Why does Turbotax say my refund was accepted but the IRS site still says processing

[mesquitebean]

When the Tax Home page at TurboTax shows your efiled return as "accepted", that refers only to the efile status.   It means the efile was successfully sent to the IRS and that the IRS computers determined that it met all the technical requirements such that they could begin processing it.  i.e., the IRS accepted it for processing.

Keep watching the IRS "Where's My Refund" tool.

https://www.irs.gov/refunds

If you chose direct deposit, the IRS says most refunds that require no manual processing are sent within 21 days.

[abmx0]

Thank you! Last thing, is there a anticipated time frame in which the IRS does approve the tax return?

[mesquitebean]

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@ abmx0 wrote:

Thank you! Last thing, is there a anticipated time frame in which the IRS does approve the tax return?

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You're welcome. 

The IRS says 9 out of 10 filers who efile and choose direct deposit will get their Federal refunds within 21 days after being accepted. Some returns are processed fairly quickly, while others require additional processing due to specific items in the return, or if the IRS catches any errors.  Some are pulled at random for more thorough investigation.

This IRS FAQ gives some situations where it might take longer than 21 days:
https://www.irs.gov/refunds/tax-season-refund-frequently-asked-questions

This time of year (February) there is an additional factor that could cause a delay as you'll see at that link, and that's the PATH Act, which requires the IRS not to pay any refunds where a filer has claimed EITC or ACTC credits until after February 15.   That means returns that contained those credits may not get refunds until around March 1, possibly a tad earlier if direct deposit was chosen.

[kitkaty9]

Is there anything I can do if I'm still waiting? My returns were in by April 15th and filed electronically and Turbotax said they were accepted. The IRS site says its still being processed with no refund date given and it's almost June. I'm getting anxious about it since it's a large refund, but I have no idea when I'm getting my money back.

[Critter-3]

All you can do is wait ... nothing you or anyone else can do to speed up the IRS processing pipeline ... check the IRS site every few days ...  https://www.irs.gov/refunds

[ih8theirs]

Hello, im 19 and last year was my first time filing taxs. I used turbo tax and it says my return has been accepted, but one year later and the irs wheres my refund website says its still only received. Any support would be helpful! 

[mesquitebean]

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@ih8theirs wrote:

Hello, im 19 and last year was my first time filing taxs. I used turbo tax and it says my return has been accepted, but one year later and the irs wheres my refund website says its still only received. Any support would be helpful! 

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I can tell you how to contact the IRS, and if necessary, 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 sometimes there is a long wait.
• I usually use a speakerphone so I can work on something else while waiting.

If you can't get it resolved by speaking to the IRS, you can try contacting 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.    

IRS Taxpayer Advocate Service 

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

[sarahdmiller4286]

Hi i was wondering if you have ever got your taxes?