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. turbo sent my returns jan 28, 2 weeks later, the state has accepted its return but my federal is still in the pending status! how/who can i contact at turbo tax to find out what is going on?

  2. I checked on the status of my federal claim. I filed on Feb. 9th and per the tubro tax site it is still pending, the state one has been accepted. Is it unusual for it to be pending so long?

  3. I filed our tax forms with TurboTax on 2/7/13 and the state forms were accepted immediately. I see that our Federal forms are pending, what does this mean. I would like some word on this and confirmation that these forms have been accepted for Federal refund. I just lost my job on Dec 31, 2012 and this refund is very important to us. Please reply…..

    • Mine disappeared too…for a few days…went from processing lit ip…to no graph and just a statement saying was in processing and would list a deposit date when available……when it updated over night last night…it came back with accepted and a deposit date.

  4. What I want to know is why am I paying a 3rd party bank to deposit my refund if its coming straight from the IRS? Why use a 3rd party bank if the IRS can deposit it into my checking account?

  5. why are people that filed with H&R Block, gettin their returns in a weeks time and it already been two weeks for me?? the filers i know that got them back in a week also itemized?? ANSWERS??????

      • My son used a different Tax service, His was accepted within one hour of e-file, And has already received his refund, He filed on Feb 1st.And recieved his refund on Feb 11th.
        I used turbo tax, I e-filed on Jan 30, and mine has still not even been accepted..

      • Lisa, You keep sending the same links. But not answering any questions. I have been in the pending state since Jan.29. I have went to the WMR and the IRS still has no info on my taxes. I have NOT received any further communication from TT. I think we can all agree we understand delay with IRS, but can not understand the lack of customer service and knowledge of anything, you all
        have at this point.

  6. I filed on 1/25 and my federal still shows Pending. My State was accepted on 1/7 I have a AMT credit from last years taxes is that still holding up my federal? When will it be processed?

  7. I filed on fed 2 and mine is still pending…well if the government would get the stuff together we would be getting our refunds…in the 7-10 days..this is not rite..if we owe them they can put liens on our property and accounts..wonder if this works both ways…come on someone just be honest get real

  8. I filed my tax return on Feb. 6th and it was on hold until Feb 14th for the Education Credits. I should have received a notice from TurboTax that the IRS has received it. This is the first year I used TurboTax and I never had a problem with H&R Block filing. At least H&R lets you know that the IRS did in fact receive your return.

    • patty – I was in the same boat as you but on the 14th I DID receive a notice the the IRS accepted my return from TT. You may want to check your efile status on the Turbo Tax site

      • Hi Cynthia, I still have not received anything even though I recevied an e-mail on the 14th saying my deposit will be in my account in two days.

  9. DCL said: on February 17, 2013 at 2:49 am
    Hi All….well….I’ve been on here from the beginning…like many of you….as a re-cap..LOL i did 3 returns for us and 2 Fam. members in Jan…..after several delays, pending s, accepted but no movement for several weeks…..my mom’s return was accepted, approved, and direct deposited within 15 days…..my brothers. Was accepted, approved, and deposited within SIX days….ours was accepted, approved, and deposited within 12 days…..WMR was updated last night…mine fiiiiinally says approved, lights graphic back up…and dep. date of Feb. 22nd!
    Hopefully all of you guys was updated last night as all…. Best of luck! 🙂
    DCL

    • Hi DCL, Did all the deposits post on a fri? I know in previous years returns always post on a Friday. I’m just wondering if we may get ours mid week

      • Hi can.t wait…no…my mom’s posted on a Wed…my bro…was earlier than expected! Should have been today! The 19th…he got it SATURDAY,!! Guess cause yest. Was a holiday…they deposited it early?? And mine is scheduled for the 22nd…This Fri…

  10. Well i have been pending since jan 30. I go to WMR and they still have no info on me. I am only wanting some confirmation the IRS even has my stuff.

    • In the waiting game with you…only thing im upset with turbo tax is..people say they recieved emails about what is going on we havent. I understand no control over the IRS but it would be nice to know TT values us and is doing its best to keep us updated. i found this blog by accident thats how i know whats going on.

    • Same here. Would be nice if someone would give us a straight answer. WMR and TT have given no information for over 2 weeks, and I am on the 19th day since filing my return.

      • the 21 days starts from the day that irs accepts your return not when u send it sry. and yes tt needs to be more responding to there customers

  11. Apparently if you had any college deductions or credits the IRS didn’t start processing those until Feb 15th. Don’t know if this help anyone else but it’s what I found out about our return. State was accepted next day after filing and recevied Direct Deposit in less than a week.

  12. Completed our taxes 31 Jan. As of 16 Feb it still shows pending. IRS said they started accepting property depreciation 10 Feb. Why is mine still in the queue? Frustrating as heck!

  13. I filed w TT on 1/16 w the 8863 form and then TT dropped the ball on 1/28 or something on the IRS not accepting returns like mine until mid Feb. So I decided to refile somewhere else without the 8863 form on 2/6. It was accepted the same day by the IRS. Then TT sent my return to the IRS on 2/14 and it was rejected since it was already accepted with another preparer. I dont plan on using TT for anything since they dropped the ball after the fact…but will TT try to resend even if I ignore their request to correct things w them?

    • First of all Annies you cannot blame TT because IRS delayed accepting the form 8863 including other forms that was not ready. I had the education credit also and my returned was delayed also. I am in shock that grown people and I am going to assume that you are grown if you submitted a return to the IRS is blaming a software company for their return being delayed because of the IRS. TT will not resend that return; it will be up to you. If you had done your home work you could of taken that form out before you e filed with TT. As I stated don’t blame a software product that had nothing to do with the IRS and their delays.

      • Lajujana…I can read and nowhere when I filed did is state my type of return would NOT be sent until mid Feb. The message I got was they would not be processing returns until 1/30 & I got that message AFTER I completed my return with TT!!! Nevertheless, my problem is they keep lying to the customers by telling them they cannot refile without the education form(those whom been sitting in “pending status” before 2/14) with TT or any other preparer. TT NEVER sent anything to the IRS before 2/14 so therefore you can file somewhere else. TT wont tell their customers because they wanna collect the $100 they charged…They WONT get mine…

    • TT shouldn’t refile your taxes again unless you correct the mistakes and choose to send. I’m curious as to why you’re upset with TT? You received the message stating that because of the form 8863 that your taxes would not be filed until mid Feb. and yet you decided to drop the form and file with someone else…..? TT did their job and moved your return from the status of “pending” to “accepted”. Seems that all of this could have been avoided if you had exercised a little patience…….just my two cents.

  14. I file my return on feb 8 and it’s still saying pending…this was my first and last time using turbo tax…i can’t get any good answer as to why my return is still pending. except for the irs was not taking the education credit yet.

  15. I filed a week ago and the return is still pending. Friends who went with HR have had theirs accepted (same tax situation) and I cannot get an answer from anyone other than wait. Some have stated that we need to be patient as we are getting free money, BS, I over paid by a significant amount due to pension changes and tax codes and no this was not the Republicans fault, but something that changed in 2009. So basically an interest free loan to the Feds.

  16. has TT received any information as to if the IRS has started accepting the efile returns that have educational forms?

    • Hi P.W. — The IRS started processing these returns on 2/15, but there is a large backlog and many returns still show pending and may continue to do so for a few more days. Hope that clarifies! –Christopher

  17. We are upset. We filed federal with TT 2/1/2013 with a standard deduction and no credits, nothing remotely complex. Our return is still pending (and has not been received by the IRS). We have written several questions on your site with no response at all. We have read both IRS and TT materials on factors that might delay IRS filing and don’t believe any of them is involved. What is going on? We used TT last year with no problems.

      • Apparently the holdup is form 8582 (Passive Activity Loss Limitations) although there was no loss. I guess this form was filed because of <$300 in book royalties. Does that sound correct? It is upsetting if the efile is still pending since 2/1 for something that reflected no loss. But thank you for taking time to answer although the FAQ is not exactly helpful. I'm just guessing that's the holdup.

  18. I filed my Return with TT on Feb 4 and received an instant email confirmation that my Return was received by TT. The email also said that my Return was “lined up for processing,” but that the IRS was not ready to accept my Return – apparently because it contained Form 4562. The email said that my Return would be “automatically sent to the IRS as soon as they’re ready to receive it.” I have not been told, as promised, if it has been forwarded to the IRS – yet when I check TT status of my Return I am told that it is “pending” at the IRS. Question: Where is my Return and what is its status. Clearly, the 24/48 hour period for response has long passed. What’s up TT?

    • Hi Tom – Your return is with the IRS and the delay is entirely on their end. There apparently is a significant backlog of returns with Form 4562, and many returns are still showing as “Pending.” That’s all the information we have right now. Thanks for your understanding! –Christopher

      • Christopher,

        Is the same thing going on with Form 8863 as you told TomG about pending returns? Just wondering because my return has been at the IRS since January 30 and has 8863’s, two of them, on it. So does my 21 days start all over again with February 14th or stay with January 30th?

  19. Everyone needs to be patient we are all waiting for returns remember even if you filed early and you have one of those forms that can delay your refund in could be up to three weeks before you see any money. You can not blame the IRS all this blame goes on the Republicans they are the one’s who waited to long to get a deal on the Fiscal Cliff. so if you want to blame contact your Republicans.

    • You are completely Wrong Shawna, The Republican passed several efforts through the House to avoid the Fiscal Cliff. It was Harry Reid that killed every Republican bill and refuses to pass a budget. The reason the Republican did not bow down to Obama is because Obama played the class warfare game for all he could. In the end we are all paying more in taxes because of Obama policies. The tax the rich gains Obama got was worth 8 days of Federal Spending and the Feds keep printing money like there’s no tomorrow. If the Federal Government would live within a budget the tax code would not have to be modified at the last minute. Shawna, with all due respect THINK before you vote!

  20. Well, my friend did hers and it was accepted on the Feb 10th. She didnt have educational credits. WMR still says accepted. The rest of us got our stuff accepted yesterday.. still says accepted!

  21. Hey Paul,
    Did u ever get you refund deposit date?? Mine was accepted (finally) on the 10th of Feb… WMR said received with the lights graphic…but today..like yours said…it now says processing, no graphics, they went away, and a deposit date will be posted when available???? Uggggg what has been your progress?

    • Hi DCL,

      As with you my tax refund did have the graph and was colored on Return received. Now my WMR update says that my return is being processed and I will be given a refund date when available. I do nbot know what to think other than being asked to wait 24-48 hrs for a update. My return waws “allegedly” accepted on the 25th of January even though the IRS told me on the phone that was impossible that they didnt open till the 30th or TT telling me that they sent no emails to people saying that their tax return was accepted before January 30th. Whatever I find out I will put it on here ASAP. Thanks

      • Hi! Thanks for answering…. I also called today when the message had changed on WMR…the IRS guy said…that was the latest update..and not to be concerned..it was just in processing?? When I told him that my mom’s and my bro…NEVER said that and that their graph NEVER went away??? And mom got her refund..and the graphs said dep. date etc…. And my brothers as well…his is to be deposited on the 19… Again…my only concern is that the graph went away?? And now not even within 21 days…but?.when available?? So…guess we’ll keep hanging on.. Lol… I’ll post as well when my status changes…thanks for answering?

      • I filed my return on Jan. 26 and as of Feb.14 my return was approved from being in pending status for day and days … On Feb. 15th my refund showed that it was not only approved but that I should be receiving it before March 6, now I don’t know if anybody else taxes has been showing with the calendar and the due but mine did and I am very thankful .. Also it was another part that asked when you might expect it and it told me the earliest Feb. 24 if this help anyone !!

      • Hi Paul…..well some good news for me! Yea!!! WMR says approved, lights graphic back up…and dep. date of Feb. 22nd!
        Hopefully yours updated last night as all…. 🙂
        DCL

      • Paul – any DD date as of yet. I am still in refund received/accepted mode and havent moved an inch. Pls let me know when you get it. Have you check your bank lately?

  22. I just checked again @ 6:02 AM ET still processing, I filed a 1040EZ simple accepted 1/27/2013 this is taken too long compared to other years.
    Is anyone else in this situation???

  23. well I just went on line to chat with a rep, and after waiting for 10mins the rep types the typical hello how can i help, asks for my email address, then the screen says session timed out. what a joke TT!

  24. Why have we not heard anything on our refund status yet? we filled them 2 weeks ago my Daughter filled hers at the same time we did and she has her refunds already.

  25. filed abut a week and a half ago. The state accepted mine the next day. The federal has still not shown as accepted. Are this years delays that extreme.

  26. Update to everyone….filed an 8863 and have been pending since the 26th. Taxes were accepted with the IRS TODAY at 10:30 am!! Hope everyone else has good luck also. I also checked the WMR site and it is showing progress on the IRS refund chart.

    • Cynthia, I also filed an 8863 form or Jan 30. I received an accepted email today around 2pm, but I am just wondering how long it will take to APPROVE and get DD date?? Have you heard about how long this is taking? I know the irs says within 21 days, I am just hoping sooner!

      • Hi Can’t wait…so far..the 3 returns I did…took, 15 days on one, SIX days on another, and mine will take 12 days…all from IRS acceptance to deposit date… Hope this helps..
        DCL

  27. I truly can’t believe the whining that is going on here. This is what’s wrong in America. You have the ability to adjust your withholdings so that you aren’t expdcting a refund. You should also have the ability to budget so you aren’t dying or counting on a refund to make ends meet. You all expect this stuff to happen immediately. Everyone complains, but doesn’t spend 5 minutes reading other’s posts and answers from turbotax. Then, on the magical day, you all expect your refunds at 12:01am, 1 minute after your return is accepted. Let’s get real. I read your posts and the levels of education baffle me. Where are you people going to school? They accept papers you write with this same unprofesional dialect? Maybe a faster answer to your money worries lies in asking for a refund from your educators. Most of you appear to have not learned a thing.

    • Ben you don’t know what a person needs there money for! Know I’m not one of the ones on here all upset but u know what a person has going on. I know myself have school books I need to get either way I’m ok. To be honest Turbo tax shouldn’t have opened up as early as they did a lot of this could’ve been avoided.

      • Nell, You should read those books. Your english is horrible. So many are blaming TT for this when it’s not their fault. The day the IRS starts accepting returns, people expect their return to be at the front of the line, with the IRS essentially trading a return for a refund check. It doesn’t work that way. TT opening when they did has nothing to do with this. They allowed people to prepare their returns as early as possible. It would not change the wait period.

      • Ben I’m with you…people do your research, check the tax laws and stop living pay check to pay check. Ben is right you have the option to adjust your exemptions so YOU are not waiting on the lump sum of money at the beginning of the year!

    • Ben, Whining? Taxpayers Can not adjust their withholding as you suggest. The Federal Government mandates that Employers Take the taxpayers money for government use, These funds are in effect STOLEN by the government. Talk about budgeting, When was the last Budget passed by the US Senate? Taxpayers have every right to be angry with how this government has little regard for money earned by taxpayers. What we need is a Fundamental Transformation of Government.

      • Jackson, you are wrong. You are legally able to use the W-4 form to make adjustments to your withholdings, to prevent an excessive refund. As I recall, TT even offers this, for free, after you have completed your returns. This isn’t theft. You overpaid, whether intentionally or accidentally. As to whether or not we need a new Congress, you and I may actually agree on that. But, are those that don’t budget for themselves any better than Congress? Let’s stay on subject here.

      • Scott, You are in retirement and are in a rush for your tax refund? See my suggestions below.

        My point is, people have to be patient. people nee to learn laws. People need to understand that there will be delays in life. Most importantly, people need to BUDGET! Plan for unexpected expenses!

  28. they are all liars told i filed on 1/26 got email about education credit. called irs today and was told i was rejected. turbotax says no it was sent on 1/28 i give up!!!

  29. I filed on Jan. 31st (I’ve already received refund from State) … TT is supposed to file with IRS TODAY, but have no offical word yet. What I truly don’t appreciate is being charged weeks ago for a service I have yet to receive. I’ve been a LONG TIME customer with TT. I have a feeling many of us will go elsewhere next tax season. I understand the bottleneck is with the Feds, but TT should’ve done a much better job communicating this with their customers.

  30. fianlly my taxes were accepted but the message said 10 to 21 days before I get my direct depost I really hope its not another 3 weeks

    • Rick I called this morning and was told its 10-21 days after they received it at the IRS not the the date revived by TT … I hope money comes soon 🙂

      • Update – my return was accepted this morning at 10:30am – checked the WMR site and it already shows on the chart as accepted. I had 8863. No DD date as of yet.

    • Hi,
      TurboTax did start submitting tax returns with form 8863 on 2/14 when the IRS could begin accepting them.
      Thank you,
      Lisa Greene-Lewis

      • I filed form 8863 and my tax filing should have been sent to the IRS and TurboTax states you will be notified in 24-48 hours which is not true. So what is the hold up?

  31. My return was efiled on 2/8 and is still pending. I am worried because it states your return should be accepted or returned within 48 hours. I see there was a hold up for and education credit, but I do not have that form on my return. In my return I used schedule A and E, forms 8812, 8582, 2106-ez, 8283 and 4562. Is there a problem with any of these forms, and if so, where can I find information on it. Thanks

  32. So, I contacted TT with the online chat, and talked to Ryan P. He checked for me and told me that my E-file was sent this morning and the IRS has recieved it. but it wont show on the website up to 48 hours. but then he said this.

    Yes it indacates that they have, your status should be changing within the next 48 hours, if your lucky you may get an email from the IRS later today

  33. This is crazy…I thought TT was going to send our info over to the IRS today. TURBOTAX why am I STILL pending? I need an answer please.

  34. Just want to know if the returns with education credits have already started to be submitted to the IRS. Checked my status and it is still pending….thanks in advance for the response.

    • Gerald, the IRS has until August to process your return. Add 3 and one half months to April 15th. That’s how long you have to pay, 3.5 months. If, after thier 3.5 month period, they haven’t paid something that is rightfully yours, and was filed by the April 15th deadline, you WOULD get interest. Now, get educated.

  35. OK TODAY IS JANUARY 14TH . IRS IS SUPPOSED TO BE ACCEPTING EDUCATION CREDITS TODAY. HOW MUCH LONGER WILL I REMAIN IN THE PENDING STATUS? I FILED ON FEB. 1ST.

  36. I submitted my return on Feb 9th and the only info I can find is that I will be notified in 24 to 48 hours from time of submission….well….there are hundreds of people right here on this post with the same problem…so how many TT clients are there in all, with this concern, thousands tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands…and no definitive response from TT. It shows what low esteem they hold their clients, extremely disappointing…TT – do you have anything to say???????????????????????

  37. I filed my taxes on January 28th. I realize that I am part of the Education Credit group. Does anyone know when or if the IRS will start excepting today? I was told Febrary 14th would be the day….STILL pending….STILL waiting.

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