The IRS will not start processing returns until January 28, except for small handful of returns that the IRS pulls early for testing purposes. In normal years, a return can be accepted in 24-48 hours once the IRS is processing, sometimes less, and occasionally longer. But with the partial government shutdown, no one knows yet what will happen when the IRS starts processing on January 28.
"Accepted" means the IRS agrees that the return was submitted in proper format so they can begin to process it. "Accepted" and "approved" are 2 different things.
Once your return is accepted, there could still be some extra delay in processing.
In any case, if your return has EIC (earned income credit) or ACTC (additional child tax credit), the IRS by law cannot start releasing those types of refunds until after February 15.
