Tax return reviews often take longer than the standard 21 days due to errors, missing information, or high-volume periods. Common delays include claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC), identity verification, or filing a paper return. The review process can take 45 to 180 days.
If the IRS is reviewing your return, it may have questions about your wages and withholding, or credits or expenses shown on your tax return. The review process could take anywhere from 45 to 180 days, depending on the number and types of issues the IRS is reviewing.
The normal turnaround time for the IRS to accept your return is 24-48 hours. However, due to the number of stockpiled returns, it may take a little bit longer as their system is overwhelmed with early filers. This also applies to why there may not be a status showing on the IRS Where's My Refund site.
Why is my return being reviewed? We select some returns to review so we can determine whether income, expenses, and credits are reported correctly. This doesn't mean you made an error or were dishonest.
The main 2025 tax refund delay reasons include errors or incomplete information on returns, claims for the Earned Income Tax Credit or Additional Child Tax Credit, identity verification processes, amended returns, and offsets for outstanding debts. Paper returns and bank processing times can also contribute to delays.
You generally shouldn't worry if your refund is "still being processed," as it means the IRS is working on it, but it might take longer than the typical 21 days due to common issues like errors, incomplete information, or claiming credits like the EITC/ACTC. Worry only becomes necessary if you receive an IRS letter requesting more information or if the "Where's My Refund?" tool shows a specific problem like fraud, but typically, it just means a longer wait, not no refund at all.
What should I do? Request an expedited refund by calling the IRS at 800-829-1040 (TTY/TDD 800-829-4059). Request a manual refund expedited to you.
The IRS uses a combination of automated and human processes to select which tax returns to audit. Not reporting all of your income is an easy-to-avoid red flag that can lead to an audit. Taking excessive business tax deductions and mixing business and personal expenses can lead to an audit.
Your refund
It may take up to 9 weeks to process your return after you verify it.
We could take up to 60 days to complete this review. Please don't contact us prior to 60 days from the date of this notice since we won't be able to provide you any additional information. You can check your refund status at www.irs.gov/refunds or the IRS2Go mobile app for smart phones.
If your tax return is under review, the IRS is examining it to ensure that it is accurate and in accordance with tax laws. They're checking to confirm that all the information you provided is correct and that there are no mistakes or missing details that could affect your tax bill or refund.
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 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.
Common IRS audit triggers
There's no strict maximum limit for how long the IRS can hold a refund, but they must pay interest after 45 days; while most e-filed returns take 21 days, returns needing extra review for errors, fraud, or certain credits (like EITC/ACTC) can take months (45-180+ days), and amended returns can take 8-16 weeks, with unfiled returns having an indefinite delay until filed.
Remember, the IRS does not initiate verification requests by email or phone. Only respond to verification requests if you have received a 5071C Letter.
Errors on or Incomplete Tax Returns: Your refund may be delayed for something as simple as a forgotten signature, mathematical errors or if the income reported by you doesn't match what your employer or other third-party payers have reported.
Most federal tax refunds are issued within 21 days, but some may take longer if the return requires additional review. Once the IRS has accepted your return, TurboTax can't provide updates on where your refund is at. If your federal refund is late, follow these steps: Check the IRS Where's My Refund?
Taxpayers whose tax returns have been flagged for possible identity theft should receive one of the following letters: Letter 5071C, Potential Identity Theft during Original Processing with Online Option – Provides online and phone options and is issued most widely.
Tax returns and refunds
Some tax returns need extra review for accuracy, completeness, and to protect taxpayers from fraud and identity theft. Returns that fall into this category can take longer to process. Disaster-related returns may take longer to process than tax returns not claiming disaster relief.
When taxpayers file their 2025 tax. returns in 2026, many will see larger refunds than in recent years. That's due to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), which reduced individual income taxes for 2025 by an estimated $129 billion. But because the IRS did not adjust withholding.