topic I like to know what's going on with my my return it's been 21 days out and still the same thing so I'm checking up on it in After you file

I like to know what's going on with my my return it's been 21 days out and still the same thing so I'm checking up on it

leroyshores4 — Tue, 17 Feb 2026 17:18:43 GMT

I'd like to know what's going on with my refund it's been 21 days and it's still the same thing saying accepted that's it I know what's going on

Re: I like to know what's going on with my my return it's been 21 days out and still the same thing so I'm checking up on it

xmasbaby0 — Tue, 17 Feb 2026 17:22:29 GMT

Federal and state refunds come from completely separate entities. There is no rule as to which one will come in first or how long it will be between their arrival in your account.

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.

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 2025 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/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/tax-refund/track-state-refund/L3jgO8PGs_US_en_US?uid=lt447ebr

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://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/tax-refund/refunds-take-longer-others/L14YlqFrH_US_en_US?uid=lexdr7zh

https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/tax-refund/irs-refund-taking-longer-21-days/L2vRAJbdU_US_en_US?uid=lexe7lst

If you are getting earned income credit on line 27 or additional child tax credit on line 28 You are subject to the delay required by the PATH act. Do not expect your refund before early March

https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/internal-revenue-service/federal-refunds-delayed-due-path-act/L5jnQJsBi_US_en_US

Note: “Accepted” is not the same as “approved”. TurboTax tells you the e-file was accepted if the IRS deems that there is enough information on the return for them to take it in for processing. Only the IRS can approve of the refund, which is a later stage of processing. If the IRS approves your refund they will provide a date for the refund to be issued.

FROM THE IRS WHERE’S MY REFUND SITE:

https://www.irs.gov/wheres-my-refund

How it works

Where's My Refund shows your refund status:

Return Received – We received your return and are processing it.
Refund Approved – We approved your refund and are preparing to issue it by the date shown.
Refund Sent – We sent the refund to your bank or to you in the mail. It may take 5 days for it to show in your bank account or several weeks for your check to arrive in the mail.

Re: I like to know what's going on with my my return it's been 21 days out and still the same thi...

LindaS5247 — Tue, 17 Feb 2026 17:51:12 GMT

Most refunds take around three weeks to process. ‌However, as XmasBaby0 mentions above, if you had a credit on your tax return like the Earned Income Credit or the Child Tax Credit and Additional Child Tax Credit, the processing time is a little longer.

The delay is due to the PATH Act or Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes, and it requires the IRS to hold refunds for returns claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC) until at least February 15.

You can use this IRS tool Where's My Refund? to check on the status of your refund. It provides updates regarding the processing of your tax return.

You can also call the IRS: 1-800-829-1040 hours 7 AM - 7 PM local time Monday-Friday. Make sure to have a copy of your tax return available.

These things can delay a refund:

Your tax return has errors, is incomplete or is affected by identity theft or fraud.
Your tax return needs a correction to the child tax credit or recovery rebate credit amount.
Your tax return has a claim filed for an earned income tax credit, additional child tax credit, or includes a Form 8379, Injured Spouse Allocation PDF.
Your bank may take longer to post your refund to your bank account.

The IRS will contact taxpayers by mail if it needs more information to process their return.

Click here for "Why Is My Tax Refund Delayed? 7 Common Reasons"

Click here for "How to Track an Income Tax Refund"

Click here for Why it may take longer than 21 days for some taxpayers to receive their federal refund

Please return To Community if you have any additional information or questions and we would be happy to help.