What is the current IRS status on processing returns?

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Last updated 2/15

Congratulations on finishing your taxes!

We know how important your tax refund is to you. Good news, the IRS started processing tax returns on January 30th.   Returns will be processed in the order they were submitted and as soon as your tax return is accepted, we will notify you by email.   This notification could take up to 48 hours.

The IRS estimates that you should receive your tax refund within 21 days of your return being accepted.  The IRS issued more than 9 out of 10 refunds in less than 21 days last year and expects the same results this year.

Once your tax return has been accepted by the IRS, you can track the status of your refund by logging into your MyTurboTax account or checking the IRS Where’s My Refund Tool.

IRS Update:  The IRS announced today that they are experiencing high traffic on their Where’s My Refund Tool.  As a result, there may be limited availability during busier periods. The IRS has asked the entire tax industry to remind customers to only check Where’s My Refund once a day. IRS systems are only updated once a day, usually overnight.

 

1,796 responses to “What is the current IRS status on processing returns?”

  1. I filed my taxes on Jan. 25th and was told that my return had been send and to expect the government to accept them on the 30th. I then get an e-mail on the 31st that my return is being delayed due to my education credit. Now when I check on TurboTax it says that my return is pending and when I check on IRS it states that they don’t have my return yet. If I was to go back and take off the education credit will my return be processed then?

  2. Annie when you do an ammend on the taxes, and you have a credit for college how longer are you waiting, or how soon can you get it back? I filed and state has been accepted. Not the Fed.

  3. I filed my taxes on 01/05/2013 when TT opened to save returns until the IRS began accepting returns on 01/30/2013. I received an email on the 27th the IRS accepted my return, (this must be the test batch the IRS ran?)
    My status is still accepted, but I have herd other people were accepted as early as the 24th, and some have there DD as soon as Feb, 1st

  4. great idea. I guess if we all go file elsewhere TT will fix their system to allow us to go in a make changes while it is sitting in a pending state, intstead of saying. Sorry.

    • I kind of spoke to fast because my state refund was accepted by the IRS today. I posted before I check today so now I guess I have to ride it out with TT and hopes that the IRS may accept my federal before March. I urge you guys to also check your refund status as well. Things maybe looking up for us yet! That fiscal cliff battle late last year which drag on into earlier this year really screwed us all man! Can’t we all just get along for Heavens sake!

      • Hi,
        I have tried once again to get ahold of somebody at the IRS to find out or attempt to find out the truth (1-800-829-4477). So I have a relative of mine who works each year at HR Block where I live. This is what he told me “HR Block received a email stating that the IRS would start to process returns with Form 8863 on February 7th, 2012.” I cannot get through to find out and the Turbo Tax people on the blog have all but stopped answering back. If anybody else has heard this let us know. I am hoping and praying that this is true.
        Thanks,
        Paul

      • Paul – I finally decided to call HR block. i spoke with an experienced tax rep and she stated the following. IF your status has been pending she recommended that I leave it alone – do not re file with them or anyone else. She stated that the IRS HAS TOLD THEM the 15th of February for processing. If your return shows accepted then they will process first. She also said that anything efiled whether pending or accepted the IRS has it in their system. She recommended I DO NOT refile even though I am pending – it will be rejected because technically they have my return they just have not accepted or rejected it as of yet. So – I am thinking she knows what she is talking about and she was very helpful and patient. Since she stated NOT to come to her and refile I trust her knowledge. Hope this helps. She also said that once it begins processing that she is observing a very fast DD into accounts – within a week – faster than she has ever witnessed so that is good. I believe you will have your money by the end of Feb. at the latest.

      • Hi Cynthia,
        Yes we have written this recommendation in our comments that you do not refile unless you are rejected. If you go in and change your tax return when it is in pending status when you submit again, the IRS will think someone already filed with your same social security number. Our same response is in the comments, but thank you for responding to Paul.
        Lisa Greene-Lewis

      • Thank you Lisa – what does bother me is that I had to call HR Block instead of Turbo Tax who is my filer and has been for years. It is easy to discuss situations with HR Block but every attempt I have made to call Turbo Tax has been unsuccessful. I would prefer to discuss my tax situation with the company I filed with and have been using for years. I am only disappointed in that regard with Turbo Tax – you all are completely in charge and have control at this point over my taxes and refund…that is upsetting that I am unable to communicate freely with a live person easily. Not cool

      • Hi Cynthia,
        Thank you for your feedback. A blog really is not a support channel although I love answering your questions. We do have our tax experts available via phone and chat to answer questions so if you had difficulty getting through, I apologize. I will give your feedback to our support team.
        Thank you! I hope you get your tax refund soon.
        Lisa Greene-Lewis

      • sodiasantos…Glad that at least your state was accepted. I didnt even file my state the second time(w the other preparer) because when I filed w TT, I wasnt getting anything back. But I hope you get your return soon.

      • Hi Karen! I did go to the link you posted and is so relieved about the possibility of the 8863 form being processed however its just a possibility.

        Starting Sunday, Feb. 10, the IRS will start processing tax returns that contain Form 4562, Depreciation and Amortization. And on Thursday, Feb. 14, the IRS plans to start processing Form 8863, Education Credits.

        The IRS states that they WILL start processing tax returns that contain Form 4562 BUT only has plans to start processing the 8863 form! Bummer!! I wish I could vote for a whole new government that’s for sure. So sorry TT is taking the heat for this one but we “the people” have no one else to beat up on but all the refund delays. The government (IRS) could care less about we “the people” gripes.

  5. I filed on Februaury 1,2013 and am still pending. I just have a 1098T This is making me nervous. I keep checking here and they say pending,I thought they only had 48 hours. It has been close to a week now

  6. Can I get a refund or discount for future returns if Turbo Tax fails to submit my returns in the published 24-48 hrs? It is still pending after 5 business days so I should have the option to reject Turbo Tax as my filer and use other options available to me.

  7. I submitted my tax return with you on 01/26/2013. I checked the IRS refund site and they said they have not recieved my return yet. can you tell me when it will be filed with the IRS and when I can expect my refund. Thank you

  8. I filed my return on 01/26/2013. I have checked the IRS refund site and they said they have not yet receivied my form. Can you give me some idea wehn i will get my refund. Thanks

  9. I have received notice that my state returns were rejected because the Federal Return was rejected , yet the Federal return status is still pending and has been for several days. If my Federal Return was rejected why would TT not show that?

  10. My question I received notification that my state went through and a a paper check was issue when ask for direct deposit, why did this happen I’ve been with turbo tax for 10 years and never had this problem?

  11. So from reading all this the problem seems 2 be with turbo tax because the irs hasn’t even rec the file from turbo tax and I have no education credits. So if I file somewhere else that I knw is sending the files to the irs what happens to the second file?

  12. Is the 1098-T the same as the form 8863 or similar? I e-filed on January 30th and included my 1098-T I received from my school. Both my state and federal are still pending as of today. Is the 1098 T the reason?

  13. Turbo Tax has not submitted many efiles not just the 8663 forms. And they refuse to answer any questions from customers who have contacted the IRS and been told they have no record.

  14. I filed federal Jan 26th and State Feb 1st through TT and neither one has been accepted yet. I am still in pending status. This has never happened before and is usually a very fast transaction. Wonder what in the world is going on?

  15. Yet again my posts are not approved while they are in response to those speaking in a mean manner on those just asking questions. Can we just please acknowledge there is justifiable question in regards to the pending TT status page explaining we should see the IRS acknowledge possession of our returns in 24-48 hours while for some of us it has been over a week. This is a separate issue. Many are just looking for the piece of mind of where the taxes filings actually are as TT says they are with the IRS, meanwhile the IRS shows no record the return exists. That is all regarding this. 2nd. Not everyone is waiting to run in go shopping as some of the impolite and attacking responses seem to imply. Those of us with the educational credit go to college. And some of us who are disabled go online as a form of a job to feel productive and educated. Now, the credit while very needed is preventing those of us who need to complete the government required FASFA, can not do so until the federal turn is completed. So we now have our education on hold for 2013 because of this. Worse yet, FASFA assistance is a limited funding. If you delay filing it, and others get through who may have even less need, you could be denied because you files after others were allocated the money. For some of us that would mean we are unable to go to school in any capacity for an entire year. I hope those attacking can now see the reason for the elevated concern to many of us students and the direct correlation of the two circumstances.

  16. The IRS could AT LEAST give folks a projected date to get your refund once it’s accepted (If you had no education credits to claim). This generic “21 days” crap is lame to say the least. Even sending emails to folks letting them know there is a delay in processing returns “in general” would be nice & how long it’s gonna take them to get back on schedule. It seems to me the IRS already knew they were screwing folks over, that’s why they took down the old reliable “Tax Refund Schedule Timeline” that showed ppl when to expect their refunds.

    • This is just like WASHINGTON GOVT agencies not to get a straight answer to a simple question about my taxes when there’s a refund involved and they’re in the wrong. Let them tell it, they’re never wrong!

  17. I filed my taxes January 24th. TurboTax said my application was accepted but the IRS has no record of my tax return. I am also a student and heard that it may delay my tax forms and return. Where can I check to see when I’ll get my tax return?

  18. I filed my return on 2/1/2013 and still says pending I have no education credis but I am self employed . Do this mean there is a problem with my return?

  19. I filed my taxes on January 26 and it is Feb 6 and still showing pending? Why so long? I have used Turbo Tax for years with good results but I am disapointed with your service this year.

  20. I filed my taxes with TT on 1/16, with the Education credit and on the WMR, it says they have no information. So sounds like TT is “holding” all returns with that 8863 form until the IRS decides to accept them. So I filed with another preparer today, without the Education credit crap and the IRS is processing my return. Now Im just waiting for it to be accepted. This is more information then what I received from TT since i filed on 1/16. I know its not TT fault but they are not telling ppl that they can re-file without including the 8863 form and then amend their return once the 8863 form is available/updated with the IRS.

    • Annies I am about to do the same thing as well. I have so many bills that I need to pay like yesterday. TT did state that we could have left out the educational credit originally and filed an amendment later but they did not say hey go file with another company but this time don’t file the educational credit and it should work out well for ya. Good luck! Now why would they say that annie..they would loose so much business/ money. But what you did is just common sense 101

      • sodiasantos, yes they wanna keep their customers by not telling them to go elsewhere. I just chose to take my business somewhere else since TT wants to charge almost $100 for a return that’s been pending for almost a month. Again, Im not blaming TT, I just dont like that they are holding the returns until the IRS says they are accepting them. I will file my amendment for the education credit because that is $1000 for me but like you, I have bills that are past due and Im not working and exhausted my unemployment benefits. So yes, I need my money like yesterday, not in March.

      • Man when I filed the education sheet it reduced my refund $1000. That makes me feel like I don’t have a credit form but something I owe. I am so confused. Maybe I filed mine wrong and now I can’t look it over.

      • I am so confused. Are you saying that TT is holding returns with the education credit? Is there a place at IRS to determine if they have my return or TT if they still have it.

      • Are you saying that TT is holding returns with the education credit? Is there a place at IRS to determine if they have my return or TT if they still have it.

      • Annies, To recieve a tax return in March when you filed in January is just so ridiculous!! I have never received my tax return that late! Wow!! I know its now TT fault that is why I am filing somewhere else without the educational credit. But I was also was shocked at how much TT has increased their prices from last year as well. Last year I only paid no more than $60 bucks to file using the online TT software which included their audit protection this year it was a total of $100 bucks and some change!! Woa! Business must be good for these guys! lol I am afraid of what it may be next year so I may not return. There are so many online tax services now. HR block has online filing software as well so I have find a better deal you know, if I shop around.

      • I understand how you feel I pissed away over $100.00 to file taxes around Jan 21 2013 and still getting nothing but rejections 3x I am going to H&R Block and file without education benifits. Turbo Tax You SUCK!!!!!!!!!! I am planning on sueing them for Ad misreputation on Fast Refunds

      • Hi- The reason we don’t recommend filing without the education credits, and then amending is because amended returns must be paper filed, and the processing time is approximately 12 weeks after the IRS receives the return. If you are waiting on your money from the education credits, you will be in a better situation by waiting until the IRS begins accepting education credits and filing a complete return at that time. They announced today that they will begin accepting them on February 14. Using that timeline, you should have your entire refund by early March. The turnaround time for refunds has been short this year, so it’s very possible that you will have it in February. If you file without the education credits now, you will receive a portion of your refund early. However, you cannot amend until you receive your refund, which will be late February at the earliest. After that, add another week to mail an amendment and twelve weeks for processing, and it will be late May before you receive the portion of your refund due to the education credits. If you are in no hurry to receive the education credits, it’s not an issue. It’s been my experience that bulk of refunds for college students comes from education credits.
        Hope that clarifies a few things for you!
        ~Barb

  21. I filed on the 30th of January and still pending Federal and State rejected because the 3885A Form. What should I do? I talked to one turbo tax rep and mentioned that IRS still have technical problems. Is this true?

  22. I filed my taxes 2-2-13, and it still says pending. The blurb attatched states that it is usually accepted in 24-48 hours from the day it was filed??? How long will this take to get accepted? My friend filed hers on 1-29-13 and it still says pending as well??

  23. I submitted my tax returns on January 31. I have not received any emails staying whether my return was accepted or rejected…….

  24. I filed on 1-25-2013 and was acceted on 1-25-2013..but still say proccessing on WMR..also my whole family started filing on the 30th and they all been accepted but still proccessing.dear TT or IRS pls give us a answer to whats going on?..TT i know its out of your hands but this isnt right.i promise to never use TT again!..all my friends that used HR block have recieved their money or atleast a date..

  25. I filed via turbotax on 1/25/13 and understand that the IRS didn’t start processing most returns until 1/30/13 however it’s now 2/6/13 and my return is still pending. How much longer will it take before my return is accepted?

  26. I filed on the 26th Of January and have the education credit that isn’t going to be processed till mid February- about how long will it take to be processed once they start. And when will that be?

    • Hello Amanda – The IRS anticipates that 9 of 10 taxpayers will receive their refunds within 21 days or less once their return is processed. Thanks, Karen

  27. Does anyone look at the posts? 9 out of 10 of these questions have been answered several times. It is a nation wide delay on IRS side NOT Turbo Tax. And most of you answer your own questions in your post.

    • Everett Parks I’m so glad you made this post. People need to take a chill pill. They’re blaming Turbo tax and it’s not their fault

    • Thank you!!!! While in understand we all need our taxes as much as the next guy, these people who are getting all irate with turbo tax are out of control!! If they would take the time to read just a few comments on here they might see this. Why is everybody blaming turbo tax, last I checked, they don’t control the IRS 🙂

  28. I am unsure why my post from days ago did not publish. However, I am one of the disgruntled. I get there are hiccups and delays on occasion. But, as a near 40 yr old adult college student who is already scrapping pennies to even go to college, this seems absurd. Why is it ok for the IRS to hold out refunds because we qualify for an educational credit, yet if we owed the IRS and put it off and out it off there would be late fees and penalties associated with us owing them. What about the other way around?! Doubtful we even hear an apology. I feel extremely penalized for being a single person busting there butt for an education. In addition, I am disabled and unable to have a reliable additional income so some of us really need our refund for things like food and medical bills. My taxes were files early jan, sent on the 28th and received an email that they were informally accepted by the IRS but have not sent an acknowledgment to turbo tax that they accepted it so I take it my “21 days” hasn’t even started yet. This is crazy and seems very unfair.

  29. I have tried so hard to be patient and wait this out but at this point I am getting fed up. I am a single mom and I NEED MY REFUND. Yes I have “made it” through the year without it, BUT just bearly!! This is just a joke, the IRS needs to sh** or get off the pot. Either accept mine and many others returns OR reject them so that we can take off the educational credit for now and amend later. Honestly I do not think they want to deal with all the amendments they will face if they take action and just reject the returns. My return still says pending and has been that way since 1/29. My state return has already been accepted, but yet here we are standing still on the federal. I agree with Paul the computer programmer (my brother is one as well!) there is NO WAY that it takes this long to fix a program error! IRS is just jerking us around like they do oh so well!!!!! My guess is they don’t have the $$$ to pay everyone and this is their excuse. TT has always been great, but I am so sick of seeing the SAME reply to every post. Nothing changes, no new info at all. Is TT staying on top of this??? H&R Block may be my best choice next year and that makes me very sad 🙁

    • I feel for you. I’m fed up with this crap too. I’m still waiting for a response on my taxes and it’s been way more than 48 hours like they said. I’ve always been happy with Turbo Tax and I’ve definitely never had this problem before. It’s ridiculous.

  30. I filed on jan 25…was notified on jan 30 it was pending today is feb 5 and still pending now I hear mid feb so we are talking the end of feb early march before we get the returns?

  31. I efiled on 1/30/13. My state has been accpeted but my federal still has not. Is there an issue with the federal returns right now or something? Usually i am waiting on the states return…

  32. I filed my taxes on January 26th and my Federal still says Pending. I have been told that the problem is because Turbo Tax hasn’t actually released my tax file to the federal government. Is this true? Is there a chance that if I were to file with a different company, would my federal be accepted right away?

  33. I submitted my taxes via e-filing over 6 days ago, and have not heard anything about my status yet. Turbo Tax said “within 48 hours”…does anyone else have this problem?

  34. I filed on the 17th of January accepted on the 25th of January and we are still processing. Why could this be? Simple return, husband is active duty has been 5 yrs we had 5 kids my four and his 1 that he gets to claim every other. Could ours be delayed bc of his child? And if so how do they notify you if they require additional info ..like the paper her mom signs to say we can claim her per there divorce decree. Only reason I could think we still have no updated dd date:( bc we have no change of job, no school or home credits. We are concerned to say the least.

  35. Can y’all just send mine through? It seems to me as if you’re holding it because its just saying received by turbotax. I want my chance to be one of the random people selected as a test to see if the system is running or not, I can’t be if you all are holding it till the IRS is ready. And stop over looking my comment and answer me or I’m going to think turbotax is a fraud and just pick random people to answer.

  36. My return was sent into TT on 26 Jan. Why have I not recieved anything but a state return rejection notice as of today on Feb 5 ??

  37. So my state return was accepted on the 28th but then when I go to my state’s refund page it says my return is still pending. What’s the deal?

  38. My federal has not been confirmed and it’s been 4 days. I am concerned that something could be wrong. Does it normally take this long?

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