What are the three stages of Where's My refund?

Asked by: Lauretta Hermann  |  Last update: May 26, 2025
Score: 4.8/5 (8 votes)

Where's My Refund? has a new look this year. The tool includes a tracker that displays progress through 3 stages: (1) Return Received, (2) Refund Approved and (3) Refund Sent.

What are the stages of Where's My refund?

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.

What are the 3 steps for IRS refund?

Taxpayers can check "Where's My Refund?" within 24 hours after the IRS has received their e-filed return or four weeks after receipt of a mailed paper return. "Where's My Refund?" has a tracker that displays progress through three stages: (1) Return Received, (2) Refund Approved, and (3) Refund Sent.

What are the stages of tax return process?

You can check the status of your return with the IRS Where's My Refund tool 24 hours after e-filing or four weeks after mailing it. The tracker shows three stages: return received (when the IRS begins processing it), refund approved and refund sent.

What is the status of refund under processing?

Refund processing by the tax department starts only after the return is e-verified by the taxpayer. Usually, it takes 4-5 weeks for the refund to be credited to the account of the taxpayer.

Where's My Refund - Defense Tax Group

32 related questions found

What is the path message on Where's my refund?

What does the PATH Act mean for my tax refund? The PATH Act mandates that IRS refunds be issued on tax returns claiming the EITC or ACTC after February 14. The additional time helps the IRS stop fraudulent refunds from being issued to identity thieves and fraudulent claims with fabricated wages and withholdings.

How long after IRS says processing will I get my refund?

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.

What are the 3 tax filing statuses?

List the five filing statuses. (single, married filing jointly, married filing separately, head of household, and qualifying surviving spouse. Which taxpayers pay income tax at the highest rates and the lowest rates? (The highest tax rates apply to taxpayers who use the married filing separately filing status.

Why has my refund been accepted but not approved?

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.

In what order are tax returns processed?

We generally process paper returns where a refund is expected before all other returns.

What time does Where's My refund update?

The IRS updates the tool once a day, usually overnight, so there's no need to check more often. This prevents individuals from having to contact the IRS for updates unless the tool requests them to call.

How long after IRS sends a refund to bank will I get it?

If you e-filed your return and chose direct deposit to receive your refund, you'll usually receive your refund in 8-15 days. However, you should allow an extra 1-5 business days for your bank to process the funds. If you chose the Refund Transfer option, the refund will come from the Axos Bank®, not the IRS.

What day of the week are tax returns deposited?

Day of the week for IRS refund deposits

The IRS typically processes tax refunds and executes direct deposit transactions within 21 days after accepting your tax return. It's common for the IRS to issue them on business days, from Monday through Friday.

What are the 3 stages of IRS refund?

Where's My Refund? has a new look this year. The tool includes a tracker that displays progress through 3 stages: (1) Return Received, (2) Refund Approved and (3) Refund Sent.

How do you know if your refund status is approved?

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.

How do I know if my return is processed?

Step 1: Go to the e-Filing portal homepage. Step 2: Click Income Tax Return (ITR) Status. Step 3: On the Income Tax Return (ITR) Status page, enter your acknowledgement number and a valid mobile number and click Continue.

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.

How long can the IRS hold your refund for review?

See our Held or Stopped Refund page or our video for more information. If the IRS is reviewing your return, the review process could take anywhere from 45 to 180 days, depending on the number and types of issues the IRS is reviewing. Follow these steps if you know you made a mistake, before the IRS contacts you.

Is still being processed bad?

If their refund status changes from “being processed” status to “still being processed” status, the issue detected in the tax forms was likely resolved and the refund may be released when it is approved for a future cycle date.

Which filing status gives the biggest refund?

Married filing jointly is the most common filing status for married couples. This status has the highest standard deduction and some of the most beneficial tax rate brackets. You file together and report combined income, along with your combined deductions and qualifying credits on the same return.

What filing status withholds the most?

In general, married couples who file their taxes jointly will have less withheld from their paychecks than single filers.

How many dependents can you claim on taxes?

Although there are limits to specific dependent credits, there's no maximum number of dependent exemptions you can claim. If a person meets the requirements for a qualifying child or relative, you can claim them as a dependent. You can do this regardless of your filing status.

Why isn't my tax return showing up on Where's my refund?

It takes at least 24 hours after your e-filed return has been accepted by the IRS for your refund information to show up on the IRS system. If you filed Form 8379, Injured Spouse Allocation, with your tax return, it can take 11 weeks before your tax return status is available on the IRS system.

How many years can you file back taxes?

Claim a refund

If you are due a refund for withholding or estimated taxes, you must file your return to claim it within 3 years of the return due date. The same rule applies to a right to claim tax credits such as the Earned Income Credit.

How long does it take to get a refund after I verified my identity 5071c?

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.