March 3rd came and went

[TheBenjamins]

Did I miss something?? My taxes are still just chilling. I filed 1/17, and here it is the Almighty March 3rd we have all been waiting for, and even the IRS call line just tells me it’s processing. I am so glad I didn’t make any knee jerk unnecessary purchases (lol to myself ugh) 

[xmasbaby0]

Federal and state refunds come from completely separate entities.  There is no rule as to which one will come in first or how long it will be between their arrival in your account.

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. 

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 35a of your 2024 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/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/tax-refund/track-state-refund/L3jgO8PGs_...

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://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/tax-refund/refunds-take-longer-others/L1...

.

https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/tax-refund/irs-refund-taking-longer-21-d...

If you are getting earned income credit on line 27 or additional child tax credit on line 28 You are subject to the delay required by the PATH act.  Do not expect your refund before early March

https://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tips/irs-tax-return/what-is-the-path-act-and-how-may-it-impact-your-...

Note:  “Accepted” is not the same as “approved”.  TurboTax tells you the e-file was accepted if the IRS deems that there is enough information on the return for them to take it in for processing.   Only the IRS can approve of the refund, which is a later stage of processing.  If the IRS approves your refund they will provide a date for the refund to be issued.

FROM THE IRS WHERE’S MY REFUND SITE:

https://www.irs.gov/wheres-my-refund

How it works

Where's My Refund shows your refund status:

• Return Received – We received your return and are processing it.
• Refund Approved – We approved your refund and are preparing to issue it by the date shown.
• Refund Sent – We sent the refund to your bank or to you in the mail. It may take 5 days for it to show in your bank account or several weeks for your check to arrive in the mail.

[TheBenjamins]

Yep. IRS site also gave March 3rd as a specific “by” date, so it feels lost to me. Maybe tomorrow brings better news. 

[Kyantis94 · Accepted solution]

I am waiting as well. My return was accepted on 1/30, estimated return was supposed to be on February 19th. I had to scour the website to finally find something saying March 3rd. Well, here it is, and still nothing. Not even the approved status change on Where's My Refund. I'm getting so upset, I just want answers. 

[TheBenjamins]

Well, perhaps we aren’t alone in that, and we can all get them very soon! Thanks for your reply. 

[jcook1973]

Yep, I'm in the same boat with you- same dates, same unchanged IRS processing status, everything. And March 4th is winding down now too with no refund. Uhg. 

[TheBenjamins]

It’s so bizarre. Never have I ever waited this long, or had it take one single day past the projected dates. I am wondering if the IRS lay offs are affecting it. I was concerned at first that my ex tried claiming the kids or something, but it seems that’s not the case now that I hear it coming from others. It’s odd that there isn’t more online though. Maybe tomorrow. Ugh is right!

[jcook1973]

If forums on Reddit are any indication, a lot of people are in this same situation. I really hate to obsess over it, it would just put me at ease if I could just talk to a human who can tell me, "Everything is fine with your return, we are just backed-up and working on it as fast as we can." That's all I need to hear! 

[TheBenjamins]

Absolutely SAME! It is some reassurance for us then. 

[TheBenjamins]

Another week gone. I know the IRS is behind, but geez. If there is a problem with the return, shouldn’t we have gotten a notice within the 21 days as well? Maybe Monday…but there isn’t any progress as far as the status change. Not yet pending.  I’ve been reading that paper filers of the day we submitted should be getting their returns on Monday. Doesn’t seem likely. 

[jcook1973]

I finally got an explanation on mine, but I'm sorry to say I don't think it will put you at ease. I received a letter from the IRS telling me they are holding my refund because they said they don't have a return for me for 2021 and 2022. I definitely submitted taxes in those years, and received refunds and tax credits. Luckily, I saved my 2021 and 2022 returns, faxed them in to the fax number they gave me, and that should sort everything out and get me my 2024 refund before the end of the month. It was an error on their part. Ridiculous, huh? I hope they didn't mess up your information, as well, and I hope you get your refund on Monday. You most likely would have received a letter by now if there is a problem. They are just a mess. 

[TheBenjamins]

Oh wow! I hope not, but who knows. Did they mail the explanation to you?

[jcook1973]

Yes, they mailed me the notice. However, the notification date was February 24th and I didn't receive it until March 6th. Good grief! 

[Kyantis94]

Update on mine: I got a notice in the mail saying they were holding my refund until I submit my 2022 taxes. I had until the 13th to submit the prior year or they would hold it longer. I got all the information I needed for that year and submitted it the same day I got the notice, which was the 5th. Now I'm waiting for two refunds lol. Hoping it comes next week, but still no change in status yet.

[TheBenjamins]

Oh geez. I know I didn’t submit mine either actually, I was waiting for my divorce to get out of mediation and never followed up. I don’t even know where to begin finding W2 from that year! Thanks for letting me know. I still haven’t received the letter, but it sounds like I will!