How long will my refund be in review?

Asked by: Kayden Walsh  |  Last update: October 8, 2026
Score: 4.8/5 (17 votes)

Most tax refunds are processed and issued within 21 days for e-filed returns, while mailed returns can take 6 weeks or more. If your refund is "in review" or delayed, it may take 45 to 180 days, depending on the complexity of the issues, such as errors, corrections, or identity verification.

How long does it take for the IRS to review your refund?

Processing your refund usually takes: Up to 21 days for an e-filed return. 6 weeks or more for returns sent by mail. Longer if your return needs corrections or extra review.

How long does it take to review a refund?

Most federal tax refunds are issued within 21 days, but some may take longer if the return requires additional review. Once the IRS has accepted your return, TurboTax can't provide updates on where your refund is at. If your federal refund is late, follow these steps: Check the IRS Where's My Refund?

Can I speed up my IRS refund review?

What should I do? Request an expedited refund by calling the IRS at 800-829-1040 (TTY/TDD 800-829-4059). Request a manual refund expedited to you.

What does it mean if the IRS is reviewing my refund?

Why is my return being reviewed? (updated Aug. 7, 2024) While we accept most tax returns as filed, we select some for review. The IRS reviews some federal tax returns to determine if income, expenses, and credits are reported accurately.

Refund Status: Your Tax Return is Still Being Processed| What to do if it's more than 21 days?

45 related questions found

How long will my return be under review?

If the IRS is reviewing your return, it may have questions about your wages and withholding, or credits or expenses shown on your tax return. The review process could take anywhere from 45 to 180 days, depending on the number and types of issues the IRS is reviewing.

What triggers an IRS refund review?

The IRS uses a combination of automated and human processes to select which tax returns to audit. Not reporting all of your income is an easy-to-avoid red flag that can lead to an audit. Taking excessive business tax deductions and mixing business and personal expenses can lead to an audit.

What are common reasons for IRS reviews?

Common IRS audit triggers

  • Making math errors.
  • Failing to report income.
  • Claiming too many charitable donations.
  • Reporting too many losses on a Schedule C.
  • Deducting too many business expenses.
  • Claiming a home office deduction.
  • Using nice, neat, round numbers.

What happens after a 60 day review on the IRS?

Once we finish our review, we may send your refund, ask for additional information, or deny all or part of your refund. If you don't agree with the denial, you'll have an opportunity to appeal. If you haven't received your refund or heard from us after 60 days, you can call us at the number listed above.

Why is it taking so long to review my tax return?

Errors in your tax return calculations can cause delays as the IRS may need to correct them. A mismatch between your Social Security Number and the records can significantly delay your refund. Filing your tax return too early or too late can lead to delays due to IRS system updates or high processing volumes.

What's the longest a refund can take?

Key takeaways. Most people receive refunds within three weeks if they e-file and choose direct deposit; paper returns can take six weeks or more. Filing accurately — especially when claiming credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit— helps prevent refund delays.

How do you know if your refund is not approved?

Use the IRS Where's My Refund tool or the IRS2Go mobile app to check your refund online. This is the fastest and easiest way to track your refund. The systems are updated once every 24 hours. You can contact the IRS to check on the status of your refund.

How long does a refund review take?

– Receiving a paper refund check in the mail may take longer than choosing direct deposit. Most e-filed returns are processed within 21 days. – Paper-filed returns generally take 6 to 8 weeks for the IRS to process and send your refund.

How will I know if my refund is flagged?

Taxpayers whose tax returns have been flagged for possible identity theft 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.

What if it has been over 21 days and still no refund?

If you're still waiting on your tax refund, it's possible that your tax return is taking longer for the IRS to process because it requires additional review. There are several reasons why your tax return may be delayed: Errors such as an incomplete filing status. Missing information.

Why is my refund still being reviewed?

Why is my return being reviewed? We select some returns to review so we can determine whether income, expenses, and credits are reported correctly. This doesn't mean you made an error or were dishonest.

What is the maximum time for refund processing?

Usually, it takes 4-5 weeks for the refund to be credited to the account of the taxpayer. However, if refund is not received during this duration, the taxpayer must check for intimation regarding discrepancies in ITR; check email for any notification from the IT department regarding the refund.

How long does the IRS have to complete a review?

Legal answer: Three years

Technically, except in cases of fraud or a back tax return, the IRS has three years from the date you filed your return (or April 15, whichever is later) to charge you (or, “assess”) additional taxes. This three-year timeframe is called the assessment statute of limitations.

What does refund reviewed mean?

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.

Why did my tax return get selected for review?

Ultimately, the IRS selects returns for audit because the agency suspects that, due to understatements of income or overstatements of deductions, the taxpayer has not correctly reported their tax due. If a taxpayer is selected for audit, the IRS will send notice by mail.

How long does it take to get a tax refund after review?

According to the IRS, most refunds are funded within 21 days of filing. However, you may receive your refund at a different time depending on how you choose to receive it or if IRS finds issues with accuracy, such as reconciling the amount of stimulus payment or advanced child tax credit received in 2021.

Why is the IRS taking so long to review my refund?

Errors on or Incomplete Tax Returns: Your refund may be delayed for something as simple as a forgotten signature, mathematical errors or if the income reported by you doesn't match what your employer or other third-party payers have reported.

What is the difference between an audit and review?

The report after a review is not considered to provide a professional opinion about the nonprofit's financial statements as a whole. The key difference between an audit and a review is that conducting an audit requires the auditor to obtain independent confirmation or verification of the financial information examined.