You submitted your federal tax return as early as you could, and received a message from the IRS congratulating you, saying your return had been accepted. You quickly check the IRS site to see if your refund is on its way, only to find out that your tax return had not yet been approved.
What is the difference between ‘accepted’ and ‘approved’ tax returns?
When you file your tax return electronically, the IRS uses an electronic system to process it. The office receives your return, does an initial screening, checks it for errors and makes sure that it meets the requirements for filing. If there are no major issues, the IRS will ‘accept’ your tax return.
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“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. It will continue with this status until the IRS ‘approves’ it.
“Approved” means that the IRS has finished processing your tax return, and it has determined that everything is in order. Your return has been reviewed, and the IRS has made a determination regarding your tax liability- either you will receive a refund, or you owe additional taxes.
Did you know the fastest and easiest way to file your taxes is electronically? Yes, choosing to e-file will make filing your taxes with the #IRS easier, but that’s just one of the many benefits. Find out more: https://t.co/3SvpgsZoFC
— IRSnews (@IRSnews) April 11, 2024
How long do I have to wait until my tax return changes from ‘accepted’ to ‘approved’?
The IRS will change your tax return’s status to “approved” after they confirm that the information you provided is accurate. This typically takes three weeks from the time it is marked as “accepted”. If they find that you are due a refund, go to Where’s My Refund to find out exactly when the IRS will issue you the amount.
FAQs
Accepted means your tax return was received and has passed initial inspection, such as correct Social Security number and correctly claimed dependents. It can take anywhere from a few days to three weeks for your return to go from acceptance to approval.
How long after my tax refund is accepted will it be approved? ›
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.
Why does my refund say 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.
Is accepted and approved the same thing for taxes? ›
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. It will continue with this status until the IRS 'approves' it.
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 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.
What happens after your tax refund is approved? ›
Monitor Your Tax Return Status
Once you know that your return has been accepted, it's just a matter of waiting. According to the IRS, it takes 21 days or less for the agency to process most tax returns. However, there are instances in which the agency may require more time to deal with an individual return.
How do you know if your refund is approved? ›
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.
Does accepted mean my refund is approved by TurboTax? ›
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.
How will I know if the IRS accepted my return? ›
The most convenient way to check on a tax refund is by using the Where's My Refund? tool. Taxpayers can start checking their refund status within 24 hours after an e-filed return is received. The tool also provides a personalized refund date after the return is processed and a refund is approved.
Most Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC) related refunds should be available in bank accounts or on debit cards by Feb. 27 if taxpayers chose direct deposit and there are no other issues with their tax return.
What day of the week does the IRS deposit refunds? ›
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.
Does the IRS approve refunds on weekends? ›
Usually, the IRS pays refunds a day before the weekend if the payment date falls on a weekend. But there are some cases in which the payment is done on the very day after the weekend passed, assuming it is not a holiday. In those cases, the payments won't appear until the next business day arrives.
How long does it take for the IRS to approve a refund after it is accepted in 2024? ›
When will I get my 2024 tax refund? The IRS does not have an official tax refund calendar or schedule, but it does provide basic guidelines for when you might expect your refund. Taxpayers who e-file an error-free 2023 tax return can expect their refund within 21 days, per the IRS.
Can you get audited after your tax return is accepted? ›
Key Takeaways. 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.
Why is it taking so long to approve my refund? ›
The IRS says that tax returns can be delayed for the following reasons: It was sent by mail. It contains errors or is incomplete. It needs further review.
How long does IRS take to review a tax return? ›
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.
