My tax return was accepted on January 27th, but my refund is still not approved, Why?

[crerrera11]

I submitted my tax return with TurboTax on January 27th.  The smart check said that there were NO ERRORS.  The IRS accepted my refund within hours of submission.  However, her I am more than a week later and when I check "Where's My Refund", it is still not approved.

Meanwhile, several people I know filed days later than I did and their refunds are already approved and a payout date provided.

Why is this and should I be worried?

[DoninGA]

Only the IRS and your State control when and if a Federal or State tax refund is Approved and Issued.

Once a tax return has been Accepted by the IRS or a State, TurboTax receives no further information concerning the tax return or the status of any tax refund.

After the tax return has been Accepted by the IRS (meaning only that they received the return) it will be in the Processing mode until the tax refund has been Approved and then an Issue Date will be available on the IRS website.
See this IRS website for federal tax refund FAQ's - https://www.irs.gov/refunds/tax-season-refund-frequently-asked-questions

[xmasbaby0]

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 35a of your 2021 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...

OR——if you filed by mail, expect a long wait.   It is taking the very backlogged IRS six to nine months to process mailed returns.   Until a human opens your envelope and enters the data into the system, nothing will even show up on the refund site, so you will have to be very patient.

And....maybe this applies to you:

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/3397970-path-act-delayed-refunds-for-some-filers

[Arayjr]

Same issue accepted on the 27th and it still isn't on Where's my refund as of today the 13th. 

[crerrera11]

@Arayjr 

I’ve been following up every day and have even called the IRS to try and get some answers or direction… NOTHING.  They just tell me it’s within 21 days.  However, it’s never taken this long for my refund to be approved.

Any luck on your end trying to figure out if anything is holding yours up?

[xmasbaby0]

@crerrera11

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.  “21 days”  is not a promise from TurboTax or the IRS. 

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 35a of your 2022 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...

OR——if you filed by mail, expect a long wait.   It is taking the very backlogged IRS six to nine months to process mailed returns.   Until a human opens your envelope and enters the data into the system, nothing will even show up on the refund site, so you will have to be very patient.

If you are getting earned income credit on line 27 or additional child tax credit on line 28 You are subject to the delay required by the PATH act.  Do not expect your refund earlier than late February.

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/3397970-path-act-delayed-refunds-for-some-filers

https://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tips/irs-tax-return/what-is-the-path-act-and-how-may-it-impact-your-...

[JulieS]

Yes, you refund can take longer sometimes depending on what is in your tax return. Certain tax credits will delay your return as well as mistakes that may have been made like leaving off income, or entering amounts wrong. 

The PATH Act mandates no IRS refunds be issued on tax returns claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit or Additional Child Tax Credit before February 15. If you have either of those credits, you won't get your refund for at least a few days. 

As both xmasbaby0 and DoninGA mention, at this point only the IRS can tell you the status of your refund.