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If my refund on the IRS website says still processing does it mean I will be audited?

Forum|Forum|7 years ago
June 7, 2019
12 replies
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I filed on 01/27/17

TurboTax Deluxe Online

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There's absolutely no reason to necessarily think that you're under review or that an audit is pending, so please don't worry. The "processing" message you see is perfectly normal. In fact, the messages and bars on the IRS.gov's "Where's My Refund" webpage change all of the time; and sometimes the same message is displayed continuously. If it still says "processing" that's actually a good thing. If your tax return ever is chosen for further review, or an actual audit, then the website should indicate that, and also let you know to expect an IRS notice or letter by mail. (You haven't observed a message like that, have you?)

Taxpayers who do have their returns held for review, and who expect to receive an IRS notice, tell us that this message appears clearly on the Where's My Refund website. The behavior that you observe is more likely an indicator that your tax return is simply moving through the processing system. It could also be that the IRS is checking for additional information on something related to your tax return (like matching your reported W-2 data with that separately reported to the IRS by your employer); but we wouldn't call that a review . . . perhaps only a small delay.

If enough time passes after filing (21 days after e-file, or 6 weeks after paper file), and there is no new information, at that time the IRS indicates that you can call them for additional information, using the phone number provided on their Where's My Refund website.

For now, the best course of action is patience. The IRS doesn't always move as fast as taxpayers would like (especially when waiting for a refund).

Thank you for asking this question.

A

Anonymous

Answer

There's absolutely no reason to necessarily think that you're under review or that an audit is pending, so please don't worry. The "processing" message you see is perfectly normal. In fact, the messages and bars on the IRS.gov's "Where's My Refund" webpage change all of the time; and sometimes the same message is displayed continuously. If it still says "processing" that's actually a good thing. If your tax return ever is chosen for further review, or an actual audit, then the website should indicate that, and also let you know to expect an IRS notice or letter by mail. (You haven't observed a message like that, have you?)

Taxpayers who do have their returns held for review, and who expect to receive an IRS notice, tell us that this message appears clearly on the Where's My Refund website. The behavior that you observe is more likely an indicator that your tax return is simply moving through the processing system. It could also be that the IRS is checking for additional information on something related to your tax return (like matching your reported W-2 data with that separately reported to the IRS by your employer); but we wouldn't call that a review . . . perhaps only a small delay.

If enough time passes after filing (21 days after e-file, or 6 weeks after paper file), and there is no new information, at that time the IRS indicates that you can call them for additional information, using the phone number provided on their Where's My Refund website.

For now, the best course of action is patience. The IRS doesn't always move as fast as taxpayers would like (especially when waiting for a refund).

Thank you for asking this question.

P

pastelzombiegyps

Level 2

What did the say @taeshjuan?

E

ecassodh

Level 2

--

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clarkbarbara10

Level 2

If it's still saying processing after your 21 days you are going to get a letter I know I called IRS today and they told me what I needed to do and they will process my return

D

danielle0318wigg

Level 4

How long does it take to send the letter cause it’s almost a month since I filled

B

brandenhinton2

Level 2

https://wheres-my-refund.net/refund-status-still-processing/

L

LEE23EL

Level 2

Okay, wait.. I got an audit notice in the mail that looked pretty legit. However.. The irs.gov website says " being processed" with no path code. No bars but filing status, refund amount and last 4 of social on left gand side. So.. I do not believe this comment is 100% true

A

Anonymous

No you should not be concerned it has been exactly 1 month and your status says your return is still processing. In an attempt to protect individual tax filers, the IRS enacted the PATH act. This may be causing a slight delay for many tax filers. See this FAQ for more information regarding Where's my Refund.

[Edited 03/06/2020 06:48 AM CST]

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cademido8891

Level 2

What, then, should my wait time period be? What is an approximate date or time when I should expect an update or to be able to receive my refund? Please advise. Thank you.

M

MariaGrayse18

Level 2

Hello my name is Maria I was wondering why do my tax return still say processing I filed my taxes back in January 15th of 2020 I trying to see what's going on why do my things keep saying process and how much longer is it going to be I've been waiting and waiting I received my state return but not my federal return could you please get back in contact me as soon as possible please and thank you if you have to email my email is [email address removed] can you please get back with me as soon as possible

DoninGA

Level 15

@MariaGrayse18 wrote:

Hello my name is Maria Gracie I was wondering why do my tax return still say processing I filed my taxes back in January 15th of 2020 I trying to see what's going on why do my things keep saying process and how much longer is it going to be I've been waiting and waiting I received my state return but not my federal return could you please get back in contact me as soon as possible please and thank you if you have to email my email is m a r i a g r a y [email address removed] can you please get back with me as soon as possible

Once a tax return has been Accepted by the IRS or a State, TurboTax receives no further information concerning the tax return or the status of any tax refund. Only the taxpayer listed on the tax return can obtain the status of a tax refund or a tax return.

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.
Then press 2 for personal or individual tax questions.
It should then transfer you to an agent.

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Danbernie

Level 2

I want to make sure the IRS has my right address and know why my refund has been in processing for over 2 months.

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LindseyLO

Level 12

Although the typical refund takes 21 days it sometimes can take longer. Refer to the source below for more details and also how to contact the IRS.

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/refund-status/help/what-if-my-irs-refund-is-taking-longer-than-21-days/00/26080

**Say "Thanks" by clicking the thumb icon in a post. **Mark the post that answers your question by clicking on "Mark as Best Answer"

T

Tajeanahorton

Level 2

Well i talk to someone at the irs and they said they recived my taxes march 6 so how long after that it well take i check the website on where's my refund and its saying my refund is still being process

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Tajeanahorton

Level 2

Well i talk to someone at the IRS and they said they receive my taxes march 6 so how long after that will it take i check the website on where's my refund and its saying my refund is still being process

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Anonymous

Last year in most cases, many filing taxes received their refund in less than 3 weeks. Keep in mind, in an attempt to protect individual tax filers, the PATH act was put in place. This may be causing a slight delay for many tax filers. See this FAQ for more information regarding Where's my Refund.

S

Stephrua1120

Level 2

It has been past the 21 days!! and on the website wheres my refund it still says we are processing your refund, a date will be given when available. And now it had effected my stimulus check !! I haven't received a letter by mail, and i already got my state. There is no number to contact the IRS i don't know what else to do!