Tax Year Prior to 2020: My state return came before my federal what does that mean? Federal has always come first and the state return usually a week or two after. Did something go wrong? (2024)

FAQs

Why did my state refund come before federal? ›

Federal income taxes and state income taxes are two entirely different things, just as the IRS is entirely separate from your state's taxing authority. As a result, your federal and state tax refunds may arrive at two different times, even if you file both returns on the same date.

The IRS generally issues refunds within 21 days of when you electronically filed your tax return, and longer for paper returns.

If your state refund is taking longer to arrive than your federal refund, remember that each state has its own processing protocols and security measures, some of which may require more time than the federal process. Want to check on the status of your state refund?

Typically it takes 21 days to receive your refund after the IRS accepts your return. In the meantime, you can check your e-file status online with TurboTax. Tax Refund Tracking Guide Does “accepted” mean my refund is approved? Why does Where's My Refund say “approved” but Turbotax still says “accepted”?

It is possible for that to happen, depending on the kind of income you entered on your tax return, and on the amount you had withheld from your income for federal and state taxes. It is also possible that some of your forms are not ready and you should not trust the calculations at this point.

An incomplete return, an inaccurate return, an amended return, tax fraud, claiming tax credits, owing certain debts for which the government can take part or all of your refund, and sending your refund to the wrong bank due to an incorrect routing number are all reasons that a tax refund can be delayed.

No. When you file your federal return and your state return together, the state requires that the IRS accept the federal return before they will look at the state return.

Although, state refunds often come faster than those being processed through the federal system. This isn't always the case, but it often is. Generally, you can expect to receive your state tax refund within 30 days if you filed your tax return electronically.

What days of the week can I receive my refund? The exact day of the week that the IRS will deposit your refund into your account can vary, but they usually send the refund on every business day, from Monday to Friday.

"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 can the IRS hold your refund for review? ›

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.

There are a few reasons why your federal refund may be delayed. One of the most common culprits is submitting a return that contains an error, such as the wrong Social Security number or incorrect direct deposit information. The IRS could also be holding up your refund if it requires additional review or is incomplete.

The IRS processes federal tax returns, while your state government processes the state tax returns. These are two different administrations that work independently of each other. So, it is common for you to receive your state tax refund before you receive your federal refund.

How to set up a direct deposit for your tax refund. The IRS uses direct deposit to electronically issue tax refund payments directly into taxpayers' financial accounts. In most cases, you will receive your tax refund in less than 21 days after you file your federal tax return.

You should expect state to hit before federal. Federal I usually give it 3 weeks or so. Did you file dependents or eic?