IRS Accepted Return But Not Approved Explained - Ideal Tax (2024)

Key Takeaways:

  • The tax return filing status, “IRS Accepted Return But Not Approved,” means that the IRS received a submitted tax return but has not evaluated it yet.
  • The IRS provides 3 tax return status updates: Return Received, Refund Approved, and Refund Sent.
  • Taxpayers can check the status of their tax return if they use the Where’s My Refund site, download the IRS2Go mobile app, or call the IRS office directly for refund information.
  • Some common causes of tax return delays include paper form submissions, tax return errors, the taxpayer’s connection to identity theft or tax fraud, suspicious bank activity, or claiming certain tax credits.

IRS Accepted Return But Not Approved Explained - Ideal Tax (1)

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"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. Therefore, the taxpayer must wait to see if more action is required.

Tax Return Status Updates

When a taxpayer submits their federal income tax return to the IRS, they will receive updates to inform them of the status of their return and when they may expect a tax refund. There are three stages of the tax return acceptance process:

1. Return Received: The IRS has received the tax return but has not yet reviewed it.

2. Refund Approved: The IRS has approved that the tax return is correct, there is no tax balance due, and a tax refund will be issued.

3. Refund Sent: The IRS has sent the tax refund to the taxpayer through direct deposit or a paper check.

How To Check Tax Return Status

The best approach to check the status of a tax return is to sign in online using the IRSWhere’s My Refund toolor to use the official IRS mobile app,IRS2Go. The information required to check the online status of a tax return includes:

  • Their Social Security number (SSN) or taxpayer identification number (TIN)
  • Their filing status
  • The refund amount reported on their tax return

If taxpayers prefer to check the status of their refund over the phone, they also have the option tocall the IRSand chat with a live support agent for a question-and-answer session.

When To Check Tax Refund Status

Taxpayers can use the online tax refund status tool to check the status of their refund within 24 hours of submitting an e-file tax return, or 4 weeks after filing a paper tax return by mail.

Common Reasons For Tax Refund Delays

Tax refunds are usually processed within 21 days of the taxpayer filing their tax returns, but if they have not yet received their refund compensation, here are some factors that can cause this situation:

  • The taxpayer submits a paper return by mail
  • There were errors in the tax return
  • The tax return was incomplete
  • The tax return requires further review
  • The taxpayer’s account is connected to identity theft or tax fraud
  • The IRS is informed that the taxpayer’s bank account was flagged for suspicious activity
  • The taxpayer filed a claim for an Additional Child Tax Credit or an Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)

If you need help understanding your tax filing status update or want guidance when you fill out your tax forms, our tax pros are ready to assist. Schedule a free consultation with the tax experts atIdeal Taxtoday to get started with the steps toward tax savings.

If you need help understanding the status of your tax return filing or with any part of the tax preparation process, contact the tax professionals atIdeal Taxfor help.

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Luis Ceja, Author

Luis graduated from California State University Fullerton with a B.A. in Political Science. As the Director of Operations at Ideal Tax, he combines years of academic knowledge with industry expertise, solidifying his prominence in the field.

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IRS Accepted Return But Not Approved Explained - Ideal Tax (2024)

FAQs

IRS Accepted Return But Not Approved Explained - Ideal Tax? ›

"IRS Accepted Return But Not Approved" Meaning

Can a tax return be rejected after being accepted? ›

No, once the IRS accepts the return, it will not be rejected after. However, they may request additional information from you at any time. If you have received notice that the IRS accepted your return, you can be confident they have it, though that does not always mean they have processed it yet.

Is accepted and approved the same thing for taxes? ›

“Accepted” simply means that the IRS has received your tax return. This does not necessarily mean that your tax return has been approved, and it does not mean that you will receive a refund. Your return is marked as “accepted” usually within 24-48 hours of submitting it electronically.

Am I good if the IRS accepted my return? ›

A federal return that's been 'accepted' means it has passed an initial screening, which includes some basic checks. Once it has entered this phase, its status will remain the same until it has been “Approved.” This would mean it has been processed and that the IRS has approved the release of your refund.

Why has my refund been accepted but not approved? ›

"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.

How long does it take for the IRS to approve a refund after it is accepted stimulus? ›

Refund Sent

Updates to refund status are made once a day — usually at night. Even with the January 30 opening of the tax season, we expect refunds to be issued within normal timeframes. The IRS issued more than 9 out of 10 refunds to taxpayers in less than 21 days last year.

Can you be audited after your return is accepted? ›

Your tax returns can be audited even after you've been issued a refund. Only a small percentage of U.S. taxpayers' returns are audited each year. The IRS can audit returns for up to three prior tax years and, in some cases, go back even further.

What happens if the IRS does not approve a refund? ›

The IRS will then contact you by mail if it needs additional supporting documents. If you filed your return by the due date and it gets rejected, the IRS will consider it filed on time if you make the necessary corrections and e-file it again within 10 days.

How to find out why the IRS rejected my tax return? ›

The email will be sent to the email address you used when you created your account. If the IRS rejects your return, the email will list the reasons for rejection (error) and provide a link you should use to resolve the rejection issue.

How long after my tax return is accepted should it be approved? ›

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. Your anticipation builds, knowing that approval signals the final leap towards your bank account boost.

What does the IRS look for to approve your refund? ›

The most common reason for the IRS to review a tax return is something called the Discriminant Function System (or DIF) score. The IRS uses a computerized scoring model that evaluates your return and gives it a score based on the likelihood that it will need to be changed.

Why is the IRS not approving my refund? ›

The tax return has errors, requires additional review or is incomplete. The return needs a correction to the Earned Income Tax Credit or Additional Child Tax Credit. The taxpayer filed their tax return on paper. The taxpayer filed an injured spouse claim.

What happens after refund is accepted? ›

If you're getting a refund, the IRS will take a deeper look at your return after it's accepted. They'll look for math errors, check if you owe back taxes or unpaid child support, and more. If they need to make any corrections, they may offset (reduce) or increase your refund.

Why does Turbotax say my refund was accepted but IRS says processing? ›

Different Statuses: "Accepted" and "Processing" are two different statuses. "Accepted" refers to the status of your tax return, indicating that the IRS has received it [2]. On the other hand, "Processing" refers to the status of your refund, indicating that the IRS is still working on it [2].

How can I tell if my refund was accepted? ›

Use the IRS Where's My Refund tool or the IRS2Go mobile app to check your refund online. This is the fastest and easiest way to track your refund. The systems are updated once every 24 hours. You can contact the IRS to check on the status of your refund.

How long does it take for IRS to approve refund after it is accepted TurboTax? ›

Remember, acceptance by the IRS doesn't mean approval of the refund yet—it just means you have made it to the starting line of the refund process. Keep an eye on the prize: most refunds, especially if you're using direct deposit, arrive within a 21-day window after acceptance.

Why is my IRS refund not showing? ›

Many different factors can affect the timing of a refund, such as if the return has errors, is incomplete or is affected by identity theft or fraud. Other causes for delays: The return may require additional review. The return needs a correction to the Earned Income Tax Credit or Additional Child Tax Credit.

How do I know if the IRS received my tax return? ›

The most convenient way to check on a tax refund is by using the Where's My Refund? tool on IRS.gov. Taxpayers can start checking their refund status within 24 hours after the IRS acknowledges receipt of the taxpayer's e-filed return.

Does TurboTax accepted mean approved? ›

What does it mean when my e-file's been “Accepted”? It means your return was received and accepted by the IRS. Once the IRS takes a closer look, it should be approved provided everything was correct.

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