I got a email said your 2023 tax return was accessed. What does that mean?

[KrisD15]

The IRS ACCEPTED the return. 

It was successfully e-filed. 

[xmasbaby0]

Did you e-file?  Did you click a big orange button that said “Transmit my returns now?”

When you e-file your federal return you will receive two emails from TurboTax.  The first one will say that your return was submitted.  The second email will tell you if your federal return was accepted or rejected.  If you e-filed a state return, there will be a third email to tell you if the state accepted or rejected your state return.

First, check your e-file status to see if your return was accepted: 

https://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tools/efile-status-lookup/

If the IRS accepted it, what does it say here?  

https://www.irs.gov/refunds         

[BobTT]

That's helpful, but if you received that message ("Your Federal return was accepted.") and you owed money, you paid it electronically from a bank account on tax day and the transaction was confirmed by your bank—does that mean your amount due (and paid) is a 'done deal' (i.e., the IRS 'agreed' with the amount owed and paid) in terms of no penalty/interest due, and no likely chance of an audit, at that point?

[JulieS]

No, the message your "Your Federal return was accepted." means exactly what it says. You submitted your tax return by e-file and the IRS has accepted your tax return. 

E-file acceptance is a basic computer matching of data like names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, and a few other items. Additional matching and screenings will occur later in the year. 

Since you say your bank has confirmed that your tax payment was made, you can assume that it was, and that you won't be penalized for late payment.

The fact that the IRS accepted your payment doesn't mean that they agree your tax return is correct in all respects. 

None of this has anything to do with audit risk. All tax returns have some audit risk, but for most taxpayers the risk is low. 

[BobTT]

All excellent answers; I really appreciate it.

Does the IRS (ever) provide any confirmation that they fully 'agree' with your return, in terms of the data provided (and amount of return or amount due)? When you submit a return and get a refund, it would seem they have agreed, but I could be wrong. This is separate from an audit, which it seems could happen later no matter.

[CatinaT1]

Generally if you get a refund it means they agree, but as you said, they can always audit anything later if they feel they need to.