Does the 21 day processing time include weekends? (2024)

FAQs

Does the 21 day processing time include weekends? ›

The Internal Revenue Service says it processes about nine out of 10 tax returns within 21 business days. That estimate does not include weekends and holidays.

The 21 days includes weekends. However, some refunds can take longer, specifically those with refundable tax credits. If you have Earned Income Credit or Additional Child Tax Credit, your refund could be delayed for additional processing. The IRS has a tool that you can use to check the status of your refund.

Our help lines are open Monday through Friday. Residents of Alaska and Hawaii should follow Pacific time. Phone lines in Puerto Rico are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time.

The oly way you may get a payment on a Saturday is if the refund was made on a Friday and the money is processed on the very next day. Other than that, refunds are never made to financial institutions on weekends of holidays.

The return has errors, is incomplete or is affected by identity theft or fraud. The return needs a correction to the child tax credit or recovery rebate credit amount. The return has a claim filed for an earned income tax credit, additional child tax credit, or includes a Form 8379, Injured Spouse AllocationPDF.

Weekends can count toward the 21 days. However, they don't always count or at least they might change the time computation.

(updated December 22, 2023) We issue most refunds in less than 21 calendar days. However, if you mailed your return and expect a refund, it could take four weeks or more to process your return.

If the last two digits are 05, you're in a weekly batch cycle, with updates typically occurring on Saturdays and Fridays for transcripts and Where's My Refund status, respectively.

If the IRS is reviewing your return, the review process could take anywhere from 45 to 180 days, depending on the number and types of issues the IRS is reviewing.

Tax Assistance -- 1- 800- 829 - 1040

Telephone tax assistance is available from Monday to Friday from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Jan. 2 to Apr. 15 and on Sunday Apr. 7 and Apr.

Can refunds be processed on weekends? ›

Banks are set so that any transaction made after close of business is date for the 1st business day after Sunday. So, your refund would either be deposited on that Friday morning or Monday morning but not Saturday or Sunday morning.

"IRS Accepted Return But Not Approved" Meaning

If a taxpayer receives the status update that their tax return was accepted but not approved, this means that the IRS has received their tax return, but they have not yet evaluated the information.

WMR updates everyday of the tax season because tax returns are processed everyday of the tax season. The IRS doesn't issue refunds on weekends because ACH transactions through the Federal Reserve only happen Monday-Friday.

IRS approval: The IRS works to review and approve refunds quickly and efficiently. In fact, historically, more than 9 out of 10 refunds are processed and approved within 21 days of e-file acceptance.

If you don't have Internet access, you may call the refund hotline at 800-829-1954 to check on your tax year 2023 refund. To check on an amended return, call 866-464-2050.

If their refund status changes from “being processed” status to “still being processed” status, the issue detected in the tax forms was likely resolved and the refund may be released when it is approved for a future cycle date.

Days of Presence in the United States

You are treated as present in the U.S. on any day you are physically present in the country, at any time during the day.

If the payment date requested is a weekend or bank holiday, the payment will be withdrawn on the next business day. In that case, your bank may put a hold on those funds, and treat it as a pending transaction. The payment amount will be debited in a single transaction. No recurring or partial withdrawals will be made.

The cycle code on your tax transcript signifies that the IRS has received your return and is currently reviewing it. It consists of six digits, with the first four indicating the year of processing and the fifth and sixth representing the week.

(added March 14, 2022) After you verify your identity and tax return information using this service, it may take up to nine weeks to complete the processing of the return. Visit Where's My Refund? or use the IRS2Go mobile app 2-3 weeks after using this service to check your refund status.