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When Can I expect my federal return even though it has been accepted?

 
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When Can I expect my federal return even though it has been accepted?

The IRS says 9 out of 10 filers who efile and choose direct deposit will get their refunds within 21 days. That still leaves a considerable number of people who do not. Some returns take longer for additional processing due to specific items in the return. Some are pulled at random for more thorough investigation.


About how long has it been since you filed? Did you efile, or did you print, sign, and mail the return?


If you efiled, double-check with this tool to be sure the return was efiled successfully and accepted:
https://shop.turbotax.intuit.com/efile/efile_status_lookup.jsp


If that confirmed the efiling was accepted (or if you mailed the return), what do you see at the IRS website below for the status of your Federal refund?
https://www.irs.gov/Refunds


If that IRS tool shows that the refund has been sent, but you didn't receive it, report back for more info.


If the IRS tool says it is still "being processed", and if it's been longer than 21 days, we can tell you how to speak to a live agent at the IRS to see if they can tell you anything about the delay.

When Can I expect my federal return even though it has been accepted?

Hello,

 

I efiled my return and it has been accepted on February 25, 2019.

When I check my status on IRS website it says,

 

Your tax return is still being processed.

A refund date will be provided when available.

 

Its been 5 months now. Can you please guide me further on what action I need to take or is there a way Turbo tax can help me get my refund.

 

Regrads

Vishrutha

When Can I expect my federal return even though it has been accepted?

Once the IRS is processing your return, the folks at TurboTax can't check on it for you.   We can tell you how YOU can check on it, however.

 

Since you say the IRS "Where's My Refund" tool shows it is "still being processed", you can phone the IRS to inquire on the delay.  I'll also tell you how to reach the IRS Taxpayer Advocate Service for assitance, if necessary.

 

Here's how to reach a live agent at the IRS:

800-829-1040 (7AM-7 PM local time) Monday-Friday

 

When calling the IRS do NOT choose the first choice re: "Refund", or it will send you to an automated phone line.

  • First choose your language.  Then listen to each menu before making the selection.
  • Then press 2 for "personal income tax".
  • Then press 1 for "form, tax history, or payment".  
  • Then press 3 "for all other questions."
  • Then press 2 "for all other questions." 
  • It might transfer you to an agent at that point.   If it doesn't it may ask for your SSN, but do not enter it.  Just wait.    If it asks for SSN a second time, still do not enter it.
  • Then you'll get another menu.  Choose 2 for "personal" then you should be transferred.


I usually use a speakerphone so I can work on something else while waiting.

 

If you don't get good info/results from the IRS, you can contact the IRS Taxpayer Advocate Service for your area.   They are especially prone to help if you have an economic hardship, or if there have been continued delays with lack of info from the IRS.    At the following IRS website, find the USA map and click on your state, and it will give you the number of your IRS Taxpayer Advocate.

 

http://www.irs.gov/uac/Contact-a-Local-Taxpayer-Advocate

 

Also see this article for more info on how the IRS Taxpayer Advocate Service works::
http://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc104.html

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