Why sign in to the Community?

  • Submit a question
  • Check your notifications
Sign in to the Community or Sign in to TurboTax and start working on your taxes
New Member
posted Jun 4, 2019 12:35:35 PM

I did my return on turbo tax and it says i can print and mail it. how come it didn't file it, and how can i change that?

0 9 3520
1 Best answer
Level 15
Jun 4, 2019 12:35:46 PM

You didn't respond if there was any problem/ message when you tried to efile originally, so I will assume there was none.

As long as you have not actually filed (mailed or efiled), here's how to open it back up and change filing methods if TurboTax thinks you are finished:

  • Log in and go to "Your Tax Returns & Documents."  Click that line or the word SHOW to expand.
  • Under 2017 choose "Add a State."  (you don't really add one; that's just to get the return to open up.)
  • Once the return is open, go through the REVIEW tab to be sure all is still in order.
  • Then go through the FILE tab and change the filing method to "efile."
  • Then be sure you go all the way to the end to the final screen which has a button "Transmit My Returns Now" and click that.

NOTE:  Do NOT use this method to open a return to make changes/edits to an already-filed return (one that has actually been mailed or efiled.)   If you later need to make changes to an already-filed return, you have to go through the formal amending process, and your return must start off exactly as originally filed.


9 Replies
Level 15
Jun 4, 2019 12:35:39 PM

Do you want to open the return back up and change the filing method to try to efile it again?   We can tell you how to try.

Perhaps you didn't go all the way to the end to the final screen to transmit the return.    Or was there anything in your return that prevented efiling?   Does it have income, or is it a zero-income return?

New Member
Jun 4, 2019 12:35:41 PM

Yes how do I do that

New Member
Jun 4, 2019 12:35:43 PM

Thank you I will try that now I got the email from TurboTax saying printed ready to mail but the IRS is showing that it was never filed

Level 15
Jun 4, 2019 12:35:44 PM

If you think you might have efiled it, you can check with this tool.
<a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://shop.turbotax.intuit.com/efile/efile_status_lookup.jsp">https://shop.turbotax.intuit.com/efile/efile_status_lookup.jsp</a>

But since it says "ready to mail" in your account, you likely did not successfully efile.

Level 15
Jun 4, 2019 12:35:46 PM

You didn't respond if there was any problem/ message when you tried to efile originally, so I will assume there was none.

As long as you have not actually filed (mailed or efiled), here's how to open it back up and change filing methods if TurboTax thinks you are finished:

  • Log in and go to "Your Tax Returns & Documents."  Click that line or the word SHOW to expand.
  • Under 2017 choose "Add a State."  (you don't really add one; that's just to get the return to open up.)
  • Once the return is open, go through the REVIEW tab to be sure all is still in order.
  • Then go through the FILE tab and change the filing method to "efile."
  • Then be sure you go all the way to the end to the final screen which has a button "Transmit My Returns Now" and click that.

NOTE:  Do NOT use this method to open a return to make changes/edits to an already-filed return (one that has actually been mailed or efiled.)   If you later need to make changes to an already-filed return, you have to go through the formal amending process, and your return must start off exactly as originally filed.


New Member
Jul 3, 2019 1:30:23 PM

I did my turbo tax 2017 for some reason my total wages said 0 need to go in and fix it. It was never filed can I go in and put wages in or do I have to redo it all over

Returning Member
Apr 19, 2021 3:58:27 PM

Hi there, I'm having this same problem—I completed my 2019 taxes via TurboTax, but needed to complete by mailing in. I never mailed it in, but I need to make changes in order to file. I only see the option to Amend, and I don't see an option to add state. Very frustrating  :(

Expert Alumni
Apr 23, 2021 8:32:08 AM

The option to Add a state is at the last page prior to e-filing.  It shows the summary for the federal then the summary for the state and scroll down that page you will see the option to add a state.

 

To change to e-filing:

1. Sign into your account.

2. Click on the My TurboTax menu and select  Visit My Tax Timeline . 

3. Under SOME THINGS YOU CAN DO click on Add a state. (You are not adding a state to your return.  This allows you to get back into your return.)

This will allow you to get back into the return and you can navigate from there. 

Level 15
Apr 23, 2021 8:39:03 AM

@Cynthiad66   You can only efile a current 2020 return.  I think they are asking about 2019.  

 

how to finish a return you started online
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/prior-year-return/help/how-do-i-finish-a-prior-year-return-that-i-started-in-turbotax-online/01/26322