Early filers see it every year:
They submit their return the moment e-file opens, the IRS accepts it within minutes, and then… nothing.

The Where’s My Refund (WMR) tool stays stuck on:

• “Accepted,” or
• “We received your tax return and it is being processed.”

No refund date.
No progress bar.
No update.
Just silence.

If your return includes the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC), this is not a glitch. It is the direct result of the PATH Act, which legally prevents the IRS from issuing or even scheduling a refund containing these credits before mid-February.

Here is why your WMR tool will often look frozen — and when you can expect real movement.

Why WMR Stays Stuck on “Accepted”

When a return includes EITC or ACTC, the IRS cannot legally release the refund until after February 15. This delay affects WMR’s ability to show progress because the IRS cannot assign a refund date until the legal barrier lifts.

This causes the most confusing early-season phenomenon:

WMR stays on “Accepted”

even though your return is being processed behind the scenes.

There is no error and no problem with your return. The system simply cannot move forward publicly until the PATH Act hold expires.

What the PATH Act Actually Does

The Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act requires:

• Extra verification of wage data
• Verification of dependents
• Identity theft and fraud screenings
• A mandatory hold on refund issuance until February 15

Because these checks must be completed, WMR cannot provide a deposit date early—even if the IRS has already finished much of your processing quietly.

What Really Happens Behind WMR During This Time

Even though WMR still shows “Accepted,” the IRS Master File is doing real work:

• Validating W-2 wage data
• Matching Social Security records
• Checking dependent eligibility
• Comparing withholding amounts
• Screening for fraud or identity theft
• Computing your final refund amount

You won’t see any of this activity on WMR.

But you can often see it on your IRS transcript, which updates days before WMR does.

Why WMR Will Not Update Until After February 15

WMR is intentionally delayed for EITC/ACTC filers so taxpayers aren’t misled into thinking their refund is coming sooner than the law allows.

Important points:

• WMR will not show a refund date before the PATH Act date
• WMR may not update at all until February 16–18
• WMR may skip the “Approved” stage and jump straight to “Refund Issued”

This is why early filers often think something is wrong — but nothing is.

When Will WMR Start Updating?

Historically, major WMR updates occur:

February 16–17

WMR starts assigning refund dates once the legal hold lifts.

February 18–21

Most early filers see:

• “Approved”
• “Refund Sent”
• Or a direct jump to “Refund Approved” with a date

February 22+

Banks begin releasing deposits based on TC 846 dates found in transcripts.

How to Know Your Refund Is Really Moving

While WMR is frozen, your transcript is the real source of truth.

Watch for:

TC 570

Refund hold — normal during PATH Act.

TC 971

PATH Act notice issued.

TC 846

Refund issued — this will appear the moment your refund is released.

If your transcript shows TC 846, your refund is officially approved even if WMR hasn’t updated yet.

Common Misconceptions About WMR During PATH Season

“My return isn’t processing.”

It is — WMR just cannot show it yet.

“I filed early, so I should get a refund early.”

Not if you claim EITC or ACTC. The PATH Act overrides early filing.

“WMR is broken.”

No — it’s restricted until the legal release period.

“My refund is delayed.”

Not really — this is the normal timeline for credit filers.

What You Should Do While WMR Is Stuck

✔ Check your transcript weekly

It updates days earlier than WMR.

✔ Do not re-file

This causes a duplicate return error.

✔ Ignore rumors about early releases

Federal law blocks early refunds nationwide.

✔ Expect the first real update after February 15

This is the earliest the IRS can legally release your money.

If your WMR status is stuck on “Accepted” or “Processing,” it is not a sign of trouble. It is a sign that your return includes EITC or ACTC and is being held under the PATH Act until mid-February.

WMR will not update until:

• The PATH Act hold lifts, and
• The IRS assigns a deposit date

Your refund is still on track — just hidden in the system until the legal release window opens.