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Best answer by mesquitebean

If you didn't sign and date your mailed return, the IRS will likely mail it back to the address on the return.  In that case, you can sign it, date it, and mail it back to the IRS.

I usually use some kind of tracking when mailing to the IRS, such as Priority Mail or certified return receipt, so I won't wonder if they received it.

For a mailed return, it will not show up in their "Where's My Refund" tool until about 4 weeks after mailing.   It can take approximately 6 weeks to get a Federal refund after a mailed return.

So after 4 weeks from when mailed (or when remailed if you didn't sign and date it), look for info here:
http://www.irs.gov/Refunds

TurboTax will continue to show "Ready to Mail" since it has no way of knowing if you actually did mail the return.


6 replies

Level 15
June 4, 2019
Please explain more.   It's not clear what you mean.   Did you finish your TurboTax return and file it?   If so, by mail or efile?   And how long has it been?
Level 2
June 4, 2019
my federal return status says "ready to print and mail" I've printed the document and sent attached my W2 as well and dropped it off at post office yesterday afternoon . I just hope I'm doing the Right process I don't want to get audit . Please help .
Level 15
June 4, 2019
So you have printed, signed, and mailed the return, correct?    Are you due a refund or had taxes owed that you paid?
Level 2
June 4, 2019
I dont think I signed it ? I'm due a refund . I mailed everything they were asking for .
Level 2
June 4, 2019
what happens if I didn't sighn it ?
Level 15
June 4, 2019

If you didn't sign and date your mailed return, the IRS will likely mail it back to the address on the return.  In that case, you can sign it, date it, and mail it back to the IRS.

I usually use some kind of tracking when mailing to the IRS, such as Priority Mail or certified return receipt, so I won't wonder if they received it.

For a mailed return, it will not show up in their "Where's My Refund" tool until about 4 weeks after mailing.   It can take approximately 6 weeks to get a Federal refund after a mailed return.

So after 4 weeks from when mailed (or when remailed if you didn't sign and date it), look for info here:
http://www.irs.gov/Refunds

TurboTax will continue to show "Ready to Mail" since it has no way of knowing if you actually did mail the return.