Can your refund be denied if accepted?

Asked by: Mr. Liam Treutel  |  Last update: November 16, 2025
Score: 4.7/5 (54 votes)

Once your return is accepted by the IRS, it can't be rejected. If anything, they may send a letter or notice requesting additional support if needed, or choose to review the return. In either case you will receive a letter or notice.

Can your refund be 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. Therefore, the taxpayer must wait to see if more action is required.

Can taxes be rejected if they are accepted?

The return was already accepted – The IRS will reject your return if they previously accepted a return with your Social Security number (SSN) or taxpayer identification number (TIN). If this happens, it could be a sign of fraud or identity theft.

Can your refund amount change after being accepted?

If we made any changes to your tax return, your refund amount may change. You'll receive a letter in the mail (Notice of Tax Return Change ) with the details of the changes and the updated refund amount. Common changes include: Withholding or payments don't match our records.

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

The IRS issues most refunds in fewer than 21 days for taxpayers who file electronically and choose direct deposit. However, some returns have errors or need more review and may take longer to process.

How do I know if my refund will be approved

21 related questions found

How will I know when the IRS accepted my 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.

Why is my accepted refund taking so long?

What's Taking So Long to Receive Refunds? If you don't receive your refund in 21 days, your tax return might need further review. This may happen if your return is incomplete or incorrect. The IRS may send you instructions through the mail if it needs additional information to process your return.

Can your refund be flagged after being 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.

How do you know if your tax refund was denied?

If you already filed a formal claim for refund, you may receive a letter from us approving or denying your claim. If you have not received a letter, and it has been more than 6 months, your claim for refund is deemed denied.

What comes after refund 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.

Is it good if my tax return was accepted?

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 would you get denied for a refund advance?

You need better credit.

For your tax refund advance to cover the loan, it must be substantial enough after factoring in interest rates, fees, and tax preparation expenses.

What if the IRS does not approve a refund?

Remember, if your original return was filed by the due date and was rejected, there's no need for you to worry. The IRS considers your return on time as long as you made the corrections and file it again within five business days.

Can taxes be rejected after being accepted?

Once your return is accepted by the IRS, it can't be rejected. If anything, they may send a letter or notice requesting additional support if needed.

Should I be worried if my refund is still being processed?

If your refund status used to be your tax return is still being processed, but now the status says it is being processed, the IRS may have detected an issue in your tax return that could cause a delay in the release of your tax refund.

How do I know if my tax return has been flagged?

If the IRS decides that your return merits a second glance, you'll be issued a CP05 Notice. This notice lets you know that your return is being reviewed to verify any or all of the following: Your income. Your tax withholding.

What if my return is accepted but no refund?

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.

Why would a refund be declined?

This could be due to a variety of reasons, such as the cardholder closing the account or the card expiring. In this case, the cardholder's payment method cannot be refunded. Another common reason for a Refund decline is fraud.

How long does it take for IRS to accept or reject returns?

Generally, once your return is e-filed you will receive an acknowledgement email within 48 hours. This email will let you know if your return was accepted or rejected. Once the IRS has accepted your return, the amount of time that it will take to actually receive a refund may vary.

Can I fix my return after it's been accepted?

If you need to make a change or adjustment on a return already filed, you can file an amended return. Use Form 1040-X, Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return, and follow the instructions.

What raises red flags with the IRS?

Another easily avoidable audit red flag is rounding or estimating dollar amounts on your tax return. Say, for instance, you round $403 of tip income to $400, $847 of student loan interest to $850, and $97 of medical expenses to $100. The IRS is going to see all those nice round numbers and think you're making them up.

How long after accepted is refund 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.

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

Why does Turbo tax say my federal refund was accepted march 7th if The IRS page says still processing? TurboTax and the IRS are just not using the same verbiage. TurboTax is telling you that the IRS accepted your return for processing. Now the IRS has it, and will process it until they approve of your refund.

Should I be worried if my tax return is under review?

When your taxes are under review, it's normal to wonder if you'll still get your refund. The answer is, it depends. If your information checks out, your refund will be processed. If there's a discrepancy, and you've incorrectly reported, you may end up owing instead of receiving a refund.