What does it mean when it says your refund is pending?

Asked by: Miss Iliana Simonis III  |  Last update: October 7, 2025
Score: 5/5 (72 votes)

by TurboTax• 772• Updated 2 weeks ago Pending means that your e-filed return is on its way and that the government hasn't accepted or rejected it yet. If you e-filed your return before the IRS starts processing returns this year, it'll stay in pending status until then.

How long will my refund be pending?

To process your refund, it usually takes: Up to 21 days for an e-filed return. 4 weeks or more for amended returns and returns sent by mail. Longer if your return needs corrections or extra review.

What does it mean when my IRS payment says pending?

Your online tax account will indicate whether a payment attempt was rejected. If the payment is still listed as "Pending," check back after three more business days to see if the payment was returned or reversed. If it was, you can try submitting it again to avoid interest and penalties.

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.

Why is my tax refund still pending in my bank account?

The IRS can delay your tax refund until it completes any audits. This is most common when the IRS is conducting a mail audit on your EITC or ACTC return from a prior year.

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

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Why is a refund pending in my account?

If you have just requested a refund, it may take up to 72 hours for them to inform you whether it has been approved or rejected. If the refund has already been approved, it may take between 3 to 5 business days to reflect in your payment method. This is why it shows as pending for either of these reasons.

How long does a pending refund take to clear?

The process typically takes between 3–10 business days. Refunds can take so long to process because of factors such as: The merchant—How quickly the merchant responds to your request affects the timeline of your refund.

How will I know if my refund was not 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 long will my refund be under review?

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.

What raises red flags for the IRS?

Another easily avoidable audit red flag is rounding or estimating dollar amounts on your tax return. Say, for instance, you round $403 of tip income to $400, $847 of student loan interest to $850, and $97 of medical expenses to $100. The IRS is going to see all those nice round numbers and think you're making them up.

How long can a pending payment take?

Pending transactions are payments that would normally go into or out of your account within 7 days. When you use a debit card to pay for something, it reduces the available balance in your current account. Similarly, when you use a credit card to pay for something, it increases your available balance.

How long do pending payments take in the IRS?

Check or money order payments may take up to three weeks to appear. Debit or credit card payments will appear 1-2 days after your payment date.

How long does it take for a pending payment to be approved?

They can take anywhere from a few hours to five business days to clear, depending on the charge. Restaurants, hotels, and car rental companies often initially list charges as pending until the payment is fully processed.

How can I speed up my pending refund?

Request an expedited refund by calling the IRS at 800-829-1040 (TTY/TDD 800-829-4059).

Why does my IRS payment still say pending?

by TurboTax• 762• Updated 5 days ago. Pending means that your e-filed return is on its way and that the government hasn't accepted or rejected it yet. If you e-filed your return before the IRS starts processing returns this year, it'll stay in pending status until then.

How long before refund status is approved?

Most refunds will be issued in less than 21 days. You can start checking the status of your refund within 24 hours after you have e-filed your return. Refund information is updated on the IRS website once a day, overnight. Remember, the fastest way to get your refund is to e-file and choose direct deposit.

What's the longest the IRS can hold your refund?

The IRS is taking more than 21 days (and up to 90 to 120 days), to issue refunds for tax returns with the Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit. You should only contact the IRS if: It's been 21 days or more since you e-filed. Where's My Refund?

How long should it take for a refund to come through?

Credit card refunds usually take between three and seven days, but this can vary depending on the merchant, the billing cycle and your credit card provider. Depending on the merchant's policy, most will process a refund instantly, but some take a few extra days, depending on which business days the company operates.

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.

How long can the IRS hold your refund for review?

Delays can be due to issues like return errors, unpaid taxes, or old debts. Typically, simple returns take under 3 weeks, while complex ones might take 60-90 days. To make the process smoother, ensure accurate filing, settle any debts, and use IRS tools. If things get tricky, consider professional advice.

What are the five 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.

How do you tell if your taxes have been filed?

Other ways to check if your federal taxes were filed
  1. Call the IRS. Wait times to speak to a representative may be long. ...
  2. Look for email or status updates from your e-filing website or software.
  3. If you used USPS Certified Mail or another mail service with tracking, check with them to see if your return was delivered.

How many days does a pending deposit take?

Direct Deposits: Usually clear by the next business day. This rapid turnaround is crucial for businesses relying on timely payments. Check Deposits: Often take up to 2 business days. Checks require manual processing, which can add to the delay.

Can I spend money that is pending?

A pending transaction can place a hold on your account balance and count toward your credit limit until it is processed. That doesn't necessarily mean you can't use your credit card or bank account. But it can affect your available balance—or the funds you're able to access.

How to get pending money back?

Ask the merchant or retailer to reverse the charge, cancel the sale or release the hold for the confirmed amount. The sooner you contact the merchant, the more likely the pending transaction can be canceled. If you suspect fraud, skip the merchant and call your bank or card issuer first.