After acceptance, but
before processing the status may not be available. This is normal, until the
government starts reviewing and processing your return, they won't have any
record of it.
Make sure to only enter your federal income amount,
not federal and state combined. Another important factor can be if you are
married filing jointly and make sure you are using the Social Security Number
for the name that appears first on the return. If still
no record, wait and try again. The IRS Where's My Refund? tool updates every 24 hours.
Even though the IRS issues 9 out of 10 tax refunds within 21 days, it's possible your return may require additional review and take longer to process.
For some taxpayers, PATH Act requirements and other identity-protection safeguards implemented by the IRS may account for longer wait times. (Earned Income Tax Credit (EIC) and/or Additional Child Tax Credit)
Other things that can delay your refund include but are not limited to:
- Liens, back taxes, or refund offsets;
- Errors, inconsistencies, or missing information;
- Identity fraud;
- Form 8379, Injured Spouse Allocation, which can take 11-14 weeks to process.
Also, if you chose direct deposit, your financial institution may need another day or two to post the refund to your account, so keep that in mind.
Here is the general timeline of e-filed returns:
Transmission > Acceptance > Processing > Approval >
Refund.
If you are concerned, you can contact the IRS at: 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.
Press
1 for "form, tax history, or payment".
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.
