Is anyone experiencing a refund delay with federal taxes?

[jbriant]

Mine was accepted March 10. IRS says they are still processing my return

[xmasbaby0]

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/taxes/the-irs-is-behind-in-processing-nearly-7-million-tax-returns-s...

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.  Some refunds are delayed because of the tax law changes that went into effect recently.   If your return has unemployment or the premium tax credit on it, that may be delaying it.

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-pr...

[KathrynG3]

It is difficult to reach the IRS right now, but if it has been longer than 21 days since your return was both accepted (received) and approved create or login in to your IRS account to look for a reason.

@xmasbaby0 is correct. You can also try to see why there is such a long delay. To do this, click the link: IRS View Your Tax Account.

• Here are some common reasons for delays:
  • If there is anything in the return affected by the PATH Act,
  • If someone else claimed any dependents reported,
  • In some cases, if there are government debts owed, or
  • If there was a Premium Tax Credit that needs to be recalculated
  • If there was any unemployment income reported that became nontaxable up to $10,2000 March 11
  • If there were any errors that the IRS will automatically recalculate for the stimulus payments and other changes to the tax law because of the American Rescue Plan passed March 11.

The only other thing you could do is to try to get a Taxpayer Advocate. It will require more persistence and patience, though.

• Click the link for help getting a local taxpayer advocate. Contact the Taxpayer Advocate Service Online at: Taxpayer Advocate Service Contact Us. 

• For all related taxpayer advocate information, see: Topic No. 104 Taxpayer Advocate Service – Your Voice at the IRS.

For more information, see: When will I get my IRS tax refund?

My return is accepted but still not approved. Is there a problem? Should I be worried?