Should I be worried “Your tax return is still being processed. A refund date will be provided when available. “ the bars have gone away

[TerukoL]

No, you should not be worried. This is normal while the IRS processes a backlog of returns. "Being processed" means you are only that much closer to getting your refund. It means they must first process your return and then approve your refund. It can take anywhere from a few days to 3 weeks to go from acceptance to approval.

The IRS states:

WHERE’S MY REFUND STATUS BARS DISAPPEARED

"We have gotten many comments and messages regarding the IRS Where’s My Refund Tool having your orange status bar disappearing. This has to do with the irs.gov where’s my refund site having too much traffic and lagging. This is causing images not to display and information about your federal tax return to not show up. This has happened every year since the tool was first available. This has nothing to do with you being flagged or your return being denied. Status Bars Disappeared for many Americans who filed early.

This also can have to do with your browser settings as well as your cache. Please try using a different browser such as Chrome or Firefox. Also, clear your cache in your browser settings."

When checking on the status of your refund at the IRS Where's My Refund (WMR) site, you may get the message: We cannot provide any information about your refund. You must wait at least 24 hours after you get the acknowledgment e-mail that your tax return was received by the IRS.

• You might receive this message because:
• Your e-filed return was accepted (received) by the IRS less than 24 hours ago. Wait at least 24 hours after acceptance before using WMR.
• Your return is still pending.
• You never e-filed. You can quickly find out if you did by checking your status.

If you don't see a status, go through the TurboTax File section again. Be sure to go all the way to the end and select Transmit my returns now.
You mailed your return less than 4 weeks ago. Paper-filers should wait four weeks before using WMR.

Please click Why is there no record of my return at Where's My Refund (WMR)? to learn more.

[samoring]

I know with corona virus there is likely to be a delay, but...

I filed back in the middle of March.  My questions are around the state return while waiting.  Will my return for the state progress and be filed, or does it wait for the federal return to be completely processed.  I've not seen the state payment (I was due to pay them) coming out of my federal return, when does this happen?

From a perspective of what's next, if the IRS is waiting on a human to review my return, is there a way to find out where I'm at in their queue?

[GiseleD]

The state return gets processed completely independently of the federal return. The states and the IRS are two different taxing authorities. 

There is no way for you to find out where you are in the list of returns in the IRS queue, unfortunately. 

Regarding your state balance due, when did you schedule it to come out?

@samoring

[samoring]

I believe I scheduled the payment to come out on 4/15 for the state taxes owed.  I never saw where the state income tax return was accepted or processed by the state, nor the withdrawal from the return or my savings account for direct deposit.

Now I'm left to wonder what to check next.

[MissyAZ]

I filed back in April and still no federal refund. I moved last year and have gotten both state refunds back. I know covid happened but that’s money some people depend on. Hopefully they start processing them soon. I know someone who filed in January and still no federal either. 

[Anonymous]

the pandemic has slowed down the IRS processing of returns.  your case is not unusual. Since the IRS has your return there's nothing you can do for now.   read below to see if you should call the IRS Tax Advocate Service in your state. it's a waste of time unless you meet one of the conditions specified.

TAS can help if you can't resolve your problem with the IRS and:

Your problem is causing financial difficulties for you, your family, or your business.
You face (or your business is facing) an immediate threat of adverse action.
You've tried repeatedly to contact the IRS but no one has responded to you, or the IRS hasn't responded by the date promised.

https://www.irs.gov/advocate/local-taxpayer-advocate

click on your state for the phone number. 

[GrannyBerg]

Filed  April 2020  still waiting  8/15/2020   we get the code Your tax return is still being processed.  No Bar ever   Very concerned  will it take  6 months?

[xmasbaby0]

@GrannyBerg

Waiting is frustrating—refunds are taking longer in many cases.  These are not normal times.  It is not possible for TurboTax to speed up the IRS for you.   They are short staffed; and they are processing millions of tax returns at the same time that they have been burdened with the task of processing millions of stimulus checks. 

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

https://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tools/efile-status-lookup/

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.  Many refunds are taking longer during the pandemic. 

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 20 of your 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...

[GrannyBerg]

Thank you  I'm in Atlanta  Ga and I did get my  State Refund 90 days after I filed  5/19/2020  but as of today it states  Your tax return is still being processed.  A refund date will be provided when available.  the  key word is  

" is still being processed."   A refund date will be provided when available...  This    was a   efile*   and accepted   has anyone   got any updates or got their refund yet  am I the  only one   still waiting?  Thanks you  so much for your response  

[lulumo111]

I filed on Mar 1s, got my state refund but still waiting for federal. 

[CatinaT1]

According to this IRS update as of May 7th:     

The IRS is now opening mail within normal timeframes. The IRS has also made significant progress in processing prior year returns. As of April 30, 2021, we had 1 million individual tax returns received prior to 2021 in the processing pipeline. Including current year returns, as of April 30, 2021, we had 17.1 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.  

[robl5022]

Hi Lulumo111!

Same here...I filed on 3/28/21, received my state refund in a week, but still waiting for the federal refund.  It seems like we're not alone and will just have to wait...

Good luck!

RobL