They will provide an actual refund date as soon as the IRS processes your tax return and approves your refund. 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.

What does it mean if my tax return was accepted?

When you receive confirmation that the IRS accepted your return, it means that they have reviewed your return, and it has passed their initial inspection. They verify your personal information and other basic items, like if your dependents have already been claimed by someone else.

When does the IRS start processing tax returns?

Tax payers can still submit and file their return with their preferred provider (we recommend Turbo Tax) but the IRS won’t begin processing and paying returns until after February 12th, 2021. The estimated 2020-2021 refund processing schedule table below has been updated to reflect this, including the extension to the season.

Why was my tax refund delayed by the IRS?

The IRS has a list of reasons your refund could potentially be delayed. Your tax return has errors. It’s incomplete. Your refund has been affected by identity theft or fraud. You filed for the earned income tax credit or additional child tax credit.

Is the IRS going to publish a tax refund schedule?

The IRS used to actually publish a chart each year with the refund schedule, depending on the date that your return was accepted. Due to newer auditing procedures, they no longer do this. However, we can make a pretty good estimate based on past years’ performance.

When do I need to file my 2020 tax return?

Some may have already filed their 2020 tax return and need their refund. If that’s you, try using IRS tools to check its status. And if you haven’t filed your taxes yet, you should file your tax return before the deadline or request an extension from the IRS .