Approval

[LeanneMR]

I filed and was accepted on 2/29/20. 8 days later and my refund is still processing and hasn’t been approved. I’ve always had my refund by now. Nothing on this year’s return is different. No EITC or ACTC either. Should I be concerned? I know they say 21 days, but it never, ever takes that long in my experience. 

[Critter]

Approximately 90% of taxpayers will receive their refunds in less than 21 days from the day their tax return was accepted by the IRS. Most people receive their refund in an average of 10-14 days.

Here's a link to help you track it.  https://www.irs.gov/refunds

The IRS releases most refunds within 21 calendar days after the e-filed return has been accepted (received), not 21 days from the e-filing date.

We know you'd like your refund as fast as possible, but we have no control over how fast the IRS or your state returns your money to you. We're unable to track down, research, or expedite your refund, because those actions are only done by the government—you'll have to contact the IRS or your state tax office for help.

If you still haven't received your refund or your refund is less than you expected, it's possible you may have a refund offset.

• For mailed returns, allow 5–6 weeks from the postmark date. (If you claimed an Earned Income Tax Credit and/or an Additional Child Tax Credit and filed before February 15, 2019, you’ll get your refund the week of February 27 at the earliest.)
• Wait 24 hours after your federal return has been accepted before looking it up at Where's My Refund?
• If you don’t have a computer or internet access, you can check the status of your refund by calling the IRS at 800-829-1954.
• For more information, you can also view Where's My Refund FAQs.
• If you opted to e-file and you entered an incorrect account number for direct deposit, the government will mail you a refund check, allow 5–6 weeks from the postmark date.

For questions on state refunds, use your State Refund Lookup tool.

[LeanneMR]

Thank you. So it's relatively common to be waiting for approval still going into day 9?

[Critter]

It is not unusual if not common ... patience will be needed. 

[LeanneMR]

Thank you! You've been helpful.

[Encinas559]

I filed mine 1/13/20 got approved sent to IRS and haven't heard from no one since then I haven't even gotten a email yet its driving me nuts

[LeanneMR]

Was yours accepted or approved?

[Critter]

My return got accepted. What happens next?

Congratulations! Accepted means your e-file has passed inspection (such as Social Security numbers are correct and dependents haven't already been claimed) and the government has your tax return. Consider acceptance as your official government packing slip.

Are you getting a refund?

After acceptance, the next step is for the government to review your refund.

During the review process, they look for math errors on your return (extremely rare in TurboTax) and 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.

Start tracking your federal refund at the IRS Where's My Refund site.  For state refunds, go to your state government's refund lookup service.

Returns with EIC and ACTC will not start processing until after 2/15/20 ... do not expect your refund before 3/1. 

IRS FAQ :   https://www.irs.gov/individuals/refund-timing

[Joefrombuffalo]

My return was filed and accepted on 2/4, but I too am still waiting on approval. Last year, I was approved within a few days and I had my refund 8 days after my return was accepted. Today is now the 8th day since my returns were accepted and I haven't even seen the approval yet. 

Just as in your case, there's nothing different about my taxes this year compared to last year, save for I had one side job that I didn't work last year, so I think it's just a matter of them working slower this year. I don't believe they even began accepting and processing tax returns until 1/27, so if there was a large queue of people who had already filed before that, they may be working their way through those tax returns first.

Regardless, just wanted you to know that you're not alone in this situation, and as much as we want out refunds right now, it looks like we will have to be patient and hope they approve them soon. 

[LeanneMR]

Thank you! I was actually approved on Saturday, 2/8, and my refund is scheduled for 2/12. This year it took 2 full weeks; the longest it's taken in a long time! It does seem as if the refunds are coming in more slowly this year than in the past. 

Good luck! I hope you get your approval soon!

[albertphao1]

Hi @LeanneMR ! Did you receive your refund on the date they said you were going to get it? Thanks

[Critter]

IRS no longer processes returns in first in first out batches. They are processed individually so returns sent in at the same time will not necessarily process together.

The IRS states that 9 of 10 returns will process in 21 days or less from being accepted not filed. However considering that the IRS processes more than 150 million returns that means 15 million will be delayed for more than 21 days. 

Think of the IRS process as a long pipe line. Some returns will be rejected before being allowed into the pipe and the rest will be accepted. Then once accepted into the pipeline many will process directly through without any delays and some will not.  Some returns will be siphoned off for further review of some kind. The basis of what triggers these reviews is a well guarded secret but some are just picked randomly every year.

Some reviews are automated and some will require human attention. The processing times will vary due to the continued understaffing situation at the IRS. 

[kbennett4511]

mine says transmitted on jan27th accepted jan13th and expected date feb3rd and the refund tool sys being processed still?

[DaraLO]

@kbennett4511  Did you claim the EIC or ACTC?  If you claimed the EIC (Earned Income Credit) or Additional Child Tax Credit, you will most likely see the message, "We have received your tax return and it is being processed" for several days after February 15th.  

Where's My Refund? will be updated with projected deposit dates for most early EITC/ACTC refund filers by February 22. 

Refer to the following link for additional information:  Refund Timing for Earned Income Tax Credit and Additional Child Tax Credit Filers