What does it mean if your refund was accepted?

Asked by: Claudine Ortiz  |  Last update: April 14, 2023
Score: 4.1/5 (16 votes)

What does it mean when my tax return is accepted? 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.

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

The IRS issues more than 9 out of 10 refunds in less than 21 days. However, it's possible your tax return may require additional review and take longer.

Does accepted tax return mean approved?

Not yet. Accepted means your tax return is now in the government's hands and has passed the initial inspection (your verification info is correct, dependents haven't already been claimed by someone else, etc.). After acceptance, the next step is for the government to approve your refund.

What happens after your refund is accepted?

Once that part's done, the government approves your refund, which means it's ready to be deposited or sent. It can take up to 21 calendar days after acceptance for the IRS to issue your refund, although most refunds go more quickly than that, while a small handful may take a bit longer.

Can my tax refund be rejected after being accepted?

No. 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. The IRS operations are limited during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Does accepted mean my refund is approved?

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What's the difference between accepted and approved IRS?

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.

How do I know if my refund was 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).

Is it good if the IRS accepts your return?

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.

Is it 21 days from accepted or approved?

Once accepted, it can take anywhere from a few days to 3 weeks (21 days) to go from acceptance to approval, and this timeframe is unrelated to how, where, or when you filed, nor is it connected to how quickly you got your refund last year. If your refund is still processing, it has not been approved.

What day of the week does IRS deposit refunds?

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 long does it take for IRS to reject a return?

After tax filing begins, e-filed returns generally sit in Pending status for 24-48 hours before being reported back as either Accepted or Rejected.

What days do the IRS deposit refunds?

The following list shows the filed-by date on the left, followed by the date by which the tax refund will be sent.
  • February 7 - February 18.
  • February 14 - February 25.
  • February 21 - March 4.
  • February 28 - March 11.
  • March 7 - March 18.
  • March 14 - March 25.
  • March 21 - April 1.
  • March 28 - April 8.

How do I know if my refund was rejected?

You can reach them by calling: IRS — 800-829-1040.

Why is it taking so long for my taxes to be accepted?

The agency is still trying to catch up on a backlog because of the pandemic. “It's taking us longer than normal to process mailed correspondence and more than 21 days to issue refunds for certain mailed and e-filed 2020 tax returns that require review,” the agency said.

Has my return been accepted?

The most convenient way to check on a tax refund is by using the Where's My Refund? tool. Taxpayers can start checking their refund status within 24 hours after an e-filed return is received. The tool also provides a personalized refund date after the return is processed and a refund is approved.

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.

What reasons would the IRS reject your return?

Common Causes & Rejection Codes
  • Mismatched Personal Information. ...
  • Previously Accepted Return. ...
  • Dependent Claimed On Another Return. ...
  • Dependent Files Own Return. ...
  • Electronic Signature Mismatch. ...
  • EIN Does Not Match.

How soon can I get my 2021 tax refund?

Overall, the IRS anticipates most taxpayers will receive their refund within 21 days of when they file electronically if they choose direct deposit and there are no issues with their tax return. The IRS urges taxpayers and tax professionals to file electronically.

Can my tax refund be deposited on a Sunday?

Most are closed on Sunday so it is rare to have any deposit on a Sunday. Once your refund is approved you will see a deposit date by visiting the Where's my refund website here, https://www.irs.gov/refunds .

What does it mean when IRS says your refund is being processed 2021?

This means the IRS has your tax return and is processing it. Your personalized refund date will be available as soon as the IRS finishes processing your return and confirms that your refund has been approved. Most refunds are issued in less than 21 days.

Do you usually get your state or federal refund first?

Federal has always come first and the state return usually a week or two after. Did something go wrong? It is typically 21 days from when the return was accepted. However, if the return contained refundable additional child tax credits or the earned income tax credit, this 21-day date may not be accurate.

What time does IRS direct deposit hit?

Normally they sent to your bank between 12am and 1am. That does not mean it will go directly into your bank account. You bank can take up to 5 days to deposit it but normally it only takes a few hours.

What time does Where's my refund update?

The tool is updated once a day, usually overnight, and gives taxpayers a projected refund issuance date as soon as it's approved. It's also one of the most popular online features available from IRS. The Where's My Refund? tool was developed in 2002 and was used by taxpayers more than 776 million times in 2021.

Will my refund be deposited on the day it says?

They tend to go out in the early morning (usually around 6am EST), so if it has not been deposited to your account by early morning it generally will not be deposited that day. When the status of your refund is Refund Sent, it means the IRS has sent your refund to your financial institution for direct deposit.