How long between IRS acceptance and 2nd bar approval?

[Anthony]

Generally in the past in a typical year how long does it take to go from the 1st bar on where’s my refund to the second, approval?

Thanks

Anthony

[MizuSeirei]

It depends on your situation.

You will have to take into consideration a few things…..
#1. Is filing season open (on or after January 28?
#2. Are you claiming EITC or ACTC?

If it’s after January 28, and you aren’t claiming one or two of the credits listed above, then given you have no errors on your return, you should see 2 bars within a weeks time of filing.

If you are filing under the same circumstances as mentioned above, however, you filed BEFORE January 28, You can expect your 7-day wait to begin when the tax season opens in order to see 2 bars appear. Also, you stand a chance of being in what people would call “The Test Batch”. It happens to random people who file early, and it doesn’t mean your refund will go faster if you are claiming the ETIC and or ACTC.

Regardless If you filed before or after January 28…., If you are claiming the ETIC and or the ACTC, your refund…. though it will be accepted….., WILL NOT be processed and approved until on or after February 15th, because of the Tax Law that was put into place I believe back in the 2016 tax season.

A lot of people get accepted and approved confused with one another and become worried when things don’t go as planned, and begin calling the IRS and asking questions about refunds that aren’t even due to be sent out yet. that’s when the IRS give them the generic message about 21 days and so on.

I have family and lots of friends that work for the government. Many of whom work for the IRS, so small talk on this topic is the norm around me.

[Author]

Replies