“We Have Received Your Tax Return and It Is Being Processed”

The Most Common IRS Message — And What It Really Means

Millions of taxpayers see the same message on Where’s My Refund:

“We have received your tax return and it is being processed.”

On the surface, it sounds good. The IRS got your return.
But what most people don’t know is that this generic message can represent three totally different processing scenarios — one fast, one normal, and one that may signal a delay.

Let’s break down what this message means, what it does NOT mean, and how to figure out which stage your return is actually in.

What This Message MOST LIKELY Means

In most cases, this message indicates:

The IRS accepted your return
Your return is in the active processing pipeline
No errors have been identified so far
No notices have been issued
No holds have been applied yet

This is the standard message for the first 1–21 days of processing.
During this time:

IRS systems are verifying identity
Comparing your return to W-2/1099 data
Checking for fraud flags
Confirming dependents and credits
Validating withholding amounts

So yes — your return is moving.
But slowly and silently.

The Key Thing to Understand

This message is not an approval.
It does not mean your refund has been confirmed.

It simply means:

“Your return passed initial acceptance and is still being processed internally.”

You will NOT see refund approval until you reach the next status:

“Your tax return has been approved.”
or
“Refund approved.”

The 21-Day Window Explained

The IRS expected processing time for e-filers is:

21 days
This corresponds to:

Three full processing cycles
Each cycle is one IRS operational week
Your return moves step-by-step through automated checks

If there are no issues, you will see:

Code 846 (Refund Issued)
on your transcript before you see approval on WMR.

When This Message Means a Potential Delay

If you see this same message for over 21 days, one of the following may be happening:

1. Your return was flagged for extra review

This may involve:

Large refundable credits
First-time EITC/ACTC claim
Self-employment income
Child dependent confusion
Inconsistent AGI

2. You need identity verification

This usually triggers:

IRS Letter 5071C
IRS Letter 5747C
A TC 570 hold on your transcript

3. There is a wage or withholding mismatch

Often related to:

W-2 errors
Employer reporting delays
Payroll withholding verification
Third-party income discrepancies

4. You submitted a paper return

Paper returns move slowly — sometimes 8+ weeks before processing begins.

5. There is an offset review

If the Treasury Offset Program is reviewing debts:

Child support
Student loans
State tax debt
Federal obligations

This will delay posting of refund info.

The Tool That Gives the REAL Status: Your Transcript

Where’s My Refund is vague.
Your IRS transcript is precise.

TC 150

Return filed and entered

TC 570

Refund hold
(meaning NOT approved yet)

TC 971

Notice issued

TC 846

Refund issued
(the best code you can see)

If you only see TC 150 and nothing else, your return is likely still progressing normally.

What You SHOULD Do During This Status

If under 21 days:

Do NOTHING.
Do NOT call.
The IRS will not provide more info.

If over 21 days:

Check your transcript.
Then call only if:

An identity letter was sent
TC 570 or TC 420 appears
You received a notice requiring action
You have economic hardship

If you receive an IRS letter:

Respond promptly
Preferably using the IRS online account upload tool
Mail responses add an extra 3–6 weeks.

The Good News

If you continue seeing this message but:

No letter arrives
No transcript hold codes appear
No identity verification is requested

Then your return is most likely simply waiting its turn in the standard processing queue.

Many taxpayers see this message up until the day their refund is issued.

Key Takeaway

When you see:

“We have received your tax return and it is being processed.”

It means:

Your return is inside the IRS system
It is undergoing routine verification
Your refund is NOT yet approved
And patience is required until either
- TC 846 appears
  or
- IRS issues further instructions