My NJ State tax return is still in "Pending state" after 48 hours (It's been 4 days). Is there something wrong or should I be trying to contact someone to get this fixed?

[HeatherPLO · Accepted solution]

Pending just means it is in the queue to be processed.  This does not mean something is wrong.  To track your state return or reach out to the New Jersey Division of Taxation, please see the Help Article here. 

[jdstreger]

Thanks for the quick reply!

Would it be recommended that I contact the NJ State Taxation Department if they do not process my return before the tax filing deadline (April 18th)? If there is an issue with my return I do not want to face potential late-filing charges or interest. 

[Steve190]

I'm having the same issue with my NJ tax return.  It's been pending for 4 days.  The link to the State of NJ Taxation division says not to attempt to look up the status of my return until 4 weeks after filing.  That will be too late if something is wrong.

[jdstreger]

I have been reading from other sources that it is expected a state return to be accepted/rejected before 48 hours after filing. Once it is accepted/reject it is then put in a queue to be processed. I believe that queue is what NJ State is referring to when it says to wait 4 weeks until trying to track the status of your return. This initial "accepted/rejected/pending" state is simply to show whether or not NJ has acknowledged they have added it to this queue. 

If it does not update by Thursday, I'm going to give them a call and see what the hold up is.

[fanfare]

You should get ACCEPTED by the end of the next day, if not sooner.

I doubt NJ can tall you anything about a PENDING status with TurboTax, 

unless they have your return, and the message was lost.

four days is too long.

[jdstreger]

Last year, NJ gave me an Accepted status about 50 hours after filing initially. I just called TurboTax support and they told me there is no indication in the system that there is an issue, so the delay is most likely on the NJ side of things. I will attempt to contact NJ to try and verify that they have received the return. 

[Steve190]

Hi jdstreger,

After seeing your message, I went ahead and called NJ myself.  After a few tries I was able to get through to the tax assistance person.  They found my return and said it's in their electronic system but had to be exported to another system before it would get processed.  They told me that it's OK and just to wait.

I hope this helps.

[Steve190]

A half hour after I called the state, I got the message saying that my tax return was accepted.

[lh34]

hello

can anyone share the phone number at the NJ state level that you were able to get through on?

[Steve190]

I used this number:

[phone number removed] (Hours 8 AM - 4:30 PM)

3 times out of 4, I got a message which said they were too busy and to call back later.  I just kept redialing and then I got a message with a menu of options.  I chose "personal income taxes" and then "where is my refund".  It then took about 5 minutes of wait time before a person answered.

They were very nice and helpful.  Good luck.

[Steve190]

For some reason my previous number was removed.

Just go to the NJ Division of Taxation website.  All the way on the bottom, there is a "Contact Us" link.  You'll find the number there.

This is the website.  Hopefully the link won't be removed.

https://www.state.nj.us/treasury/taxation/

[lh34]

thanks Steve - the phone number was deleted - would you mind attaching a link?

[Steve190]

Link to the contact page:

https://www.state.nj.us/treasury/taxation/contact.shtml

[lh34]

I'll keep trying/ getting busy signals...thanks!!