How long does it usually take for the IRS to process and approve the federal refund ?

jb121478 — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 23:13:44 GMT

I filed on feb 7 and it said tht typically returns with the child tax credit take a bit longer up to 21 days to be deposited but it’s still showing on the irs site tht my refund hasn’t even been processed for approval yet , only received and accepted

Re: How long does it usually take for the IRS to process and approve the federal refund ?

xmasbaby0 — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 23:14:51 GMT

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: How long does it usually take for the IRS to process and approve the federal refund ?

SharonD007 — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 23:30:52 GMT

The IRS website states that if you claimed the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC), you can expect to get your refund by March 2, 2026, if you:

E-file
Get direct deposit
There’s no issues with your return.

Refer to the IRS website: When to expect your refund if you claimed the Earned Income Tax Credit or Additional Child Tax Credit.

Refer to the TurboTax articles: What if my federal refund is taking longer than 21 days?, When will I get my refund if I claimed the Earned Income Tax Credit or Additional Child Tax Credit?, and Where's My Tax Refund? The IRS Refund Timetable Explained for additional information.

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How long does it usually take for the IRS to process and approve the federal refund ?

Re: How long does it usually take for the IRS to process and approve the federal refund ?

Re: How long does it usually take for the IRS to process and approve the federal refund ?