What’s The Difference Between Return Accepted And Return Approved?

We have the answer to this very common question, “What’s The Difference Between Return Accepted And Return Approved?” If you have filed your 2016 tax return and went to the IRS Where’s My Refund website, IRS2Go App, or received an email or text from your tax filing website, you most likely have seen the term Return Accepted but not on the Return Approved. 

Versus. 

A tax return is in “Return Received” or “Return Accepted” means that your tax return has passed the initial screening by the IRS. This includes some simple fraud checks such as verifying your social security number has not been used or any red flags listed on your IRS account. Once your tax return has been accepted, it will remain the same until the IRS sets your direct deposit and check date then moves your tax return status to “Refund Approved.”

The IRS is still only guaranteeing your tax refund within 21 days of “Return Accepted” status. We do have our E-File Cycle Chart to better help you estimate your tax refund date. Once your tax return is “Refund Approved”, your Refund Status date will appear on the Where’s My Refund page(link above).

We hope that this information was useful to you.

Thank you,