It varies, but normally it takes 24-48 hours. Also, the identity-protection safeguards implemented by the IRS in recent years may account for longer wait times. Eventually, you will receive an email letting you know whether or not your return has been accepted or rejected.
TurboTax FAQ "What does Pending mean? "states, "Pending simply means that your e-filed return is on its way and that the government hasn't accepted or rejected it yet. If you e-filed your return in January, it'll stay in Pending status until the IRS starts processing the backlog of returns. After January, e-filed returns generally sit in Pending status for 24-48 hours before coming back as either Accepted or Rejected. Sometimes state returns stay in Pending for several days or even longer. If you contact the government or try to look up your refund status while your return is still pending, don't be surprised if they tell you "no record found." This is normal; until the government starts reviewing and processing your return, they won't have any record of it."
What does "Accepted" mean?
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/return-status/help/what-does-accepted-mean/01/26285#M33
Please use this link to track your refund from the IRS.
https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/use-the-wheres-my-refund-tool
Santa Barbara Tax Products Group.
https://help.sbtpg.com/hc/en-us/articles/230418728-What-s-the-status-of-my-2019-refund-
I have been trying for months to reach IRS and TurboTax to find out what happened. I e-filed on May 2nd (shows TRANSMITTED at 1:10 pm PDT) with an EST. ACCEPTANCE DATE of May 4, 2020. However I've never heard from the IRS and when I check the status on line with IRS (which I've done countless times) it still says Pending. It's most frustrating because I've double and triple checked every step numerous times. There is no contact email that I could find for IRS or for TurboTax .... only public message chat boards. I've replied to the numerous emails I receive from TurboTax however never get a response. I know, I know, ... these are probably only customer "one-way" communications.. This is unacceptable.
I hope you mean the return status on the IRS site is processing (pending is a totally separate thing). If so then here are your options...
Only the IRS controls when and if a tax refund is Approved and Sent.
Call the IRS: 1-800-829-1040 hours 7 AM - 7 PM local time Monday-Friday
When calling the IRS do NOT choose the first option re: "Refund", or it will send you to an automated phone line.
So after first choosing your language, then do NOT choose Option 1 (refund info). Choose option 2 for "personal income tax" instead.
Then press 1 for "form, tax history, or payment".
Then press 3 "for all other questions."
Then press 2 "for all other questions."
- When it asks you to enter your SSN or EIN to access your account information, don’t enter anything.
- After it asks twice, you will get another menu.
Then press 2 for personal or individual tax questions.
Then press 4 for all other inquiries.
It should then transfer you to an agent.
Or you can contact your local IRS office. See this IRS website for local IRS offices - http://www.irs.gov/uac/Contact-Your-Local-IRS-Office-1 or call 1-844-545-5640 to set up an appointment
Or you may want to contact a Taxpayer Advocate in your area. See this IRS website for Taxpayer Advocate in your area and a toll free number - http://www.irs.gov/Advocate/Local-Taxpayer-Advocate
Where does it say Pending? At the IRS or on Turbo Tax? The IRS doesn't say Pending, IRS says Processing. If your efile was Accepted then only the IRS can tell you about a refund.
The IRS is taking longer this year due to Covid-19. See this IRS page for the latest information
https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-operations-during-covid-19-mission-critical-functions-continue
When you efiled did you get both emails from Turbo Tax? The first email only confirms the transmission. The second email says if the IRS (or state) Accepted or Rejected your efile.
When you log into your account you should also see the status and if it was Accepted or Rejected, Started, Printed, Ready to Mail, etc. what does it say?
When I check e-file Status on TurboTax it says, "Accepted. Congratulations! The IRS has accepted this return and you're finished with your taxes."
When I check the IRS - I enter my SS# and married filed jointly and refund amount, it now says, "Your tax return is still being processed. A refund date will be provided when available. Please note: For refund information, please continue to check here, or visit IRS.gov/Refunds. Updates to refund status are made no more than once a day. " ....
@KDailey23 wrote:
When I check e-file Status on TurboTax it says, "Accepted. Congratulations! The IRS has accepted this return and you're finished with your taxes."
When I check the IRS - I enter my SS# and married filed jointly and refund amount, it now says, "Your tax return is still being processed. A refund date will be provided when available. Please note: For refund information, please continue to check here, or visit IRS.gov/Refunds. Updates to refund status are made no more than once a day. " ....
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
If over 21 days since being Accepted by the IRS and the tax refund is still Processing you can call the IRS and speak with an IRS agent concerning your tax refund.
Call the IRS: 1-800-829-1040 hours 7 AM - 7 PM local time Monday-Friday
When calling the IRS do NOT choose the first option re: "Refund", or it will send you to an automated phone line.
So after first choosing your language, then do NOT choose Option 1 (refund info). Choose option 2 for "personal income tax" instead.
Then press 1 for "form, tax history, or payment".
Then press 3 "for all other questions."
Then press 2 "for all other questions."
- When it asks you to enter your SSN or EIN to access your account information, don't enter anything.
- After it asks twice, you will get another menu.
Press 2 for personal or individual tax questions.
Then press 4 for all other inquiries
It should then transfer you to an agent.