It's been 30 days since my federal return was accepted electronically. I received my state return. What's up?

[pfdno1]

First off it took me 62 tries to get through to 8291040. Then you cannot speak to a person. It just prompts you for the same info on Where's My Refund. Now at Day 40 and still waiting 

[JamesG1]

The IRS says that it will issue 9 out of 10 refunds to taxpayers in less than 21 days.  However, if: 

• You have e-filed your 2020 Federal tax return,
• You are claiming a Recovery Rebate Credit (RRC) on line 30 of the 2020 1040 tax return, and
• Your tax return has been accepted by the IRS.  

We suspect that the IRS will scrutinize stimulus payments that were issued against the tax returns that claim the Recovery Rebate Credit.  We do not know how much delay that the IRS will incur in such cases.

IRS live phone assistance is extremely limited at this time.  For stimulus payment questions, call 800-919-9835.

Follow the TurboTax COVID Tax Center and the IRS Economic Impact Payment Information Center for further developments.

[wtrail17]

its been over 31 days for me and still nothing. I keep trying to call the IRS number at [phone number removed] and keep getting the same message that "Due to high call volume your call cannot be completed at this time". Then the call drops. What a wonderful government agency the IRS is! 

[BrandiLO]

Most tax returns process within 21 days. However, some may take longer. TurboTax does not receive any updates on the status of returns once the IRS accepts them. This means that we can't say when you will receive your refund. You can track your refund at www.irs.gov/refunds. If it's been longer than 21 days since you e-filed and the IRS accepted your return, you'll have to speak directly to IRS to find out more about the delay. Please click here for more information. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic and the volume of calls, the IRS will only allow a certain amount of individuals to hold on the line before they cut off that ability and request you call back later. 

[pfdno1]

I appreciate the replies. However, it’s been 40 days. And there is, as I said, no way the IRS will respond via their phone number. Even if your call is “accepted” you go into an automated system which gives the same basic info as where is my refund. 

[DanielV01]

@pfdno1  As far as your refund is concerned, you are correct that only the IRS can assist with that.  The irony is that the way they have their automated system set up, you do not want to select the "questions about my refund" option, because it does take you back into the Where's My Refund automated system, which is the same as online, and no human customer service is available.  The way to talk to someone is to select the option regarding your tax account.  Try that instead, and call first thing in the morning.  

Getting through to the IRS is extremely difficult at this time, and a number of returns/refunds are delayed this year, which is not easy to deal with.  But in the end, it is the IRS who can assist you to work out the issue.

[Zack attack]

I keep calling IRS but they don't answer

[MayaD]

Accepted means your tax return is now in the government's hands and has passed the initial inspection (your verification info is correct, dependents haven't already been claimed by someone else, etc.).

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

You can check the IRS website Where's My Refund for your Federal information.

[Marytweedharveydoodles]

So I finally got ahold of a person at irs today after waiting 45 minutes and the agent told me because if the stimulus my refund was reduced from 2093.00 to 1493.00 if u don't have to pay taxes on the stimulus or anything why did they take 600.00 of my return because of stimulus doesn't make sense just send me my money so now my 1493 return will be deposited to my account on march 30 I will keep you updated to see if I actually get it by the way still haven't gotten the 3 stimulus checks it's saids will be mailed on march 26 .I don't claim any children the only thing I claim is a earderly  dependent which they didn't get the first 2 stimulus check but still took 600 from my return just send me my money 

[Jeciangel07]

I ALWAYS GET EITC AND I ALWAYS GET MY REFUND ON TIME WHATS TAKING SO LONG IM GETTING TOPIC 152 AND WAIT FOR REFUND DATE\

[EbonyA]

Due to the ongoing effects of the pandemic, the IRS is experiencing major delays with even many 2019 returns not yet processed. Following is more information on Topic 152. Additionally, IRS contact information can be found here @Jeciangel07.

[Gittarap]

Refing was accepted on April 1, and no additional information can be found

[CatinaT1]

According to this IRS update as of April 30th:    

The IRS is now opening mail within normal timeframes. The IRS has also made significant progress in processing prior year returns. As of April 23, 2021, we had 1.3 million individual tax returns received prior to 2021 in the processing pipeline. Including current year returns, as of April 23, 2021, we had 16.9 million unprocessed individual returns in the pipeline. Unprocessed returns include 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 are processing returns received over the summer and fall in 2020 due to the extended July 15, 2020 tax filing due date. While the majority of 2019 refund returns have been processed, in some cases, we are processing tax returns that were mailed with a payment even though payment associated with these returns have been processed by the IRS. However, 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 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.  

[dmayewing]

I have always done my own taxes but this year decided to use Intuit.  Filed in May 25th and stilled my refund is being processed.  never again will I use Intuit.

[xmasbaby0]

@dmayewing You used TurboTax in a year when the IRS is so severely backlogged during a pandemic that millions of people have been waiting for months for their refunds and you will never use the software again?  Wonder how fast you would get your refund if you mailed it as you have apparently done in the past.   It is taking the IRS months to open and process mailed returns.

To check on regular tax refund status via automated phone, call 800-829-1954. 

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.   Many refunds are taking longer during the pandemic.  The IRS is backlogged —-they are still trying to process millions of 2019 returns; they received millions of e-filed on the day they opened for 2020 returns, and now they are burdened with sending out another round of stimulus checks.   

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 May 15, 2021, we had 300,000 individual tax returns received prior to 2021 in the processing pipeline. Including current year returns, as of May 15, 2021, we had 16.4 million unprocessed individual returns in the pipeline. Unprocessed returns include 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.

https://abc7.com/irs-refund-tax-delay-returns-status/10435366/

https://money.yahoo.com/irs-employees-say-out-of-ink-printers-are-delaying-tax-returns-171522801.htm...

Called the IRS lately? Agency struggles to hire customer service reps despite pandemic unemployment ...

https://money.yahoo.com/taxpayers-waiting-to-get-last-years-tax-refund-190333088.html

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/personalfinance/where-is-my-damn-irs-tax-refund-new-answers-emerge-a...