Desktop e-file status not accurate

[nikolab]

Hello,

I completed my e-file via desktop TurboTax Deluxe. I also got a confirmation message on my scree . I received an email that my return was In Progress and also another one later saying it was Accepted. My desktop e-file status says I have not e-filed yet. What could be the reason? Does the email confirmation guarantee that my return is accepted?

[SweetieJean]

Have you run a desktop program update?  Accepted means the IRS has received your return for processing.  Approved is a later step, and TT cannot guaranty that, since only the IRS controls approvals.

[nikolab]

How do I run the program update? The email says that the federal return was accepted and it came an hour after the one saying it was in progress.

[nikolab]

I ran a program update and I still have the issue. Desktop TT e-file status still says that I haven't filed yet. I have a screenshot from the TT message that transmission was successful. I have an email for success transmission - one for In Progress and one for the federal return being Accepted (which per the email means "You're officially finished filing your federal taxes – nicely done!") . Not sure why the desktop software forgot about my federal tax return transmission. What else can I do to make sure everything is ok?

[mesquitebean]

How are you checking the status in the software?  Are you checking your efile status in the desktop program this way?   This is for the Windows version.  The Mac version may vary.

Launch TurboTax, and open your return.

Then in the top left corner of the TurboTax screen click on the FILE menu, and in the dropdown menu choose "Electronic Filing."  Then in the next menu choose "Check electronic filing status."  What does it return?

If it says "accepted" there, then SAVE the return.

Did you also efile a state return?  If so, has it been accepted?

[nikolab]

Thanks for the step by step guidance. I get the same result (you haven't file a tax return yet). I did not file a state return, just federal.

When I check the e-file status, it says also "Think you've already filed? Select Continue and we'll double check if you have or not". When I select Continue, it takes me back to the file section for a new transmission. I don't want to do it again. I am not sure if this will make a new transmission or will check anything before submitting a brand new one. It may screw things up, who knows.

It is so strange and make me wonder if everything is OK.

[mesquitebean]

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@nikolab wrote:

Thanks for the step by step guidance. I get the same result (you haven't file a tax return yet). I did not file a state return, just federal.

When I check the e-file status, it says also "Think you've already filed? Select Continue and we'll double check if you have or not". When I select Continue, it takes me back to the file section for a new transmission. I don't want to do it again. I am not sure if this will make a new transmission or will check anything before submitting a brand new one. It may screw things up, who knows.

It is so strange and make me wonder if everything is OK.

---

I can't explain why you got an email saying it was transmitted, then another email saying it was accepted, and now not seeing evidence of it being filed inside the product.   It shouldn't let you efile twice, or if it does, the second one "should" be rejected by the IRS with an error message that one has already been filed under that SSN.   BUT, I think the safest thing to do is to talk to TurboTax Support.   They should be able to tell if you have successfully efiled, and if it was indeed accepted.  If it was, they should have received confirmation numbers from the IRS.

And it would be interesting to hear how they explain what you are experiencing.

They are open now and usually easier to reach this time of morning.

Hours are 5AM-9PM Pacific (8AM-12 Midnight Eastern) 7 days/week.

You can use this contact form to get a phone number.
https://support.turbotax.intuit.com/contact

[nikolab]

I believe that is my next step - contact support. Forgot to mention that I see Electronic Postmark with submit date in my print outs, which were printed after the transmission. This I believe is one more conformation for a successful transmission.

I am sure I save the file after I made the transmission. I wonder if this save did not work somehow and that is why I don't have the submission locally on my system.

[mesquitebean]

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@nikolab wrote:

I believe that is my next step - contact support. Forgot to mention that I see Electronic Postmark with submit date in my print outs, which were printed after the transmission. This I believe is one more conformation for a successful transmission.

I am sure I save the file after I made the transmission. I wonder if this save did not work somehow and that is why I don't have the submission locally on my system.

---

You said the Electronic Postmark had the "submit date".    Normally, when a return has also been accepted, the Electronic Postmark will also update and have a "Federal Return Acceptance Date" on it as well; i.e., at that point it would show both dates.   Again, it will be up to TurboTax Support to hopefully come up with some kind of explanation for why your software is thinking you haven't filed, or at least advise you what you need to do at this point.

[brianjdowning]

I have EXACTLY the same problem.

Brian

[HeatherPLO]

So we can take a closer look at your specific situation, please reach out to us directly using the Help Article here.  This ensures you will get to the correct department as quickly as possible.  

@brianjdowning