so i got an email saying my refund was on the way from TurboTax but the irs website says it has not even been approved yet so which one do i go by

[xmasbaby0]

Go by the IRS.  

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 2024 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/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/tax-refund/track-state-refund/L3jgO8PGs_...

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://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/tax-refund/refunds-take-longer-others/L1...

.

https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/tax-refund/irs-refund-taking-longer-21-d...

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 before early March

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

Note:  “Accepted” is not the same as “approved”.  TurboTax tells you the e-file was accepted if the IRS deems that there is enough information on the return for them to take it in for processing.   Only the IRS can approve of the refund, which is a later stage of processing.  If the IRS approves your refund they will provide a date for the refund to be issued.

[DoninGA]

That was a marketing e-mail from TurboTax that should have never been sent.  No one in TurboTax knows when your tax refund has been approved and sent.

If accepted by the IRS use the federal tax refund website to check the refund status - https://www.irs.gov/refunds

[rxqueenxx]

I also got this email. Although turbo tax response should not insult someone by acting as if we do not know the difference between accept and approved, maybe turbo tax should stop sending false information out. I too got an email stating it was being sent out and the ONLY way a refund is being sent to you is if it has been APPROVED and this is towards the rep who responded to your question.

we know the difference beteeen accepted and approved , only when a refund is approved would the money be “on its way”.

falsely statements like that really doesn’t help anyone .