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.
I got an email saying my refund is on the way and i should get it soon what does that mean
Hi Swaggoner,
The IRS will never email you or call you in regards to your refund. This is a safety precaution to prevent you from sharing personal information with anyone attempting to impersonate the IRS. You mentioned that you received an email. It is possible that this email was sent from your tax preparer to notify you that your return was submitted to the IRS. However, I suggest checking your status updates with the IRS Where’s My Refund tool. This is updated daily with your return progress and will provide you with a date when your refund will be mailed or deposited once it is processed and approved.
Hi guys! We filed on February 4th 2016 and got accepted February 5th 2016. It is Now February 18th and it is still on the first bar!!! But when I call the irs to check on it it says that they have been complete. Does this mean I should be getting them soon?? Is the wmr always accurate or can they forget to update it?
Hi Nayeli,
Since you e-filed on February 4th, it is not out of the ordinary for your status to still be in the accepted stage on the Where’s My Refund tool. After 21 days, the IRS will do further research to update you on the status of your refund if you contact them to do so. The IRS updates the tool daily based on the records they have and is typically updated with accurate information.
I filed my taxes on 1/29 and my sister filed hers about an hour before me her refund has been approved and mines is still saying received is it because I have an offset or because this is the first time I filed my niece as an dependent
Hi Hatta,
Although your sister filed an hour before you, your tax situations aren’t identical. That being said, there are many different factors that could be contributing to the delay so it is hard to pinpoint the exact reason. However, being that it is 21 days past the day you e-filed, you can contact the IRS directly and they will do further research on the status of your return.
My husband filed on Feb.3,2016 I’m just trying to see if anyone else filed on the 3-4th and has any information our status isn’t changing but I’ve gotten emails with progress but no ddd yet
My refund got approved and it said scheduled to be mailed out feburary 12th 2016 how long till i get it in the mail. And when will my refund status change?
Hi Kimberly,
This is the final status update you will receive regarding your refund. This simply means that the IRS mailed out your refund check on February 12th. Once they have mailed it, you should allow 3-5 business days to receive it, depending on the postal service timing.