2020 Federal Tax Return Rejected

[Mammoth1]

Replacing the AGI with a 0 (zero) worked for me!!  Yippeee!!

If filing a joint return, make sure to replace the AGI for both people with a 0 (zero)!!

[Mammoth1]

Are you filing a joint return?  If so, make sure you replace the AGI with 0 (zero) for both people.

[MysticalRose]

I am very happy to report that I tried this solution and it worked! I tried repeatedly to file my 2020 returns and kept receiving the very same error message. I double checked all of the information from my 2019 returns, I tried re-entering information but nothing worked. I had at least 10 rejections before I decided to look up my problem on these boards and see if I could find some help. I did! I entered the "0" as recommended for the 2019 AGI and the returns were accepted within 5 minutes!

Thank you!

[ellab8501]

I had a conversation with a customer service person from turbo tax. It’s showing that my 2020 taxes were accepted. And it shows that the IRS. I don’t understand why I keep getting emails that it’s not. 

[MysticalRose]

Hello. I'm not quite sure I understand your problem. You are saying that your returns were marked "Accepted" but the IRS is showing "Rejected"?

[ellab8501]

I’m going to call customer service again today. I’m not sure what else I can do. Why is my refund showing accepted on my report from turbo tax on 3-29-21? What do you think I should do from here

[me130]

I used Turbotax to complete my daughters return. After electronic file rejected I printed and sent in paper return.  No response since it was sent on Feb. 15, 2021.

Mailed return also included unemployment income which I understand IRS says they will recalculate the refund.

[MayaD]

It’s taking the IRS longer to process mailed documents including:

• Paper tax returns, and
• All tax return related correspondence.

The IRS is processing all mail in the order they received it.

 Also in regard to your unemployment compensations, the IRS will recalculate your taxes, adjust your account accordingly, and send any refund amount directly to you.

[MysticalRose]

A comment on paper returns.

I filed my 2017 paper returns with the Federal and State a year ago using FedEx. I had an extension due to my overseas service with Peace Corps. FedEx delivered the documents (Fresno, California and Denver, Colorado) and nothing ever happened. I assume they "filed" them in the trash.

I am going to file my 2018 taxes by paper soon and will refile my 2017 taxes all together. Perhaps I will have better luck this time.

Former Peace Corps Volunteer serving in Ecuador.

[ellab8501]

If you look at the date 3/29/2021 my returns were expected. So tell me what the problem is. I done them with a turbo tax customer service on the phone. 

[JotikaT2]

There may not be a problem. 

You may need to wait a bit longer as the IRS has had to implement many changes in the last few weeks.  Trying using the following link to track your refund.

IRS processing time and refund status 

The online link is your best option to track your refund.  I have attached a link with more answers from the IRS as to why your refund may be taking longer to process.

Federal refund questions

You can also use the link below to see the latest updates on your account as on file with the IRS.

View your tax account with the IRS

@ellab8501

[jfsachs]

Regarding this post:

MysticalRose

Level 3

an hour ago

 

A comment on paper returns.

I filed my 2017 paper returns with the Federal and State a year ago using FedEx. I had an extension due to my overseas service with Peace Corps. FedEx delivered the documents (Fresno, California and Denver, Colorado) and nothing ever happened. I assume they "filed" them in the trash.

I am going to file my 2018 taxes by paper soon and will refile my 2017 taxes all together. Perhaps I will have better luck this time.

Former Peace Corps Volunteer serving in Ecuador.

Try going on the IRS website and try looking for a transcript of your returns.  If they have the transcripts, then they have your your returns.  If there's no transcript on file, then they were not considered as received and filed. 

Mine for 2019 (which was shown as "Accepted" by TurboTax and the email I received) didn't show as filed (no transcript) and it had a "star" symbol next to it.  Had to send both 2019 and 2020 in by snail mail (with Priority Mail tracking) with documentation to show the 2019 acceptance, the electronic postmark generated by TurboTax (for both the 2019 and showing the "Rejected" 2020 attempted e-filing) and a cover letter explaining the issue.  Very frustrating.  

We'll see ......     

[jfsachs]

A comment on paper returns.

I filed my 2017 paper returns with the Federal and State a year ago using FedEx. I had an extension due to my overseas service with Peace Corps. FedEx delivered the documents (Fresno, California and Denver, Colorado) and nothing ever happened. I assume they "filed" them in the trash.

I am going to file my 2018 taxes by paper soon and will refile my 2017 taxes all together. Perhaps I will have better luck this time.

Former Peace Corps Volunteer serving in Ecuador.

Try going on the IRS website and try looking for a transcript of your returns.  If they have the transcripts, then they have your your returns.  If there's no transcript on file, then they were not considered as received and filed. 

Mine for 2019 (which was shown as "Accepted" by TurboTax and the email I received) didn't show as filed (no transcript) and it had a "star" symbol next to it.  Had to send both 2019 and 2020 in by snail mail (with Priority Mail tracking) with documentation to show the 2019 acceptance, the electronic postmark generated by TurboTax (for both the 2019 and showing the "Rejected" 2020 attempted e-filing) and a cover letter explaining the issue.  Very frustrating.  

We'll see ......     

[GWilbor2]

How do we resolve this issue since agi was taken right off the 1040  2019  

[SForrestLO]

This Turbo Tax FAQ will provide information on what to put for your AGI if you didn't file last year or don't have the correct AGI. Incorrect or no AGI

[jdlloyd47]

I had a similar problem.  I had filed electronically last year in early March 2020 using TT.  My return was accepted but 3 weeks later the IRS requested copies of my withholding statements.  I complied immediately but then covid 19 sent everyone home.  I am due a large refund and only this morning April 10 2021 did I receive an acknowledgment that my 2019 submission would be reviewed and I should get my refund in 8-9 weeks!  OK, that's the background.  I researched the forum and found that the filings that were not reviewed last spring are still being reviewed.  So, if you had entered an absolutely correct AGI, it still does not match because the IRS has not reviewed the filing.  The suggested solution for some has been to place a zero in the AGI.  I tried it but it said my spouse's AGI was incorrect "in the Header Information!"  That puzzled me because there was only one AGI box to fill as we filed jointly.  So, back to the forums where I was advised to clear the caches and the cookies in my browser as they were likely inserting bogus information into my electronic tax filing.  It is easy to do in the features on the menu for the Chrome browser. Go to the menu and select More tools and then select Clear browsing data.  I selected all options and cleared all the junk out, closed TT, closed my browser, and rebooted.  When I resumed Windows, I only opened TT and resubmitted my filing again with $0 as the AGI.  About 20 minutes later my response came back this time that the filing was accepted.  Of course, my electronic state filing was also rejected as they take the lead from the federal electronic filing process.  I fully expect my State tax return to be accepted in 24-48 hours.  Without the forum, I would have certainly given up and mailed my return.  But that is not why I bought TT.