Waiting is frustrating—refunds are taking longer in many cases. These are not normal times. It is not possible for TurboTax to speed up the IRS for you. They are short staffed; and they are processing millions of tax returns at the same time that they have been burdened with the task of processing millions of stimulus checks.
To check on regular tax refund status via automated phone, call 800-829-1954. (This line has no information on Economic Impact Payments.)
https://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tools/efile-status-lookup/
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. Many refunds are taking longer during the pandemic.
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:
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...
MAILED RETURNS
The IRS has just started to work through millions of mailed returns that have been piling up in trailers during the pandemic. All you can do is watch the IRS refund site to see when your return makes it to the surface and goes into processing. Sorry.
Per the IRS website IRS Operations During COVID-19: Mission-critical functions continue:
IRS operational status and alternatives
Processing Delays for Paper Tax Returns: Taxpayers should file electronically through their tax preparer, tax software provider, or IRS Free File.
We’re experiencing delays in processing paper tax returns due to limited staffing. If you already filed a paper return, we will process it in the order we received it.
Do not file a second tax return or contact the IRS about the status of your return.
If you mail a tax return (or a payment) to the IRS, it is a good idea to use a mailing service that will track it like UPS or certified mail so you will know it was received.
When you mail a tax return, you need to attach any documents showing tax withheld, such as your W-2’s or any 1099’s.
TurboTax will not know anything about your mailed return, and will continue to show “Ready to Mail” on your account. TurboTax will not know that you put your tax return in an envelope and took it to a mailbox. TurboTax does not get updates on mailed (or e-filed) returns.
When the IRS finally opens its mail and begins to process mailed returns you can check the status on the IRS site. https://www.irs.gov/refunds
State returns have to be mailed to the state.
https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1899433-how-do-i-track-my-state-refund
https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/20/politics/irs-mail-trailers-covid/index.html
Note: Nothing about your mailed 2017 return will appear on the IRS refund site. That site only shows the status of 2019 refunds. All you can do is wait patiently the IRS to dig up your 2017 return and process it.
**Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to offer the most correct information possible. The poster disclaims any legal responsibility for the accuracy of the information that is contained in this post.**
