How long does it take for the IRS to accept your return 2021?

Asked by: Lenore Cormier I  |  Last update: August 23, 2023
Score: 4.2/5 (35 votes)

When you e-file, it typically takes 24 to 48 hours for the IRS to accept your return. Once your return is accepted, you are on the IRS' refund timetable. The IRS typically issues refunds in less than 21 days after your e-filed return is accepted.

Why is the IRS taking so long to process my 2021 refund?

Things that can delay a refund:

The return has a claim filed for an earned income tax credit, additional child tax credit, or includes a Form 8379, Injured Spouse AllocationPDF. The time it takes a taxpayer's bank or credit union to post the refund to the taxpayer's account.

How long does it take IRS to process 2021?

In general, the IRS issues refunds within a few weeks to a month. Paper returns take longer than electronically filed returns, even if there are no mistakes or issues. Before the pandemic, someone who filed a return by paper might wait four weeks to six weeks for a refund.

How long does it take for refund to get approved 2021?

We issue most refunds in less than 21 calendar days. However, if you filed on paper and are expecting a refund, it could take six months or more to process your return. Where's My Refund?

When did the IRS accept returns 2021?

Individual 2021 tax returns begin being accepted and processing begins. January 28: Earned Income Tax Credit Awareness Day to raise awareness of valuable tax credits available to many people – including the option to use prior-year income to qualify.

How long does it take for the IRS to accept your return 2020?

27 related questions found

What is the earliest the IRS will accept tax returns?

Each year, the IRS issues a statement in early January with the first day to file taxes. Typically, the official date when you can file taxes falls in mid to late January. January 2021 update: The IRS announced it will start processing tax returns Feb. 12.

Are 2021 tax refunds delayed?

Taxpayers face "unprecedented" delays getting their refunds, IRS watchdog says. The Internal Revenue Service is facing an even bigger backlog for this tax season than it did a year ago, with delays creating "unprecedented financial difficulties" for taxpayers, according to a report released Wednesday.

How long after IRS accepts your return is it approved?

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.

How do I know if IRS received my tax return 2021?

Find out if Your Tax Return Was Submitted
  1. Using the IRS Where's My Refund tool.
  2. Viewing your IRS account information.
  3. Calling the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 (Wait times to speak to a representative may be long.)
  4. Looking for emails or status updates from your e-filing website or software.

How long after tax return is accepted?

Once your return is accepted, you are on the IRS' refund timetable. The IRS typically issues refunds in less than 21 days after your e-filed return is accepted. You can use the IRS Where's My Refund? tool or call the IRS at 800-829-1954 to check on the status of your refund, beginning 24 hours after you e-file.

How far behind is the IRS in processing returns?

Over the past year, refund delays on paper-filed returns have generally exceeded six months, with delays of 10 months or more common for many taxpayers.

Why is my tax return not approved yet?

Reasons why you haven't received your refund can range from simple math errors on your return to identity theft and tax fraud. Or it might simply mean an unusually high processing volume at the IRS.

Why have I not received my 2021 refund?

If you haven't received your tax refund after at least 21 days of filing online or six weeks of mailing your paper return, go to a local IRS office or call the federal agency (check out our list of IRS phone numbers that could get you help faster).

Why are 2022 refunds taking so long?

The COVID-19 pandemic, a backlog of returns from last year and a worker shortage may add up to long delays. PROCTORVILLE, Ohio (WSAZ) - According to the IRS, as of April 29, 2022, there were more than 9.6 million unprocessed individual returns which include returns received before 2022, and new tax year 2021 returns.

What day of the week does the IRS deposit refunds 2021?

IRS Refund Schedule for Direct Deposits and Check Refunds

They now issue refunds every business day, Monday through Friday (except holidays). Due to changes in the IRS auditing system, they no longer release a full schedule as they did in previous years.

How do I know if the IRS is processing my return?

Tracking the status of a tax refund is easy with the Where's My Refund? tool. It's available anytime on IRS.gov or through the IRS2Go App. Taxpayers can start checking their refund status within 24 hours after an e-filed return is received.

How do I know if my taxes were approved?

To check the status of your federal tax return go to Where's My Refund? at IRS.gov. It will say 'approved' if it is approved. Or go to our e-file status lookup tool to get your current status (pending, accepted, or rejected).

What does congratulations the IRS has accepted your return mean?

When you receive confirmation that the IRS accepted your return, it means that they have reviewed your return, and it has passed their initial inspection. They verify your personal information and other basic items, like if your dependents have already been claimed by someone else.

Can the IRS audit you after they accepted your return?

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 many people are still waiting on their 2021 tax return?

But the IRS is still processing paper returns and has an "unprecedented" backlog of over 21 million returns, as well as returns with suspected errors or identity theft to get through, reports Erin Collins, the national taxpayer advocate.

When can I file my 2020 taxes in 2021?

If you're wondering when you can file your 2021 tax return, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) typically starts accepting tax returns in mid- to late-January each year. Due to COVID-19, the IRS didn't start accepting 2020 tax returns until February 12, 2021.

Why can't I Efile my 2021 taxes?

Returns can't be e-filed if they: Contain overrides. Have no taxable income. Contain a W-2 where box 1 is blank or the box 16 amount is greater than the box 1 amount.

When can I file my 2021 taxes in 2022?

2022 Tax Deadlines for Filing 2021 Returns. The IRS started accepting and processing tax returns for the current tax season from Monday, Jan. 24, 2022. The tax filing deadline is Monday, April 18, 2022.

Is refund accepted the same as approved?

Once your return has been “Accepted” 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.