Congratulations! Accepted means your e-filed tax return has passed the initial inspection (Social Security numbers are correct, dependents haven’t already been claimed, etc.) and the government has your tax return. Consider acceptance as your official government delivery receipt.
Does “accepted” mean my refund is approved?
No – accepted means your tax return is now in the government’s hands and has passed the initial inspection (your verification info is correct, dependents haven’t already been claimed by someone else, etc.).
After acceptance, the next step is for the government to approve your refund.
First, they look for things like back taxes and unpaid child support. If they find any debts, they’ll offset (reduce) your refund to cover the outstanding amount. Once they are satisfied that you have no outstanding debts, they will approve and then issue your refund.
Every tax season, millions of taxpayers notice the same pattern: IRS tax transcripts begin showing…
IRS HUB Testing (also called the IRS “controlled launch”) for the 2026 filing season is…
The wait is over! As of today, January 9, 2026, the IRS Free File system…
Tax season doesn’t usually get people excited—but 2025 tax changes are different. Thanks to the…
Tax season can feel like a marathon, a sprint, or something you just kind of……
Explore our comprehensive guide for the 2026 IRS e-file direct deposit dates! Stay informed and…