Return still pending after 96 hours

[Tonythetaxman]

I submitted my tax return to TurboTax on 1/26/26 at noon and my return has not even been received by the IRS. I understand processing takes awhile, I know there are back logs and all those other things. I am simply confused because I have used them for years nothing new happened and my return hasn’t even been received after 96 hours which even for peak season is oddly long. No updates, I ask and get told turbo tax can’t tell me anything but to check the irs tool which doesn’t work because it hasn’t been received!

[SteamTrain]

@Tonythetaxman 

Always wait to efile until ~ 2 weeks after the IRS starts processing...responses are faster then

_______________________

During the first week (or 2) that the IRS starts taking files....there are millions waiting, and they take small batches "randomly" from the piled up submissions.....and then "randomly" in small batches from ALL the software providers.

As such, the random process may not include yours in those small batches.....thus, some of those filing after you did, are commonly processed first.   A quick response from the IRS is common after the first two weeks that the IRS starts.

And state tax returns are not sent to the state until AFTER the IRS actually "Accepts" your e-file.