How Long Does It Take for the IRS to Accept Your TurboTax Return? A Comprehensive Guide
Have you ever hit that "File" button on TurboTax and then immediately wondered, "Okay, what now? How long until the IRS actually accepts this thing?" You're not alone! It's a common question, and understanding the process can alleviate a lot of anxiety. While TurboTax sends your return to the IRS almost instantly, the IRS itself has its own processing times for accepting it. Let's break down exactly what happens and how long you can expect to wait.
Step 1: You've Filed! Now What?
First off, congratulations on filing your taxes! That's a major accomplishment. When you e-file your federal tax return through TurboTax, it doesn't go directly to the IRS. Instead, it's sent to Intuit (the company behind TurboTax), which then securely transmits it to the IRS. This initial transmission from TurboTax to the IRS is usually very quick, often happening within minutes or hours of you hitting "send."
Important Note: When TurboTax says your return has been "transmitted" or "filed," it means they've sent it to the IRS. It does not mean the IRS has accepted it yet. That's the crucial distinction we're going to explore.
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| How Long Does It Take For The Irs To Accept Your Return Turbotax |
Step 2: The IRS's Initial Review – The "Pending" Phase
Once the IRS receives your electronically filed return from TurboTax, it enters a "pending" status. During this phase, the IRS conducts a series of automated checks. They're primarily looking for basic validation errors. Think of it as a quick sanity check before they officially stamp it "accepted."
Tip: Stop when confused — clarity comes with patience.
What the IRS Checks During the Pending Phase:
- Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) Match: They verify that the SSN/ITIN on your return matches their records. Even a single digit off can cause a rejection.
- Name Match: Your name, and your spouse's name if filing jointly, must match what the Social Security Administration (SSA) has on file.
- Date of Birth: Again, simple data matching.
- Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) from Prior Year or Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN): If you're e-filing, you'll need to provide either your prior year's AGI or a specially issued IP PIN to verify your identity. If this doesn't match, your return will be rejected.
- Duplicate Filings: The system checks to ensure a return hasn't already been filed for that SSN/ITIN for the current tax year.
- Dependent Information: If you claim dependents, the IRS checks if they've been claimed on another return, or if they've already filed their own return where they claimed themselves.
Step 3: The Moment of Truth – IRS Acceptance or Rejection
This is where you get your answer regarding acceptance.
How Long Does It Take for the IRS to Accept Your TurboTax Return?
For most electronically filed returns, the IRS will accept or reject your return within 24 to 48 hours of receiving it from TurboTax. This timeframe begins after the IRS officially opens for tax season, which is typically in late January. If you filed before this date, TurboTax would have held your return and sent it once the IRS system was ready.
- During Peak Season: At the very beginning of tax season or close to the April 15th deadline, it might lean closer to the 48-hour mark due to the high volume of filings.
- Off-Peak Season: If you file well outside of these peak periods, acceptance can sometimes be even quicker.
What Happens After Acceptance?
Once your return is "accepted" by the IRS, it means they've confirmed the basic information is correct and that they have your return in their system. This is a good sign! However, it does not mean your refund has been approved or sent. That's a separate step.
What Happens If Your Return is Rejected?
If your return is rejected, don't panic! It simply means there was a clerical error or a mismatch in the information provided. TurboTax will notify you of the rejection and usually provide a reason or a rejection code. You'll then be able to correct the error within TurboTax and re-transmit your return without any additional fees. Common reasons for rejection include:
QuickTip: Repetition signals what matters most.
- Incorrect SSN/ITIN for yourself, spouse, or dependents.
- Typographical errors in names or dates of birth.
- Incorrect AGI from the prior year or IP PIN.
- Someone else already claimed a dependent you're trying to claim.
- Your return was already filed by someone else (a sign of potential identity theft, which requires immediate action).
Step 4: Tracking Your Status – Your Best Friend, "Where's My Refund?"
Once your return has been accepted by the IRS, the next step for most people is to anxiously await their refund. The IRS has a fantastic tool for this: "Where's My Refund?"
How to Use "Where's My Refund?":
- Visit the IRS Website: Go to irs.gov/refunds.
- Gather Your Information: You'll need:
- Your Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)
- Your filing status (Single, Married Filing Jointly,
Head of Household, etc.) - The exact whole dollar amount of your refund.
- Enter the Details: Input the required information into the tool.
- Check Your Status: The tool will display one of three statuses:
- Return Received: The IRS has your return and is processing it.
- Refund Approved: The IRS has processed your return and approved your refund. They are preparing to send it. This status will usually include a personalized refund date.
- Refund Sent: Your refund has been sent via direct deposit or paper check.
Key Points About "Where's My Refund?":
- The tool is updated once every 24 hours, usually overnight. There's no need to check multiple times a day.
- You can typically check your refund status 24 hours after your e-filed return has been accepted by the IRS.
- The information available on "Where's My Refund?" is the same information available to IRS phone representatives, so calling them won't necessarily speed up the process.
Step 5: Refund Processing and Delivery
After your return is accepted, the IRS still needs to process it fully and approve your refund.
How Long Until You Get Your Refund After IRS Acceptance?
- For most e-filed returns with direct deposit, the IRS issues refunds within 21 days of acceptance.
- If you chose to receive a paper check, it can take longer, typically an additional week or more for mail delivery after the 21 days.
- Important Exceptions:
- Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC): Due to the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act, the IRS cannot issue refunds for returns claiming EITC or ACTC before mid-February.
If you claimed these credits, your "Where's My Refund?" status might not update until then, and you can expect your refund by late February if there are no other issues. - Errors or Additional Review: If your return has errors, requires additional review, or is incomplete, it will take longer to process and can delay your refund significantly. This could involve the IRS sending you a letter requesting more information.
- Amended Returns: Amended returns (Form 1040-X) are processed manually and can take up to 16 weeks or more to process.
- Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC): Due to the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act, the IRS cannot issue refunds for returns claiming EITC or ACTC before mid-February.
Understanding Delays: Why Your Return Might Take Longer
While the 21-day guideline is common, sometimes delays happen. Here are some reasons:
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- Errors on Your Return: Mistakes in calculations, missing information, or incorrect personal details.
- Identity Theft: If someone has fraudulently filed a return using your SSN, it will trigger a review.
- Claiming Certain Credits: As mentioned, EITC and ACTC refunds are often delayed by law.
- Returns Flagged for Review: Some returns are randomly selected for further review.
- Unusual Activity: If your income or deductions are significantly different from previous years, it might prompt a closer look.
- Paper-Filed Returns: These always take significantly longer, often 4 weeks or more, as they require manual processing.
- Issues with Direct Deposit: Incorrect bank account numbers can cause delays or even a mailed check instead.
If your refund is delayed beyond the typical timeframe, and "Where's My Refund?" doesn't provide a clear explanation, the IRS may eventually send you a letter or you might consider contacting them directly, though be prepared for potentially long wait times.
Tip: Look out for transitions like ‘however’ or ‘but’.
10 Related FAQ Questions:
How to check the status of my TurboTax return with the IRS? You can check the status of your federal return directly with the IRS using their "Where's My Refund?" tool at irs.gov/refunds. You'll need your SSN/ITIN, filing status, and exact refund amount.
How to know if the IRS has accepted my TurboTax return? TurboTax will typically send you an email notification once your return has been accepted or rejected by the IRS. You can also check the status within your TurboTax account or on the IRS "Where's My Refund?" tool.
How to fix a rejected TurboTax return? If your TurboTax return is rejected, log back into your TurboTax account. They will usually highlight the error and guide you through the steps to correct it. Once corrected, you can re-transmit your return electronically.
How to get my refund faster after the IRS accepts my return? The fastest way to receive your refund is by e-filing your return and choosing direct deposit. Most refunds sent this way are issued within 21 days of acceptance.
Tip: Don’t just scroll — pause and absorb.
How to check the status of an amended tax return? Amended returns (Form 1040-X) have a separate tracking tool called "Where's My Amended Return?" on the IRS website. Be aware that amended returns can take up to 16 weeks or more to process.
How to contact the IRS about a delayed refund? While the "Where's My Refund?" tool is your best first step, if it's been significantly longer than the typical processing times and you haven't received a notice, you can call the IRS automated refund hotline at 800-829-1954.
How to avoid common IRS rejection errors? Double-check all personal information (SSN, name, date of birth) for accuracy. Ensure your prior year's AGI or IP PIN is entered correctly. Verify dependent information if applicable. Filing early can also give you more time to correct issues if a rejection occurs.
How to track my state tax refund after filing with TurboTax? For state refunds, you'll need to visit your specific state's Department of Revenue or Taxation website. Most states have their own "Where's My Refund?" type tool.
How to get a copy of my IRS acceptance notification? While TurboTax emails you, you can also often find the acceptance confirmation within your TurboTax account under your "Tax Timeline" or "Order Details" section. The IRS "Where's My Refund?" tool also confirms acceptance.
How to find my AGI from last year if I filed with TurboTax? You can usually find your prior year's AGI within your TurboTax account by viewing or printing a copy of your previous year's tax return. It's typically located on line 11 of your Form 1040.
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