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 have efiled my return and got accepted on the 29th of feb. I checked the WMR it states that the return was received. one week later I checked the bars disappeared. So I waited for 21 days to pass and checked again and still no orange bars. I called on April and asked got to talk to an agent, and i asked him if there’s anything holding my refund, or do i need to submit any papers just to verify my return, so when i asked all those questions I was on hold for 20 minutes and he came back that there is nothing wrong it is just being processed, and that my refund is schedule to be send on May 16, 2016. Does this mean that this is a go for my return and i should wait on the 16? Because he said that if i dont get it on the 16 than i should call back again. HELP on this please TAX ADVISOR….
Hi Lona,
If you called and spoke directly with an IRS representative, then what they tell you is your most accurate and up-to-date refund status update. Typically, the Where’s My Refund tool will provide you with a date as to when they will mail/deposit your refund. In your case, you were updated via phone instead. The IRS will mail/deposit your refund on May 16th. Remember to allow additional business days for postal service delays or your bank to clear the deposit.
Hi, First off THANK YOU for the info! We filed on April 7th got an email saying they were accepted and now when we try and check our refund status it says that our info doesn’t match and a second bar comes up asking when we filed and by paper or electronic (we did electronic) I know the info I am entering is right!!! It says you can not check status tell IRS has sent you the acceptance email which we got already. I am frustrated !!! I tried to call but it was just automated service and since it was in April it just says check back. Any thoughts would be appreciated!!! Thanks again!
Hi Reg,
During busy times of the tax season, the Where’s My Refund tool can appear to be inaccurate. I do suggest contacting your IRS Local Office (as opposed to the automated main line). They should be able to provide you with updated information regarding your refund status.
I filed in February and about 2 weeks later I received a letter requesting more information on my health care tax credit I claimed. I immediately sent the requested information and now as of March 29th the app says it is being reviewed and refers to tax topic #151. I called IRS and they just say I will receive a letter within 30 days. What should I make of it?
Hi Mark,
When it comes to Tax Topic 151 showing on your refund status update, this serves as a disclaimer. The letter that they are sending you could be a few different things. The IRS may have reviewed your return further and determined that you are not eligible for the credit OR that they need even more documentation from you. Unfortunately, it is tough to predict what the letter will say and it is tough to get much information from an IRS representative over the phone since their primary mode of communication is via mail.
At first it said my Refund was approve and being Process. I know child support go after that but my wife gets her taxes back and now it said recive your tax return and now being Process. what in the world. we file Feb 1st and not seeing anything being done. My wife talk to someone on the phone and said child support approve and took money and said it would be a week before we see anyting. How does this process work. you sit on it for 14 weeks then another couple week after that. This is not right. WE pay are taxes and should not be push around waiting and waiting….
Hi Jeff,
Unfortunately, the IRS does not promise an exact date for when you will receive your tax refund. If you were unable to make progress by contacting the main IRS office, I suggest giving your local IRS office a call. They should have access to the same information and work with you to at least get an estimated time frame for when you will see your refund.
I had to amend my return. I was penalized for not having healthcare. I was informed that I may be able to file for a hardship due to the fact that I was going through an eviction at the time. I filled out the appropriate paper work including my exemption code. When I use the site “Where is my Amended Return” it tells me that it was received on Feb 20th, and adjusted today April 1st. The message says: Your account was adjusted on April 01, 2016. Within three weeks, you will receive a notice that explains the adjustment”
I got a pretty large refund, so I know I don’t owe money. I was penalized $695 dollars for not having healthcare.
My question is, will I receive the adjusted refund check within 3 weeks, or a notice telling me how much to expect in 3 weeks, and then have to wait longer for the actual refund?
Hi Trav,
Unfortunately, I cannot guarantee whether or not you will receive your refund with the IRS letter or not. This will more than likely depend on whether or not the IRS requires additional information from you. If they do, they will ask for this via mail. In that case, you would not receive your refund at the same time since they will assume that the additional information could change the outcome of your refund/tax liability.