurboTax. The first one will say that your return was submitted. The second email will tell you if your federal return was accepted or rejected. If you e-filed a state return, there will be a third email to tell you if the state accepted or rejected your state return.
Does your TT account say that your return was accepted? Or does it say something else—like “rejected”, “printed” or “ready to mail?” If it does not say accepted then it was not filed unless you put it in an envelope yourself and mailed it.
TurboTax does not mail your tax return for you.
If your e-file was accepted:
If you chose to have your fees deducted from your federal refund:
Santa Barbara Tax Products Group, LLC (SBTPG) is the bank that handles the Refund Processing Service when you choose to have your TurboTax fees deducted from your refund. This option also has an additional charge from the bank that processes the transaction.
You can contact them SBTPG, toll-free, at 1-877-908-7228 or go to their secure website www.sbtpg.com
https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/2580357-who-provides-the-refund-processing-service
To call the IRS:IRS: 800-829-1040 hours 7 AM - 7 PM local time Mon-Fri
Listen to each menu before making the selection.
First choose your language. Press 1 for English.
Then do NOT choose the first choice re: "Refund", or it will send you to an automated phone line.
Instead, 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 should then transfer you to an agent.
TAX ADVOCATE
At the following IRS website, find the USA map and click on your state, and it will give you the number of your area's IRS Taxpayer Advocate.
http://www.irs.gov/uac/Contact-a-Local-Taxpayer-Advocate
Also see this article for more info on how the Taxpayer Advocate Service works::
http://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc104.html