What is the difference between tax return ‘accepted’ and ‘approved’? (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between tax return ‘accepted’ and ‘approved’? ›

Accepted means your tax return was received and has passed initial inspection, such as correct Social Security number and correctly claimed dependents. It can take anywhere from a few days to three weeks for your return to go from acceptance to approval.

Even though we issue most refunds in less than 21 days, it's possible your refund may take longer. Also, remember to consider the time it takes for your financial institution to post the refund to your account or for you to receive it by mail.

This does not necessarily mean that your tax return has been approved, and it does not mean that you will receive a refund. Your return is marked as “accepted” usually within 24-48 hours of submitting it electronically. It will continue with this status until the IRS 'approves' it.

No, once the IRS accepts the return, it will not be rejected after. However, they may request additional information from you at any time. If you have received notice that the IRS accepted your return, you can be confident they have it, though that does not always mean they have processed it yet.

Once accepted, your tax return follows the IRS payment schedule, and only they have the status of its processing, whether you owe taxes or expect a refund. For electronic returns with direct deposit, IRS refunds typically arrive in bank accounts within 21 days of approval.

Key Takeaways. Your tax returns can be audited even after you've been issued a refund. Only a small percentage of U.S. taxpayers' returns are audited each year. The IRS can audit returns for up to three prior tax years and, in some cases, go back even further.

Taxpayers who file electronically and choose direct deposit typically get their refund in less than 21 days. Taxpayers who don't have a bank account can find out how to open a bank account at a FDIC-insured bank or the National Credit Union Locator Tool.

Your income. Your tax withholding. Tax credits you claimed on your return. The withholding claimed on your Social Security benefits.

If you used TurboTax to e-file your return, you can login to your TurboTax Online account to check the e-file status. After your tax return has been accepted by the IRS, only the IRS can tell you the status of processing that return, whether you owe taxes or are due a tax refund.

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.

What happens when your refund is accepted? ›

Once your return has been “accepted,” its status will remain the same until it's been “approved.” This indicates it's been processed and that the IRS has approved the release of your refund.

What days of the week can I receive my refund? The exact day of the week that the IRS will deposit your refund into your account can vary, but they usually send the refund on every business day, from Monday to Friday.

Information is updated once a day, overnight.

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.

The deposits for direct deposit of refunds are done overnight on Thursday nights so they appear in the bank account on Friday, according to the IRS timetable. The deposits are made one time each week, not every day. It depends on the bank, but generally you can see the deposit in your bank account on Friday morning.