how long does it take irs to approve tax return

For most people, the IRS approves (accepts and processes) a tax return within about 21 days if you file electronically and choose direct deposit, assuming there are no errors or extra review needed.

Typical approval timelines

• E‑file with direct deposit :
  • IRS usually accepts the return within 24–48 hours of filing.

* After acceptance, most refunds are **approved and issued within 21 days**.

• Paper‑filed return :
  • Takes longer because of manual handling; expect roughly 4–8 weeks for processing and approval.

When it takes longer

Some returns sit in “being processed” for more than 21 days if:

• There are errors, missing info, or identity‑verification issues.

• The return is selected for extra review or involves certain credits (like EITC or ACTC), which can add several weeks.

How to check your status

Use the IRS tools to see where your return stands:

• “Where’s My Refund?” on the IRS website.

• IRS2Go mobile app , which shows the same status.

If your status hasn’t changed after more than 21 days (e‑file) or more than 6–8 weeks (paper), it’s reasonable to contact the IRS or your tax pro.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.