Accepted means your tax return is now in the government's hands and has passed the initial inspection (your verification info is correct, dependents haven't already been claimed by someone else, etc.).
After acceptance, the next step is for the government to approve your refund.
First, they look for things like back taxes and unpaid child support. If they find any debts, they'll offset (reduce) your refund to cover the outstanding amount. Once they are satisfied that you have no outstanding debts, they will approve and then issue your refund.
Think of the e-filing/refund process along the lines of applying for a job; although the employer (government tax agency) has received (accepted) your job application, they still have to review (approve) your application before they grant you an interview (refund).
https://ttlc.intuit.com/replies/4689484
The IRS states that most refunds are received within 21 days from the time a return has been accepted and a refund option is selected. The IRS will hold the refunds claiming EITC and ACTC-related returns until Mid-February.
Also, if you have EIC (earned income credit, aka EITC) or ACTC (additional child tax credit), the IRS will not start releasing those refunds until February 15. That means people with those types of credits may not start receiving their refunds until around February 27.
NOTE: If you chose to pay any TurboTax fees out of your Federal refund, that is another link in the chain, since your funds go first from the IRS to an intermediary bank where the fees are subtracted. Then that intermediary bank sends the rest of the funds to your bank in a second direct deposit.https://ttlc.intuit.com/replies/3302084
**Say "Thanks" by clicking the thumb icon in a post
**Mark the post that answers your question by clicking on "Mark as Best Answer"
