Still Stuck at "Return Received" on IRS2Go After Filing HOH on Jan 20 - No Updates in 3 Weeks

I filed with head of household on January 20th and got accepted right away, but I'm getting really worried now. Every time I check my IRS2Go app (which I admit is multiple times daily), I just keep seeing the same frustrating message: "Your tax return is still being processed. A refund date will be provided when available." When I look at the app right now at 11:37 on 5G, I can see my refund status is still stuck on "Received" - it hasn't moved to "Approved" or "Sent" status yet. The app displays three status icons (Refund Received, Refund Approved, Refund Sent), but mine is only showing the first one highlighted. Under this, I see that annoying message: "Your tax return is still being processed. A refund date will be provided when available. For more information about processing delays, please see our Refund Frequently Asked Questions." There's even a note at the bottom telling me: "Please Note: For refund information, please continue to check here, or visit the Refunds page on IRS.gov. Updates to refund status are made no more than once a day." Yet I can't help checking multiple times daily anyway! The app confirms my filing status as Head of Household is correct, and I can see my partially redacted SSN (###-##), but that's literally all the information I can get. The app has other tabs at the bottom for Refunds, Payments, Free Tax Help, and Connect, but none of those help my current situation. Everyone else I know who filed around the same time has gotten their refund or at least an update, but mine is just stuck with this same message. Is it normal to be stuck on "Your tax return is still being processed" for this long? I can check the Refunds page on IRS.gov as they suggest, but I'm worried something's wrong with my return. Has anyone else experienced this kind of delay?

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14 comments

Drew Hathaway

•7M

Your IRS2Go app screenshot shows several key status indicators: "Received," "Approved," and "Sent," with your return currently at the "Received" stage. The timestamp of 11:37 and the 5G connection status confirm this is a recent real-time check of your status. The system confirms your Head of Household filing status, which is significant because HOH returns typically undergo additional verification steps. Your return is in the "still being processed" phase, which is standard IRS language indicating your return is under review. This status is particularly common for HOH filers due to the additional credits and deductions often associated with this filing status. The app's interface shows three progress markers, and you're at the first stage (Received). While this might seem concerning, it's actually normal for HOH returns to remain at this stage longer than simple single or joint returns. The IRS specifically notes that updates occur only once daily, so checking multiple times per day won't reveal new information. The system's inclusion of verification of your filing status (HOH) indicates your basic filing information has been accepted into their system - this is actually a positive sign that your return is in their queue for processing, not rejected or flagged for immediate problems. For timeline context: while standard processing is 21 days, HOH returns frequently extend beyond this window due to the additional verification requirements associated with this filing status.

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