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.
My status is saying refund approved and it will be mailed out on April 1st, 2016 but how come when I check today the status is not “refund sent” yet?
Hi Yer,
Although the IRS is great about updating the Where’s My Refund tool on a daily basis, the updates are not automatic. Your refund could have very well be sent out today but I do suggest checking the tool tomorrow for an accurate update.
I filed taxes on the 11th of last month and on the irs website it states being processed and your estimated tax refund date will be available soon what does that mean?
Hi Carrie,
This typically means that your return is still being processed by the IRS. This could be delayed due to the high volume of returns being submitted daily. However, after 21 days, the IRS will conduct further research as to where your tax return is. In order for them to do this, you must contact them directly and speak to a representative.
Hey Carrie –
I’m dealing with the same situation. Did you ever get an update on yours?
I have 2 bars my refund was accepted they gave me my direct deposit date witch should be March 9,2016 will it really be that day I should receive it and around what time ??
Hi Mariano,
The IRS will direct deposit your refund money on the date shown. Since you chose direct deposit, you’ll want to allow additional processing time for your bank. In some cases, this could be immediate but some banks need an additional few business days to process the activity. You can contact your bank directly and they should be able to provide you with a time frame of how long this would take to clear in your account.
I filed my taxes with h and r block on the 6th of feb. Reveived my federal refund the 28th of feb. I received a letter from the state saying my check will be issued via mail in 5 to 10 business days today is the 10th business day.when will i receive my state tax check?
Hi David,
Typically, when the state or the IRS provides you with a time frame like 5-10 business days, it is because they need to account for the mail carrier service. If you have not yet received your refund check, it is most likely because your mail carrier is delayed.
Thank u on the state web site it says review complete and it says refund adjusted hence the letter allready told me that. Im wondering if they will mail it 03/09/16. I made a mistake the 9th is the 10th business day. I should probably expect it friday
Hello! If wmr says refund approved, will there be a chance of an offset still? TOP has no non tax debts for me, but im still nervous about a debt I know I owe
Hi Kristina,
This will depend on what kind of debt this is. Generally speaking, there are only certain types of government debts eligible to be garnished by the TOP. These include outstanding debts with federal agencies other than the IRS, past-due court-ordered child support payments, past-due state income taxes and any unemployment compensation you must pay back. If your debt does not fall under any of these, then you are more than likely going to receive your refund in full.