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).
https://ttlc.intuit.com/replies/4689484
The IRS states that most refunds are received within 21 days from the time a return has been accepted and a refund option is selected. The IRS will hold the refunds claiming EITC and ACTC-related returns until Mid-February.
Also, if you have EIC (earned income credit, aka EITC) or ACTC (additional child tax credit), the IRS will not start releasing those refunds until February 15. That means people with those types of credits may not start receiving their refunds until around February 27.
NOTE: If you chose to pay any TurboTax fees out of your Federal refund, that is another link in the chain, since your funds go first from the IRS to an intermediary bank where the fees are subtracted. Then that intermediary bank sends the rest of the funds to your bank in a second direct deposit.https://ttlc.intuit.com/replies/3302084
How long does it take IRS to approve refund after they've accepted it?
The IRS estimates that most refunds will be sent within three weeks after your e-filed returns are accepted. Many refunds will come sooner. For more information, please click here.
My refund was accepted January 31st. It still only says accepted still. Should i be worried?
At this time, no. The IRS issues most refunds in about 21 days, although some returns take more time to review. If it has been more than 21 days since your return was accepted, you can call the IRS directly to check on your refund status, using the link provided below:
My federal refund says accepted but hasn’t been approved. While as my state return has processing the return fast it seems, I am waiting for both to get approved. I filed 1/27 and got approved 1/27 as well. I do have a dependent.
The IRS expects the earliest EITC/ACTC related refunds to be available in taxpayer bank accounts or debit cards starting February 27, 2019, if these taxpayers chose direct deposit and there are no other issues with their tax return.
Please click the IRS link Refund Timing for Earned Income Tax Credit and Additional Child Tax Credit Filers to learn more.
Mine says the same thing , let me know if anything has changed for you
My refund is still saying accepted not approved and it's been over 21 days, should I be concerned or contact someone?
@Mrslady61 Even though the IRS issues 9 out of 10 tax refunds within 21 days, it's possible your return may require additional review and take longer to process.
Continue to monitor the IRS Where’s My Federal Refund? site for updates. Updates are made daily, usually overnight. You may also download the IRS2Go app to check your Federal refund status.
Where’s My Refund? has a tracker that displays progress through 3 stages:
(1) Return Accepted "Received," (2) Refund Approved and (3) Refund Sent.
Please see the links below for more information:
Hello I sent my refund off about 3 weeks ago but my status still says only accepted but not approved what could be the problem
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.
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 20 of your Form 1040) of your federal refund to track your Federal refund:
To track your state refund:
https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1899433-how-do-i-track-my-state-refund
On the IRS site you are also offered the use of an app called IRS2Go
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
I filed in 2\26 and I have still not been approved by IRS. I'm worried because I read most people have their refund by 3\6 that file that week. My TurboTax account just says approved by IRS and nothing more
Please read xmasbaby0's post above. There are various reasons for a delay in your refund and it is up to the IRS to determine what it is and contact you in writing when they have a conclusion.
Even though the IRS issues 9 out of 10 tax refunds within 21 days, it's possible your return may require additional review and take longer to process.
For some taxpayers, PATH Act requirements and other identity-protection safeguards implemented by the IRS may account for longer wait times.
Other things that can delay your refund include, but are not limited to:
Also, if you chose direct deposit, your financial institution may need another day or two to post the refund to your account, so keep that in mind.
My tax return was accepted on February 10 and I still have not gotten the refund. Not sure what I need to do. Also filed independent and have not received any stimulus check as well. Is there something I am doing wrong?
TurboTax does not get any information about refund status. You must check the status yourself using the IRS refund tracking web site: https://www.irs.gov/refunds
Stimulus info: https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/economic-impact-payments
Why is taking so long and where can l get my poor w2 dating back of 2014
Most refunds are received within 21 days from the time a return has been accepted (received). For the most up-to-date information regarding the status of your tax return and a specific date of when to expect your refund, please visit the IRS Where's My Refund? site. Please see the TurboTax FAQ When will I get my IRS refund? for more information.
To track the progress of your state tax return, see the TurboTax FAQ How do I track my state refund?
TurboTax does not retain copies of your W-2's. To see your options on how to obtain a copy of your W-2, please see here
How long does it take from accepted to approved.
The IRS goal is 21 days.
Tax Season Refund Frequently Asked Questions | Internal Revenue Service (irs.gov)
Everyone's tax return is different and therefore the processing times can vary. Most refunds are received within 21 days from the time a return has been accepted (received). For the most up-to-date information regarding the status of your tax return and a specific date of when to expect your refund, please visit the IRS Where's My Refund? site. Please see the TurboTax FAQ When will I get my IRS refund? for more information.
To track the progress of your state tax return, see the TurboTax FAQ How do I track my state refund?
Same here. Submitted February 10th and accepted, but the status still hasn't changed to approved.
I note that multiple people are asking this question and people are "answering" with unrelated answers, but still no one has answered why a status would sit there on "accepted" without changing to approved for so long.