Current Processing Times for Simple Returns (No Credits) - IRS Timeframe Analysis

I'm in the same boat and have been tracking this pretty closely. From what I've gathered, even "simple" returns are taking 17-25 days right now. The IRS is dealing with a larger-than-usual backlog from the previous year (ha, when are they not?). The good news is that returns without credits don't get flagged for extra verification, so you're in the express lane, relatively speaking. My return was accepted March 12th and I just got my DD yesterday - so exactly 21 days for me.

Have you checked your transcripts? The WMR tool is notoriously unreliable and often doesn't update until right before your refund is issued. Your transcript will show if there are any holds or reviews happening. What's your filing method - did you e-file or paper file? And did you select direct deposit or paper check?

I've checked my transcript daily using the IRS.gov online account access. Per IRS procedures, my account transcript shows a TC 150 (return filed) but no TC 846 (refund issued) yet. I e-filed through a professional tax preparer using Lacerte software and requested direct deposit to the same account I've used for the past 5 years. No PATH Act credits, no education credits, no recovery rebate credit - literally just W-2 income, standard deduction, and a small amount of dividend income reported on 1099-DIV. The IRS 'Where's My Refund' tool has shown only 'Return Received' since acceptance on March 17th with no movement to 'Refund Approved' stage. It's frustrating because I need to schedule several medical procedures and was hoping to have this resolved by now.

I was in exactly the same situation on March 29th - my return had been accepted but was stuck in processing for 24 days. I needed to know what was happening because I had budgeted for some car repairs using my refund. After trying the IRS phone number for 3 days (kept getting disconnected), I used Claimyr (https://www.claimyr.com) on April 1st and got through to an agent in about 15 minutes. The agent confirmed there were no issues with my return and it was just in the normal processing queue. My refund was deposited on April 3rd - just knowing there wasn't a problem was worth it for my peace of mind!

Has anyone noticed a pattern with processing centers? I'm wondering if certain regional centers are processing faster than others. My return is being processed at the Austin center according to my acceptance confirmation. • Are Kansas City returns processing faster? • Do electronic returns get distributed evenly across centers? • Is there any way to check which center has your return?

I obsessively prepared for this tax season after last year's disaster (took 68 days to get my refund due to a simple math error). This year with a simple return: - Filed: February 22, 2024 (electronic) - Accepted: February 22, 2024 (confirmation within 2 hours) - WMR updated to approved: March 8, 2024 (14 days) - Direct deposit received: March 13, 2024 (19 days total) My experience suggests simple returns are definitely moving, but the timing isn't consistent person-to-person. I'd give it until the 21-day mark before getting too concerned, but with your medical procedures coming up, I understand the anxiety!

Per IRM 21.4.1.3 (Refund Inquiry Response Procedures), the IRS is not obligated to provide specific information about the status of a refund until 21 days after e-filing or 6 weeks after paper filing. Based on my experience as a tax professional, I've observed the following pattern for 2023 returns (2024 filing season): 1. Simple returns (W-2 only, standard deduction): 14-21 days 2. Returns with dividend/interest income: 17-24 days 3. Returns with Schedule C/E but no credits: 21-30 days The "Return Accepted" status simply means the return has passed the initial validation checks. Your return is likely in batch processing and should move to approved status within the next 3-5 days based on current patterns.