Federal refund accepted. Four months later still no refund. When checking status with IRS.gov it simply says no information available.

[andrewbingham7]

No matter what I do to talk to a person it is an endless cycle of them asking me details for a refund status and then hanging up. I just need help escalating with the IRS, but it is the same issue there. I only see a way to call about my refund status, not if there is something amiss with it.

[xmasbaby0]

Millions of people are waiting for the severely backlogged IRS to process their tax returns and send their refunds.   You are not the only one.

 The IRS is backlogged —-they are still trying to process millions of 2019 returns; they received millions of e-files on the day they opened for 2020 returns, and now they are burdened with sending out another round of stimulus checks.   Congress changed the tax laws in the middle of the tax season so millions of returns need to be recalculated; and now on top of all that,  they have to gear up to start making monthly child tax credit payments.

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...

From this IRS website - https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-operations-during-covid-19-mission-critical-functions-continue

 As of June 23, 2021, we had 17.5 million unprocessed individual returns in the pipeline. Unprocessed returns include tax year 2020 returns such as those requiring correction to the Recovery Rebate Credit amount or validation of 2019 income used to figure the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC). This work does not require us to correspond with taxpayers but does require special handling by an IRS employee so, in these instances, it is taking the IRS more than 21 days to issue any related refund. If, as a result, a correction is made to any RRC, EITC or ACTC claimed on the return, the IRS will send taxpayers an explanation. Taxpayers are encouraged to continue to check Where’s My Refund? for their personalized refund status and can review Tax Season Refund Frequently Asked Questions.

How long you may have to wait: The IRS understands the importance of timely processing of tax returns and refund issuance. We have processed all error free returns received prior to 2021, and continue to work the returns that need to be manually reviewed due to errors.  We are rerouting tax returns and taxpayer correspondence from locations that are behind to locations where more staff is available, and we are taking other actions to minimize any delays. Tax returns are opened and processed in the order received. As the return is processed, it may be delayed because it has a mistake including errors concerning the Recovery Rebate Credit, is missing information, or there is suspected identity theft or fraud. If we can fix it without contacting you, we will. If we need more information or need you to verify that it was you who sent the tax return, we will write you a letter. The resolution of these issues depends on how quickly and accurately you respond, and the ability of IRS staff trained and working under social distancing requirements to complete the processing of your return.

What you should do: If you filed electronically and received an acknowledgement, you do not need to take any further action other than promptly responding to any requests for information. If you filed on paper, check Where’s my refund? If it tells you we have received your return or are processing or reviewing it, we are processing your return, but it may be under review. We’re working hard to get through the backlog. Please don’t file a second tax return or contact the IRS about the status of your return.

[xmasbaby0]

Sadly, the IRS refund site has been behaving erratically and has not always been reliable this year.   TurboTax has no control over this and cannot find out anything about your refund for you.

See if this helps at all:

To check on regular tax refund status via automated phone, call 800-829-1954. (This line has no information on Economic Impact Payments.)

Sometimes people get confused by the “summary” given by TurboTax and use the wrong amount for the federal refund.  Make sure you are only using the federal refund amount, and not an amount that combined your federal and state refunds.  

Your federal refund amount is on line 34 of your Form 1040

[andrewbingham7]

So as long as Turbotax shows that my federal tax was accepted there is nothing left for them to do. When I check on IRS.gov it simply says "We cannot provide any information on your refund." I dont' know if that that means everything is fine and I just need to keep waiting or there is an issue and it isn't being processed for a reason. I filed back on 3/14/21. Also, when I called the IRS it just said there was a high volume of calls and try calling tomorrow. Is it possible to ever get through? 

[xmasbaby0]

@andrewbingham7 So sorry for the frustration.    We have no magic answers or better ways to get though to the IRS.   You do know they have your accepted return, so really all you can do is wait.   If you really want to go through the aggravation of trying to call them, we hear that starting to call very early---7 a.m.--- sometimes works.   But you may not get any helpful information even if you get through, because they are so backlogged.

To call the IRS:IRS:  800-829-1040  hours 7 AM - 7 PM local time Mon-Fri

Listen to each menu before making the selection.

First choose your language. Press 1 for English.

Then do NOT choose the first choice re: "Refund", or it will send you to an automated phone line.

Instead, press 2 for "personal income tax".

Then press 1 for "form, tax history, or payment".  

Then press 3 "for all other questions."

Then press 2 "for all other questions."  It should then transfer you to an agent.