topic I am still waiting for my 2021 federal tax return that I filed using turbotax on 4/10/2022. Are tax returns really taking this long to be processed? what can I do? in After you file

I am still waiting for my 2021 federal tax return that I filed using turbotax on 4/10/2022. Are tax returns really taking this long to be processed? what can I do?

polenj20 — Tue, 10 Mar 2026 06:44:21 GMT

I have tried the IRS website and when I call its all automated.
Is there anything else I can do to get my refund? 7 months is ridiculous and I planned on paying down a debt that has now gained alot of interest without having my refund in a timely manner in order to pay that debt off with a lump sum... any way to get that interest refunded?

Re: I am still waiting for my 2021 federal tax return that I filed using turbotax on 4/10/2022. Are tax returns really taking this long to be processed? what can I do?

xmasbaby0 — Sat, 19 Nov 2022 21:24:18 GMT

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 35a of your 2021 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

OR——if you filed by mail, expect a long wait. It is taking the very backlogged IRS six to nine months to process mailed returns. Until a human opens your envelope and enters the data into the system, nothing will even show up on the refund site, so you will have to be very patient.

To call the IRS:IRS: 800-829-1040 hours 7 AM - 7 PM local time Mon-Fri

Listen to each menu before making the selection.

First choose your language. Press 1 for English.

Then do NOT choose the first choice re: "Refund", or it will send you to an automated phone line.

Instead, 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 should then transfer you to an agent.

TAX ADVOCATE

At the following IRS website, find the USA map and click on your state, and it will give you the number of your area's IRS Taxpayer Advocate.

http://www.irs.gov/uac/Contact-a-Local-Taxpayer-Advocate

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

https://www.taxpayeradvocate.irs.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/TAS_CaseCriteria_061120.pdf

https://www.taxpayeradvocate.irs.gov/can-tas-help-me-with-my-tax-issue/

Re: I am still waiting for my 2021 federal tax return that I filed using turbotax on 4/10/2022. Are tax returns really taking this long to be processed? what can I do?

NCperson — Sun, 20 Nov 2022 00:52:29 GMT

@polenj20 did you paper file or efile.

the IRS has been very slow to process returns this year. Their website states that they have completed processing of all returns that do not have an error THROUGH MARCH. So if you paper filed, they may not have processed it yet, or if you efiled it probably has an error.

if you paper filed, it will not appear on the WMR tool at the IRS website until the have scanned to paper and begun processing.

just be patient is all you cal do (and check the website once per week!)

Re: I am still waiting for my 2021 federal tax return that I filed using turbotax on 4/10/2022. Are tax returns really taking this long to be processed? what can I do?

polenj20 — Sun, 20 Nov 2022 01:08:09 GMT

Hi there, I e-filed and account says it was accepted by the IRS. in the picture above you can see it was accepted on April 10th 2022. Thanks for the information on how I might be able to get a hold of a real person on the phone. Thank you.

Re: I am still waiting for my 2021 federal tax return that I filed using turbotax on 4/10/2022. Are tax returns really taking this long to be processed? what can I do?

polenj20 — Sun, 20 Nov 2022 01:13:12 GMT

Hi there, I e-filed in April 2022. Below I provided a screen shot that said the IRS accepted it on April 10th 2022.

Currently I haven't received any communications about an error. Hopefully they are just getting around to the returns filed in april. Thanks for your help.

Re: I am still waiting for my 2021 federal tax return that I filed using turbotax on 4/10/2022. Are tax returns really taking this long to be processed? what can I do?

NCperson — Sun, 20 Nov 2022 02:10:26 GMT

@polenj20 - first, "accepted" simply means the IRS acknowledges receipt. It does not mean it has been reviewed, processed or approved.

Since it has been sitting since April that probably means there is an error of some sort or is under review.

Have you checked your transcript?

https://www.irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript

if there are any codes / dates listed after the acceptance date those are clues to the issue.

By chance did you have anything on Lines 28 or 30 of Form 1040?