When the IRS states your refund is "still being processed," it means your tax return has been received but requires additional review beyond the standard timeframe, often due to errors, missing information, or identity verification, rather than a simple, fast approval. While most refunds are issued within 21 days, this message typically indicates a delay, and you should watch for a letter from the IRS.
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.
Individual returns
Electronically filed Form 1040 returns are generally processed within 21 days.
You may call us toll-free at 800-829-1040, M - F, 7 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Your refund is still being processed because of errors, incomplete information, suspected identity theft, complex credits (like EITC/ACTC), or a backlog, requiring extra review beyond the typical 21 days, with status updates available on the IRS Where's My Refund tool. Common causes include math errors, missing signatures, mismatched info, or claiming certain credits that trigger extra scrutiny.
The IRS has no maximum time limit when it comes to processing tax refunds, but after 45 days, it is required to pay interest on your refund. In most cases, you can expect the IRS to issue your tax refund within 21 days of filing your tax return.
In progress – Processing. You may see this status at 2 stages of processing: We've received your tax return and started processing it. We've nearly finalised your tax return and a notice of assessment will issue soon (you will see an estimated assessment issue date by selecting the down arrow).
The IRS Where's My Refund tool updates once daily, usually overnight, so checking more often isn't necessary; you'll see status changes as your return moves from "Refund Received" to "Refund Approved" and then "Refund Sent," with most e-filed refunds issued within 21 days, but it can take longer if there are errors or extra review needed.
Income tax refund delays in 2025 (for the 2024 tax year) happen due to errors, fraud protection, claiming specific credits like EITC/ACTC (held until mid-Feb by law), missing info, or general IRS review, with increased scrutiny on identity theft and income mismatches leading to longer processing times. Common culprits include wrong SSNs, math errors, incomplete forms, and discrepancies with income reported by employers.
If your federal refund is late, follow these steps:
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.
The IRS issues refunds only on business days. However, some banks may post deposits on Saturdays if funds are received late on a Friday.
Be patient, and don't worry. If your tax return is correct, it's just a matter of explaining everything (and providing documentation) to the IRS.
How long does it take for the IRS to approve my refund? Here's what you can expect in terms of timing. IRS approval: The IRS works to review and approve refunds quickly and efficiently. In fact, historically, more than 9 out of 10 refunds are processed and approved within 21 days of e-file acceptance.
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.
The IRS $600 rule refers to a change in reporting requirements for third-party payment apps (like Venmo, PayPal) for taxable income from goods and services, where platforms must send a Form 1099-K if you receive over $600 in a year, intended to capture gig economy/side hustle income, though delays and phased implementation have adjusted the timeline, with current rules for 2024 using a higher threshold ($5,000) before fully phasing to $600 for future years, but remember all taxable income, regardless of form, must always be reported.
IRS systems are updated every 24 hours, usually overnight, and the same information is available on the Internet, the IRS2go smartphone app, or IRS toll-free lines.
To avoid long wait times, it is recommended that you only call the IRS if instructed to in the application process or you receive a notice or letter in the mail. Where's My Refund? is updated every 24 hours and is the best way to get your refund status.
The phrase "currently being processed" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to refer to a task or action that is in the process of being completed. For example, "The application is currently being processed and should be finished soon."
Topic 152 is a generic reference code notifying you that your return may require further review and could take longer than the typical 21 days. No additional steps are required.
It should say return accepted. It just means that they recieved your return, but it hasn't been processed. Refund approved means that your return has been processed and they approved your refund to be sent on the date shown.
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.
Refunds to debit cards tend to take between two and five business days, but it can take up to 30 days depending on the company issuing the refund.