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New Member
posted Jun 6, 2019 10:03:03 AM

My tax return transcript and account transcript shows taxes are finished and processed since 2/23/18. The where's my refund site says still processing. Why not approved?

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1 Best answer
Level 1
Jun 6, 2019 10:03:05 AM

The tax return/account transcript refers to the processing on the TurboTax side.

Where's My Refund status refers to processing on the IRS side.

The general timeline of e-filed returns on the IRS side is: Transmission > Acceptance > Processing > Approval > Refund.  

The IRS started processing returns later than in prior years and as such has a backlog to work through. They also just recently started processing returns claiming EIC and/or ACTC.

During processing, the government reviews your refund. During the review process, they look for math errors on your return (extremely rare in TurboTax) and they also check if you owe back taxes, unpaid child support, or other debts.

If they need to make any corrections, they may offset (reduce) your refund. In some cases, the correction might even increase your refund.

Once that part's done, the government approves your refund, which means it's ready to be deposited or sent.

It can take up to 21 calendar days after acceptance for the IRS to issue your refund, although most refunds go more quickly than that, while a small handful may take a bit longer.

11 Replies
Level 1
Jun 6, 2019 10:03:05 AM

The tax return/account transcript refers to the processing on the TurboTax side.

Where's My Refund status refers to processing on the IRS side.

The general timeline of e-filed returns on the IRS side is: Transmission > Acceptance > Processing > Approval > Refund.  

The IRS started processing returns later than in prior years and as such has a backlog to work through. They also just recently started processing returns claiming EIC and/or ACTC.

During processing, the government reviews your refund. During the review process, they look for math errors on your return (extremely rare in TurboTax) and they also check if you owe back taxes, unpaid child support, or other debts.

If they need to make any corrections, they may offset (reduce) your refund. In some cases, the correction might even increase your refund.

Once that part's done, the government approves your refund, which means it's ready to be deposited or sent.

It can take up to 21 calendar days after acceptance for the IRS to issue your refund, although most refunds go more quickly than that, while a small handful may take a bit longer.

New Member
Jun 6, 2019 10:03:07 AM

On the IRS website not turbo tax website, my taxes show completed. Taxes show refund amount and fully processed by the IRS. I can fully view my tax return. Does this mean my taxes ate completed and approved?

Level 1
Jun 6, 2019 10:03:09 AM

See @Critter#2's reply.

Level 15
Jun 6, 2019 10:03:11 AM

Just because you can see the return in the transcripts just means the IRS has the return in the system ... it doesn't mean they have processed the return or approved the refund for dispersal.  Watch the WMR? tool on the IRS site for the progress of the return in the system.

New Member
Jun 6, 2019 10:03:13 AM

I need my Aig from 2017

Level 15
Jun 6, 2019 10:03:14 AM

Where to find your 2017 AGI on your tax return
<a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://ttlc.intuit.com/replies/3301618">https://ttlc.intuit.com/replies/3301618</a>

New Member
Jun 6, 2019 10:03:16 AM

Requests transcript online

New Member
Jun 6, 2019 10:03:18 AM
New Member
Jun 6, 2019 10:03:19 AM

Has the most accurate info from prior or current years.

Level 3
Feb 13, 2020 10:36:36 PM

A Irs rep told me the opposite she claims you can’t view all of your transcripts unless they are done. Which I can believe that more because the irs is not gonna put a amount of you’re refund on a transcript unless it’s done... I highly doubt they will put your refund amount before processing no sense because they would be doing double work👌 Everyone do not listen to negative things on these forums they will bring you down

New Member
Feb 25, 2021 11:47:57 PM

Exactly! My IRS tax account (irs.gov/account) says refund issued 3/3/2021. Where’s my refund still says “received”. My tax return has obviously already been processed since it is part of my tax transcript (just FYI for the person who said this is the “TurboTax” side - no. The IRS allows you to view your account transcripts, and shows previous years - and everything employers have submitted as well). Good luck everyone