TurboTax states that both my federal and state were ‘Accepted’ but IRS tool only says ‘Received’ and not ‘Approved’.

[MChevy422]

I’m just curious to know what exactly does it mean when TurboTax says it’s Accepted?
The way the TT Accepted emails are worded, it made me think they were Accepted & Approved by the IRS and the only thing I’m waiting on is the refund to be deposited.

But after visiting the IRS tool, I’m not sure if my return is Accepted and Approved by the IRS and the IRS tool is lagging behind TurboTaxs software or if Accepted just means the IRS has only received it and not necessarily means it’s Approved; therefore I’d be waiting for the approval of the IRS before Id be waiting for the refund to be deposited. 

Anyone with some insight on this? If so, I would sincerely appreciate you taking the time to comment to help me get some clarification on this. 

[DoninGA]

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

[MChevy422]

I understand. Then why does TurboTax make it seem like it’s already approved using the term accepted? Why don’t they use both terms and have two individual emails that are sent out? One email stating the IRS has accepted your return and that we will receive another email when it is approved?

[DoninGA]

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@MChevy422 wrote:

I understand. Then why does TurboTax make it seem like it’s already approved using the term accepted? Why don’t they use both terms and have two individual emails that are sent out? One email stating the IRS has accepted your return and that we will receive another email when it is approved?

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When you e-file the tax return, the first email you receive will report that the tax return was transmitted successfully.  The second email would tell you that the IRS either Accepted or Rejected the tax return.  The word Approved I believe is not used in any of the TurboTax correspondence.

Approved and Issued/Sent are used by the IRS as noted in this FAQ - https://www.irs.gov/refunds/tax-season-refund-frequently-asked-questions

[MChevy422]

At this point for me, I have the IRS tool figured out (very simple/straight forward tool therefore their FAQs pretty much cover every detail). 

So with that being said, my questioning has to do with TurboTax (at this point) because their FAQs don’t cover the aspects of the software/service I’m questioning. I know that TT’s correspondence does not use the term Approved. I had specifically said that the wording in TT’s correspondence (the second email you will receive from TT; the Accepted email in my case) made it seem as though..

me receiving that Accepted email, means the IRS Approved my return and all that’s happening now is I’m waiting for my return to get deposited.

So basically, although TT has sent me both Accepted emails, I’m still waiting for my return to get Approved by the IRS before I’m waiting for my return to get deposited…?

I know the first email from TT states the return is pending and that I would be waiting for the accepted or rejected email; even though after being accepted.. technically the status of my return with the IRS is actually pending and that it’s only been RECEIVED by the IRS.

TT needs to be more clear and concise… the accepted email means the IRS either RECEIVED your return (& it’s now pending review) or they REJECTED IT/TURNED IT AWAY (it’s not pending review). The next email we get should state that the IRS has reviewed the return and its either approved or denied. Last email should state when the return has been issued/potential deposit date. 

[xmasbaby0]

TurboTax is never going to tell you that your refund was approved or issued by the IRS because TurboTax will not ever know.   After you file your tax return and the IRS accepts it, TurboTax gets no information whatsoever from the IRS.   Your only source of information is the IRS.

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/2840013-does-accepted-mean-my-refund-is-approved

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 2021 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