Can your refund be flagged after being accepted?

Asked by: Norbert Cummerata  |  Last update: July 17, 2025
Score: 4.8/5 (57 votes)

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.

How do you know if your tax refund was flagged?

Taxpayers whose tax returns have been flagged for possible IDT should receive one of the following letters: Letter 5071C, Potential Identity Theft during Original Processing with Online Option – Provides online and phone options and is issued most widely.

Can your refund be denied after being 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.

What happens after tax refund is accepted?

Expect the IRS to acknowledge your return within 24 to 48 hours. IRS Refund Timetable: Post-acceptance, the processing time typically unfolds on an IRS-determined schedule. Speedy Refund Delivery: The majority of refunds are dispatched within 21 days of e-file acceptance.

What to do if your tax return is flagged by the IRS

19 related questions found

What happens after IRS accepts refund?

The IRS refund timeline begins once your return has been accepted, which is usually within 24 to 48 hours of you filing your tax return. Once that happens, the amount of time it will take for you to receive your refund will depend on your filing method and chosen refund method, as you can see in the table below.

Does accepted mean my refund is approved?

by TurboTax• 132• Updated 2 weeks ago

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.

What comes after refund accepted?

Once your return has been “accepted,” its status will remain the same until it's been “approved.” This indicates it's been processed and that the IRS has approved the release of your refund.

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.

Is it good if IRS accepts your return?

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.

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.

How long does it take IRS to approve 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.

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

1) It is not a refund that has been accepted, but a tax return, i.e. your report. 2) Turbo Tax is telling you that IRS has accepted the return, i.e. they acknowledge that they have received it, and are now responsible for it. 3) IRS have not finished processing it.

Can you get audited after your 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.

How do I know if my refund will be intercepted?

BFS will send you a notice if an offset occurs. The notice will reflect the original refund amount, your offset amount, the agency receiving the payment, and the address and telephone number of the agency. BFS will notify the IRS of the amount taken from your refund once your refund date has passed.

What sends a red flag to 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.

Can my return be rejected if it was 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.

What happens after the IRS accept your return?

If you file a complete and accurate paper tax return, your refund should be issued in about six to eight weeks from the date IRS receives your return. If you file your return electronically, your refund should be issued in less than three weeks, even faster when you choose direct deposit.

Which of the following significantly increases your chance of being audited by the IRS?

High income

As you'd expect, the higher your income, the more likely you will get attention from the IRS as the IRS typically targets people making $500,000 or more at higher-than-average rates.

What's next after my tax refund was accepted?

Within approximately 2 days of acceptance, the IRS will process your tax refund. You should receive your tax refund from the IRS within 19 days* after acceptance. If you have not received it by this time, contact the IRS for assistance.

Which of the following is a common red flag that may trigger an IRS audit?

Unreported income.

If you fail to report the income, the IRS may uncover a discrepancy with the forms it receives. Be sure to provide your tax professional with all forms you receive.

Does it really take 9 weeks after identity verification to get a refund?

What happens after I successfully verify? We'll process your tax return. It may take up to 9 weeks to receive your refund or credit any overpayment to your account. However, if we find other problems, we'll contact you again and this may delay your refund.

What are the steps of tax return after accepted?

The stages of an IRS refund are: (1) Return Received, where the IRS acknowledges receipt of your return; (2) Return Reviewed, where the return is checked for accuracy; and (3) Refund Approved/Sent, where the refund amount is finalized and issued.

How do I know if the IRS accepted my tax 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.

Is approved and accepted the same thing?

You can accept absolutely anyone or any situation, agreement is not a requirement. Approval works in a completely different way. Approval stems from the idea that I condone, sanction, or endorse this thing you are doing. The idea of approval comes from a person that we attach some type of authority to.