Why is my tax return still showing as "received" but not "accepted" after 3 months?

This is actually more common than you might think. The IRS "Where's My Refund" tool sometimes doesn't update properly, even when your return is being processed. The terminology can also be confusing - "received" usually means they have your return and "accepted" means they've begun processing it, but the tool doesn't always reflect the actual status correctly. Since you mentioned receiving EITC, your return is subject to additional review requirements by law. While the IRS does begin processing EITC returns in mid-February, that doesn't mean all EITC returns are processed immediately. They're working through a backlog, and processing times vary. At this point, since it's been about 3 months, I'd recommend trying to contact the IRS directly. The standard timeframe they give for processing is 21 days, so you're well beyond that window and entitled to more information.

I was in almost the exact same situation last year! After waiting forever and getting nowhere with the Where's My Refund tool, I found this service called taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) that really helped me figure out what was going on. I uploaded my tax docs and it showed me that there was a small discrepancy between what my employer reported on my W-2 and what I entered, which was causing the delay. The tool also gave me a much more accurate timeline estimate than the IRS website did. It turns out EITC returns often take 45-60 days even when there are no issues, and much longer if there's any verification needed. Honestly would've saved myself weeks of stress if I'd known about it sooner.

Just wanted to follow up - I decided to try taxr.ai after my refund was stuck for 6 weeks. It showed that my EITC claim was likely being manually reviewed because I had a change in income from last year. The estimated timeline it gave me was almost exactly right - I got my refund 8 days after the date they predicted. The analysis explained why the Where's My Refund tool was stuck and pointed out a small reporting error in my 1099 information that I never would have caught. Saved me from having to deal with an amended return later!

After going through a similar nightmare trying to get info about my delayed refund, I finally got through to someone at the IRS using Claimyr (https://claimyr.com). They basically wait on hold with the IRS for you and then call you when they get a real person on the line. I was skeptical but you can see how it works in this video: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c In my case, it turned out there was a simple verification flag on my account because I had moved since my last filing. The IRS agent was able to verify my info on the spot and release my refund. Sometimes you just need to talk to an actual human at the IRS to get things moving.

I hate to admit when I'm wrong, but I tried Claimyr after posting that skeptical comment. After three failed attempts to reach the IRS myself (getting disconnected each time after 1+ hour waits), I figured I'd give it a shot. They actually got me through to an IRS representative the same day! The agent confirmed my return was stuck in an "additional review" queue because I had both EITC and some 1099 income. He was able to complete the verification while I was on the phone, and my refund was approved two days later. Just got the deposit yesterday. Sometimes you really do need to talk to a human to break through the automated system limitations.

One thing nobody's mentioned yet - have you checked your transcript on the IRS website? Sometimes the Where's My Refund tool doesn't update properly, but your transcript will show the actual status of your return processing. You can create an account at irs.gov and view your transcript online. Look for codes like 570 (additional account action pending) or 971 (notice issued) which might indicate why your return is delayed. If you see code 846 with a date, that's your refund issue date, even if Where's My Refund hasn't updated.

Have you received any mail from the IRS? Sometimes they send verification letters that need a response before they'll continue processing your return, especially with EITC claims. Check your mail carefully, including stuff that might look like junk mail. If they sent a letter requesting verification and you haven't responded, that would definitely cause this kind of delay.

I went through something very similar last year with my EITC return! Three months is definitely frustrating, but unfortunately not unheard of for EITC claims. A few things that might help: First, definitely check your mail thoroughly - the IRS often sends verification letters for EITC returns that can look like junk mail. If you missed one of these, it could explain the entire delay. Second, try checking your transcript on the IRS website rather than just the Where's My Refund tool. The transcript will show actual processing codes that can tell you exactly what's happening. Look for codes like 570 (additional review) or 971 (notice issued). Also, don't panic about the "received" vs "accepted" status - the Where's My Refund tool is notoriously unreliable with its terminology. Your return was likely accepted if you got that initial confirmation from FreeTaxUSA. One last tip: if you do need to call the IRS, try calling right when they open (7 AM local time) on Tuesday or Wednesday. Still difficult to get through, but slightly better odds. Hang in there - EITC returns just take longer, but you should get your refund eventually!

I'm dealing with almost the exact same issue! Filed in late January with EITC and my refund has been stuck on "received" for over 2 months now. Reading through these responses has been incredibly helpful - I had no idea about checking the transcript or that EITC returns routinely take 45-60 days even without issues. I'm definitely going to try creating an IRS account to check my transcript first, since that seems like the most reliable way to see what's actually happening. The processing codes sound way more informative than the vague "received" status I've been staring at for weeks. Also going to double-check my mail pile for any IRS letters - the comment about verification letters looking like junk mail really caught my attention. I've been so focused on the online tools that I might have overlooked something important in the mail. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences and solutions. It's reassuring to know this level of delay isn't necessarily a sign that something went wrong with my return!