My refund is over 2 months late (direct deposit). The where's my refund tool gives no explanation and the IRS doesn't answer the phone. What can be done?

[ee-ea]

All you can do now is, wait. At least you know that the IRS has your filing. It does not matter who sent your 1040 to the IRS. The IRS is the sole destination for tax returns. No one has discovered a way to make the IRS speed up sending out refunds. No one ever will because the IRS is an overwhelmed, over worked, under funded and under staffed government bureaucracy. Eventually you will get the pay off of your no interest loan to the government.

Have you thought of paying just enough by estimates or withholding to avoid a penalty and let the government wait for your check?

[bobpet12121]

My 2020  Tax Return was E filed on February 20, 2021.   Turbotax E mailed me that the IRS accepted 

and a proved the return.  AS the return had a REFUND  OF  $3,352.00, I'm beginning to be very Concerned!!

Please trace my return and REPLY.... Filed over TWO MONTHS A GO???

[xmasbaby0]

TurboTax told you that your return was "accepted"---not "approved."   Those two words do not mean the same thing in regard to your tax return.

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/2840013-does-accepted-mean-my-refund-is-approved

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

[shadobie17]

It’s been two months for me now too. I didn’t have any reported stimulus payment amounts or anything else that people say could be causing delays. I did however have the form 8915-e this year so I’m wondering if anyone else has the same in this situation?

[Chappann Fam]

Same here! Did ours on 2/19 where's my refund site still says "processing". I am also getting concerned.

[shadobie17]

I’m sorry, this is so frustrating. Especially the not knowing what is going on. You are a week ahead of me so I hope yours shakes loose soon.

[Sage1024]

I had to amend my taxes I'm still waiting for them I cannot pay my. Bill until I receive my funds...I'm not in a good way at the moment can't even pay my rent until I receive my refund..I truly apologize...Dolores Huber

[shadobie17]

I’m so sorry... it seems like this is affecting those that need it the most right now. 

[sandrathoreson]

My taxes were filed 23Feb2021.  last year 3weeks return deposited.  Stimulus has slowed returns this year but simple tax returns by Turbo tax online should not have any long process to review and ok return.  Thanks for listening....Sandy T.

[sparky1775]

Dude same everyone from friends thats filed it somewhere else already got it but not me with this app hopefully I get it soon 

[xmasbaby0]

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/personalfinance/where-is-my-damn-irs-tax-refund-new-answers-emerge-a...

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...

[shadobie17]

Please. If you don’t have anything to contribute other than an out of date, cut and paste cookie cutter response, don’t bother. We deserve real answers. And definitely not those that try to tell us we are the ones responsible by submitting erroneous returns. 

[SweetieJean]

TT cannot give you any specific answers, because the IRS does not notify them of anything once your return has been Accepted for processing.  But see:

At least 8 million tax returns are in limbo at the IRS because of the pandemic, delaying refunds (ms...

[LinaJ2020]

I understand your frustration.  However, please remember TurboTax does not approve your return nor keep your refund.  The IRS does.  Although the IRS has processed and issued most refunds from e-filed returns around 21 days, because of the backlog caused by Covid, CARES Act, stimulus and the American Rescue Plan Act, some of the returns will require more time to review.  You are not alone.