Where is my federal tax refund? My state return was processed and approved back in March when I filed them both. I have not been able to track my return for federal. Why?

[Jacoreybenjamin214]

Can’t track on the IRS website

[mesquitebean]

First, did you efile?  If so, log in to your Online TurboTax account and confirm at the Tax Home that your efiled return was accepted.

When using the IRS WMR tool, be sure you enter the correct SSN and filing status.
https://www.irs.gov/Refunds

Use only the Federal refund amount.  Do not use any combined total refund figure that includes the state refund.

Look at your actual 2019 return to get the Federal refund amount.  Be sure you are using what is displayed on your Federal Form 1040, Line 21a for the Federal refund amount.

And if you are paying your TurboTax fees out of the Federal refund, use the Federal amount without regard to the fee subtraction; i.e., the amount before any fees are subtracted.

You can also try phoning the IRS refund hotline.  I've seen it work for some users before when the WMR tool didn't.  Again, use the amount on Form 1040, Line 21a.

800-829-1954

[mesquitebean]

First, did you efile?  If so, log in to your Online TurboTax account and confirm at the Tax Home that your efiled return was accepted.

When using the IRS WMR tool, be sure you enter the correct SSN and filing status.
https://www.irs.gov/Refunds

Use only the Federal refund amount.  Do not use any combined total refund figure that includes the state refund.

Look at your actual 2019 return to get the Federal refund amount.  Be sure you are using what is displayed on your Federal Form 1040, Line 21a for the Federal refund amount.

And if you are paying your TurboTax fees out of the Federal refund, use the Federal amount without regard to the fee subtraction; i.e., the amount before any fees are subtracted.

You can also try phoning the IRS refund hotline.  I've seen it work for some users before when the WMR tool didn't.  Again, use the amount on Form 1040, Line 21a.

800-829-1954

[mesquitebean]

The info I left you above should help you use the IRS WMR tool.    Once it recognizes you, if the IRS tool says it is still being processed, here's how to reach the IRS, but it may not be easy.  Part of it is luck.  Due to the Coronavirus, some of the IRS call centers are closed, some are operating with reduced personnel, some are gradually opening back up.  Some users have reported last week that they have finally reached someone.   Here is the normal method to reach an IRS live agent when they are operating smoothly, and I'll also tell you how to reach the IRS Taxpayer Advocate Service.

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 may then 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 it will get "tired", and you'll get another menu.  Choose 2 for "personal".
• Then in the next menu choose 4 for "all other inquiries", and it should transfer you to an agent but expect a long wait.
• I usually use a speakerphone so I can work on something else while waiting.

If you continue to have no luck reaching the IRS, you can try contacting the IRS Taxpayer Advocate Service for your area.   They are still taking phone calls in most states.  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.    If the Taxpayer Advocate Service can't help you, ask them to transfer you to the IRS.  Some users have reported that was a backdoor to the IRS, at least for them.

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

[Jacoreybenjamin214]

I filed by Mail. I figured it would take awhile because of Covid-19, but my state tax was filed and accepted a week later. Still no word from federal. I’m using the amount I’m supposed to use from my 1040 form when I check the tool on the IRS website. @mesquitebean 

[mesquitebean]

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@ Jacoreybenjamin214 wrote:

I filed by Mail. I figured it would take awhile because of Covid-19, but my state tax was filed and accepted a week later. Still no word from federal. I’m using the amount I’m supposed to use from my 1040 form when I check the tool on the IRS website.

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Oh, if you filed by mail, that makes a huge difference.   For the last several weeks, the IRS has not been processing paper returns at all and instead has been storing them in bins and trailers.   They may have recently started processing some, but there will be a huge backlog.   The IRS has warned people not to file a second return.  That can further complicate/delay things.

All you can do, at least for now, is occasionally check the IRS WMR tool to see when it is logged into their system.