India, April 3 -- When you e-file your tax return with TurboTax and choose direct deposit, you kickstart an efficient process for receiving your tax refund. Typically, you'll receive notification from the IRS within a day or two that your return has been accepted. If all your information matches their records, your refund will proceed directly to the IRS payment schedule. The usual response to the question, "How long does it take to get my tax refund?" is a resounding "less time than you might expect!"

The IRS generally doesn't keep you waiting long after you've decided to electronically file your tax return. You will usually receive a notification that your return has been accepted within 24 to 48 hours. But what happens during this per...