Don’t stress! You won’t miss this flight.
Have you ever walked into an airport and realized you and everyone around you seem to be in a rush? Well, tax filers tend to mimic the same anxious energy, especially those trying to figure out their tax refund status.
We understand that like the airport checking luggage-security-shoes-off whirlwind, tax filing is also something you don’t do every day and can be pretty stressful. Actually, filing your taxes is the hardest part though so give yourself a pat on the back, sit back and await your refund.
What status updates should I look out for?
Whether you are a RapidTax customer or not, you’ll probably use the IRS “Where’s My Refund?” tool. Before checking your refund status, you’ll want to recognize and know the meaning of the following status updates:
- Return Received or Accepted
- Refund Approved
- Refund Sent
- Your tax return is still being processed. A refund date will be provided when available.
What does Return ‘Received’ or ‘Accepted’ mean?
The IRS updates you with “We have accepted your tax return and it is being processed”. This is solely to update you that your return was successfully received by the IRS. This status update does not mean your return was approved. It simply means the IRS has it and it is in line to be reviewed and processed.
- The Return Received status may remain longer than you were expecting. You may have friends who had this status displayed on their page for only a few days and yours has remained much longer. Don’t panic, it happens.
What does ‘Refund Approved’ mean?
The IRS updates you with ” Your refund has been approved”. This means that your return was processed successfully and the estimated refund amount was approved by the IRS. You’re one step closer to getting that refund!
- This refund status is the second stage of the IRS refund updates and means you have nothing to worry about.
What does ‘Refund Sent’ mean?
Once the IRS updates you that your refund has been sent, the deal is sealed. You should be receiving your refund via check or direct deposit. In most cases, you’ll even be issued an approximate date to expect your money to arrive.
- If you had your tax refund direct deposited, it may take your bank or financial institution 1-5 business days to deposit the tax refund money into your account. If instead, you opted to have your tax refund sent to you in the mail, by check, you should expect to wait much longer.
What does ‘Your tax return is still being processed. A refund date will be provided when available ‘ mean?
Although it may drive you crazy waiting for your refund, this status could just mean that the IRS hasn’t approved your refund as yet and it reviewing your return.
- Most refunds are issued in less than 21 days. Additional review may be the case if you claim credits such as the Additional Child Tax Credit, or Earned Income Credit. This ensures that you’re receiving the correct refund. This process may take longer, but it will change eventually.
What does Tax Topic 152 mean?
If you are using the Where’s My Refund tool and see a generic message accompanied by “Tax Topic 152“, consider this IRS tax jargon. In short, your return is still in the processing stage. Tax Topic 152 is simply a lengthy internet document listing the ways you are able to receive your refund. Although applicable, chances are that by this stage of the game, you’ve already chosen whether or not you’d like a check or direct deposit.
If you notice your tax refund status is not appearing on the IRS tool, be sure you are entering the correct information. If it still doesn’t work, contact your tax preparer.
Wmr says it mailed my check on feb10 wwhere is my check
If you don’t get your check within a month after it says sent u must call IRS to reissue you one because u have not received it
Did you receive yours? The said mine was sent
2/12 and still not here :/.
Did you receive yours? Mine was mailed 2/22 and still nothing.
Filed 2/5 switched to sent 2/20 ddd was 2/26 still nothing. Today is 3/1
Hi “Ladyivirgo”,
If your status reads your refund was sent and you elected to receive it Direct Deposit and you still haven’t received it, I would contact your bank and/or the IRS ( IRS number is 1-800-829-1040). If you elected to have your return sent via check in the mail, it can take several weeks to receive it and I suggest waiting at least another week before calling the IRS.
Just curious filed jan 30 had to fax health care info Feb 24 this past sat just updated to approved with a ddd 3/30 but my tax topic never returned is that normal
Hi Chaney,
It is not crucial for Tax Topic 152 to be present when checking on the status of your refund. It is only listed for additional information. It simply states the options taxpayers have to receive their refund. It does not affect or delay your return from being processed and receiving your refund.
Thank you
Ladyivrgo did u get your money yet because I’m in same boat?
The same thing is happening with me I filed on February 18 it was accepted the same Fay then 3 days later my bars went away and it’s displaying that same message. I hope I get a ddd soon.!
Hi Shonnie,
It can take the IRS longer than expected to process some refunds. Once it has been 21 days since you filed your return, you can call the IRS directly at 1-800-829-1040 and a representative will research the status of your return.
hey just wanting to know this has happen to me and i called and they are saying to allow 45 days. what ever happened with yours?
did my taxes on feb 12 2013 all mines say is receive when should i receive mines
Hi Lucretia,
The IRS stated that 9 out of 10 refunds would be processed within 21 days. Once the 21 days has passed and if your status has not changed, you can contact the IRS directly at 1-800-829-1040 and a representative can research the status of your return.
Hi Ive look @ everyones question about there refund but in my case is different. I filed on Febuary and then received a letter like in April saying if I filed twice becausr they received it twice so I signed a paper they sent me saying if it was an error that sent it twice just to check where it said it was an error and to signt it. I signed it stating that it was an error that i had send it twice and til now i havent received my refund and its been 3 months since the day i sent sign that paper. And til now i have to respond or my refund please help….
Hi Vanessa,
Considering your specific circumstances, I suggest contacting the IRS to see when you should expect to receive your refund.
Hello, I did my taxes two weeks ago and the refund bar said recieved so when I went to review it to see if it went into accepted it gave me this message: We cannot give u any information on refund refer to topic 152, is that message saying I won’t be getting a refund?
Hi Ariana,
Not to worry! This simply means that the IRS has received your return and it is still in the processing stage. Topic 152 is just the name of the IRS disclaimer form which lists (in length) how you can receive your refund (ie: check by mail, direct deposit, etc). The IRS updates the Where’s My Refund tool often so be sure to check back.
What does it mean when it goes from your return is processing you will get a refund date when available to your return is being processed? Filed jan 25th said pulled for further review but does the change mean i will get my refund soon?
Hi Essence,
This could mean that the IRS requires further information from you before completing the e-file process of your return. If so, they will notify you by mail and let you know the additional information they need. If they require no further information or documentation, then you can continue to check back daily to the WMR tool as per usual.
I filed on 2/7 and was accepted the same day. I never had a bar, just WMR stating its being process & will give date when available. So I called before my 21 days were up on 2/22 to verify she said 6-8 weeks. I checked WMR this morning and it says it’s been received and still processing no bars and no tax topic. I’m lost, please help me.
Hi Angel,
Unfortunately, the IRS does not provide a 100% accurate time frame for when you will receive your refund. It is impossible to promise an exact date since there is always the possibility of a delay or error in filing your return. The IRS has stated that most refunds are processed and issued within 21 business days of filing. However, this is not the case for every taxpayer. The IRS will do further research after 21 days have passed so I suggest contacting them again. Other than that, the WMR tool is updated daily so you will be able to see if the IRS requires further action from you.
I filed on feb 10 2014 my return was received… no refund yet..wtf!!!(; I HATE THE IRS…!!! UGHHH