Why hasn't my refund been approved?

Asked by: Jay Macejkovic  |  Last update: April 20, 2026
Score: 4.7/5 (11 votes)

An incomplete return, an inaccurate return, an amended return, tax fraud, claiming tax credits, owing certain debts for which the government can take part or all of your refund, and sending your refund to the wrong bank due to an incorrect routing number are all reasons that a tax refund can be delayed.

Why is it taking so long for my refund to be approved?

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. Normally, you'll receive IRS Letter CP88 indicating that your refund is frozen until the IRS completes the audit.

Why has the IRS still not approved my refund?

Where's My Refund has the latest information on your return. If you don't have internet, call the automated refund hotline at 800-829-1954 for a current-year refund or 866-464-2050 for an amended return. For prior-year refunds, check Where's My Refund. We can't give you the refund status over the phone.

How long does it take for a refund to go to approved?

If you file your return electronically, your refund should be issued in less than three weeks, even faster when you choose direct deposit. You can have a refund check mailed to you, or you may be able to have your refund deposited directly into your bank account.

How long does it take for the IRS to approve a return?

Even though the IRS issues most refunds in less than 21 days, it's possible your tax return may require additional review that may take longer to process.

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

21 related questions found

What happens if the IRS doesn't approve your return?

Remember, if your original return was filed by the due date and was rejected, there's no need for you to worry. The IRS considers your return on time as long as you made the corrections and file it again within five business days.

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.

How do I know if my refund will be 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.

What if my tax return is still being processed?

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.

What time are refunds approved?

While the IRS typically takes about 21 days to process a tax refund from the time a return is accepted, each state has its own procedures that can affect the timeline for issuing refunds. Most states allow you to check the status of your state tax refund by visiting your state's Department of Revenue website.

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.

Should I be worried if my refund is delayed?

Your refund may be delayed for several reasons. In some cases, you'll just get the money later than expected. In others, the IRS may send you a letter asking for additional information before it can finish processing your return and send your refund.

Why is my refund not approved yet in 2024?

Many different factors may affect the timing of refund delivery: The tax return has errors, requires additional review or is incomplete.

Why is my refund not saying approved?

Common Reasons For Tax Refund Delays

The tax return was incomplete. The tax return requires further review. The taxpayer's account is connected to identity theft or tax fraud. The IRS is informed that the taxpayer's bank account was flagged for suspicious activity.

Should I be worried if my tax return is under review?

When your taxes are under review, it's normal to wonder if you'll still get your refund. The answer is, it depends. If your information checks out, your refund will be processed. If there's a discrepancy, and you've incorrectly reported, you may end up owing instead of receiving a refund.

Does it really take 9 weeks after identity verification to get a refund in 2024?

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.

Can you sue the IRS for holding your refund?

Generally, if you fully paid the tax and the IRS denies your tax refund claim, or if the IRS takes no action on the claim within six months, then you may file a refund suit. You can file a suit in a United States District Court or the United States Court of Federal Claims.

Why is my tax return still 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 after your refund is accepted will it be 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.

How long does it take IRS to send a refund rejected by bank?

If your bank rejected your tax refund, it can take up to 5 business days for the IRS to receive the funds back. Once they receive the funds they will send you a paper check. This can take up to 10 business days for you to receive it.

What is the child tax credit for 2024 IRS?

If you have a child, you may be eligible for the Child Tax Credit. For 2024, the credit is up to $2,000 per qualifying child.

Why is my refund taking longer to approve?

To approve your return, the IRS must verify your personal information and match your return to its own records. This can be delayed if you've included inaccurate information on your return. Also note that the IRS will notify you when your tax return has been accepted.

How do you get the IRS to release your refund?

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 refund freeze mean?

Webthe 810 refund freeze, also known as the tc 810 hold, is a temporary delay of your tax refund. The 810 code is placed on your transcript by the irs to halt release of your. Webthe 810 freeze overrides refund codes like 846 to prevent release of funds.