Does the IRS process and approve refunds 24/7, including weekends, for the 2016 tax year?

[HelenaC · Accepted solution]

Yes, the IRS states that they issue most refunds within 21 days, so that does include the weekends. If the IRS needs more information from you to process your return, then they will contact you by mail.

See: What Days of the Week Does the IRS Deposit Tax Refunds? https://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tools/tax-tips/General-Tax-Tips/Video--What-Days-of-the-Week-Does-th... The IRS only updates your refund status information once per week on Wednesdays. 

[Ottotravis491]

Can my pending status change to approved on a Saturday find out if I get approved for my taxes refund0

[SweetieJean]

2016 returns must be filed by mail.  Paper returns take about 4 weeks to process.  

[brianabarca]

My Tax return was accepted since the 27th of January and it’s already the 22nd of February. I was wondering where would my return be at this moment?

[DaraLO]

Once the IRS accepts your federal return, all updates are taken over by them.  Therefore, we don't have information about the status of your refund.

The IRS generally issues refunds within 21 days of acceptance. If it's been more than 21 days, we suggest calling the IRS to inquire about your refund.  Go here for tips on reaching a live IRS agent when you call.

Keep in mind, if you claimed the EIC (Earned Income Credit) or ACTC (Additional Child Tax Credit), the IRS expects the first of these refunds to be available in taxpayer bank accounts or on debit cards by the first week of March.

Refer to the following TurboTax FAQ for other tax situations that can delay refunds:  What if my IRS refund is taking longer than 21 day ...

[COTTONTOP2020]

The IRS lied to you because they never have sent anything to me in no way shape fashion or form informing me that they needed more information.  I have been calling / talking to different Representatives like 10-15 different ones since the month of may and only yesterday I talked to one more and She said I had to set up an appointment to speak to someone in person and mainly to find out it basically was no different than I was told b4 . She just filled out another 1040 on me in which I had already filled out a paper 1040 and mailed it to the IRS via USPS . Also that person that had told me to fill one out said it would be "6 Weeks" . It didn't HAPPEN thank you .

[COTTONTOP2020]

NEVER UPDATES!!!

[xmasbaby0]

@COTTONTOP2020  

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