Why are people who filed through Turbo Tax this year having to wait longer for a refund.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/taxes/the-irs-is-behind-in-processing-nearly-7-million-tax-returns-slowing-refunds-as-it-implements-new-stimulus/ar-BB1excvi?ocid=msedgdhp

Lots of people in general are experiencing delays in receiving 2020 refunds.  Delays are not just happening to users of TurboTax.    The IRS began the filing season late due to the backlog from 2019 returns and has never been able to catch up.   A huge backlog was created during the pandemic---a pandemic during which many IRS employees could only work remotely and mail piled up in trailers for months.   During that time, the IRS had to issue stimulus checks to millions of people.    The beginning of 2020 filing was delayed until February 12 and when the tax season opened, millions of 2020 returns poured in to the IRS.    In the middle of  2020 tax filing season Congress passed another stimulus check and the IRS had to process and issue millions of checks when they were already behind.   And not only that, but millions of filers answered incorrectly when asked how much they received for the first two stimulus checks---so the IRS is having to cross check all of those returns and recalculate the refunds.   Oh....and the tax law changed for unemployment so now there are millions of refunds to adjust for that and all kinds of people who will need adjustments if they had marketplace health insurance.....it goes on and on.    

So....waiting for your refund is understandably frustrating.....

TurboTax gives you an estimated date for receiving your refund based on a 21 day average from your date of acceptance, but it can take longer.  “21 days”  is not a promise from TurboTax or the IRS.   Many refunds are taking longer during the pandemic.  The IRS is backlogged —-they are still trying to process millions of 2019 returns; they received millions of e-filed on the day they opened for 2020 returns, and now they are burdened with sending out another round of stimulus checks.   

Some delays are resulting from incorrect amounts that folks entered for stimulus checks they received.   Many people have been confused by the recovery rebate credit and completed it incorrectly.  The IRS may delay your refund while they cross-check to see what you received.

First, check your e-file status to see if your return was accepted: 

https://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tools/efile-status-lookup/

Once your federal return has been accepted by the IRS, only the IRS has any control.  TurboTax does not receive any updates from the IRS. Your ONLY source of information about your refund now is the IRS.

You need your filing status, your Social Security number and the exact amount  (line 34of your 2020 Form 1040) of your federal refund to track your Federal refund:   

https://www.irs.gov/refunds

To track your state refund:    

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1899433-how-do-i-track-my-state-refund

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1901548-why-do-some-refunds-take-longer-than-others

If you chose to have your TurboTax fees deducted from your federal refund, that will take some extra time, while the third party bank handles the refund processing.

https://www.irs.gov/refunds/tax-season-refund-frequently-asked-questions

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/2840013-does-accepted-mean-my-refund-is-approved

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/2724106-my-return-is-accepted-but-still-not-approved-is-there-a-problem-should-i-be-worried