If Tax Return Filed Electronically. If Paper Tax Return Filed. At the time their tax return was submitted to the IRS, has no amount owed or has an expected refund. Generally tax returns are accepted by the IRS within a day or two of the return having been electronically filed with the IRS. In most cases, the IRS DRT is available within 2-3 weeks after the return has been accepted by the IRS. Generally tax returns are accepted by the IRS when the tax return is received by the IRS.