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New Member
posted Mar 18, 2021 6:34:05 AM

Why is the Federal Government taking so long to process my return? It has been over a month and they accepted it on the 12th? State already returned.

My wife and I were proactive and filled out are taxes the second we got all of our documents. Obviously, we understand that the government delayed accepting returns until 2/12. We finished before then and it was accepted by them on 2/12, but for the past 6 weeks, it has been the same status that they are still processing. Why is this taking so long? It isn't that complex of a return. Has anyone else seen these delays as well.

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2 Replies
Level 15
Mar 18, 2021 6:55:19 AM

There are  a LOT of delays.

 

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/taxes/the-irs-is-behind-in-processing-nearly-7-million-tax-returns-slowing-refunds-as-it-implements-new-stimulus/ar-BB1excvi?ocid=msedgdhp

 

 

TurboTax gives you an estimated date for receiving your refund based on a 21 day average from your date of acceptance, but it can take longer.  “21 days”  is not a promise from TurboTax or the IRS.   Many refunds are taking longer during the pandemic.  The IRS is backlogged —-they are still trying to process millions of 2019 returns; they received millions of e-filed on the day they opened for 2020 returns, and now they are burdened with sending out another round of stimulus checks.   

 

 

Some delays are resulting from incorrect amounts that folks entered for stimulus checks they received.   Many people have been confused by the recovery rebate credit and completed it incorrectly.  The IRS may delay your refund while they cross-check to see what you received.

 

 

First, check your e-file status to see if your return was accepted: 

https://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tools/efile-status-lookup/

 

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 34of your 2020 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

 

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1901548-why-do-some-refunds-take-longer-than-others

If you chose to have your TurboTax fees deducted from your federal refund, that will take some extra time, while the third party bank handles the refund processing.

https://www.irs.gov/refunds/tax-season-refund-frequently-asked-questions

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

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/2724106-my-return-is-accepted-but-still-not-approved-is-there-a-problem-should-i-be-worried

New Member
Mar 22, 2021 10:36:29 AM

We are experiencing the same.  We filed early, like you, and still nothing.