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Level 2
February 13, 2021
Question

Status still Pending

  • February 13, 2021
  • 427 replies
  • 923 views

Why is my return still pending? I filed a few days ago and there isn’t any update. A friend filed today and their efile was accepted right away? I knew the IRS would open on the 12th but how does it make sense that someone who filed after me gets accepted right away?

427 replies

Level 15
February 13, 2021

It is not "first in  first out".

 

 

MY RETURN IS IN PENDING—what does that mean?

 

Did you e-file?  Did you click that big orange button that said “Transmit my returns now?”  If so, your return is now in “pending” on a server.  Do not try to change anything while your return is in pending. If your return is rejected you will be able to make corrections before re-filing.

 

The IRS will not be accepting/rejecting 2020 returns until Friday, February 12, 2021.  You need to watch your emails for the acceptance/rejection notice that may take until mid-February or later to arrive.   And watch your spam folder too.   There are a LOT of e-files on servers so it may be several days after the IRS opens before you get an email.

 

When you e-file your federal return you will receive two emails from TurboTax.  The first one will say that your return was submitted.  The second email will tell you if your federal return was accepted or rejected.  If you e-filed a state return, there will be a third email to tell you if the state accepted or rejected your state return.

 

A state return cannot be accepted until the federal return has been accepted.

 

 

 

https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/2021-tax-filing-season-begins-feb-12-irs-outlines-steps-to-speed-refunds-during-pandemic

**Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to offer the most correct information possible. The poster disclaims any legal responsibility for the accuracy of the information that is contained in this post.**
Level 2
February 16, 2021

So, when TurboTax sent me an email that said “Welcome to the front of the line” when I submitted my return early, that was a complete lie...  2/16 and still “pending”

Lorrraines0506
Level 5
February 16, 2021

Mine just said this on 2/11

 

TurboTax Update: Federal Return Accepted

Level 2
February 13, 2021

I'm in the same position. I don't know why my returns are still pending. I don't know it there's a problem with my return or if its taking longer because I have dependents. And I can't talk to anyone to help me figure it out!!

Level 2
February 13, 2021

Yup! Same here. I submitted mine on 2/4 and as of today it still says pending. There is no indication that Turbotax transmitted my return to the IRS yet. Turbotax was quick to take my money but slow to push the paperwork over to the IRS on 2/12 when they opened.

Level 2
February 21, 2024

I have the same problem. I have a feeling the Colorado return was not properly submitted by TurboTax!

Level 2
February 14, 2021

I filed on 1/31 and it's still pending.  Not sure if its just taking longer because I claimed my son or something is wrong.  

Level 2
February 14, 2021

Mine still pending n I did mine once I had my paper work since the 1st

Level 2
February 15, 2021

Mines still pending did anyone update to approved yet?

Level 2
February 16, 2021

I applied yesterday and I was accepted within 40 mins I was surprised

Level 5
February 16, 2021

Did you have earned income credit or child tax credit ? I’ve heard that holds it up a bit but I can’t figured out why the dates keep changing. 
My daughter filed a simple return and her’s was accepted the same day. I didn’t have that same luck. 

Level 2
February 16, 2021

I filed mine on 1/10,both on turbotax says pending, but when i go to the websites fto see my wheres my refund, it says that they have no record of my returns. 

VolvoGirl
Level 15
February 16, 2021

You have to wait for your returns to be accepted before they show up.  Watch your emails.

 

For the Online version check your efile status here     

https://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tools/efile-status-lookup/   

 

Then after the IRS accepts your return they pay most refunds within 21 days.

 

When you efile you get back 2 emails.  The first email only confirms the transmission.  The second email says if the IRS (or state) Accepted or Rejected your efile.

Level 5
February 16, 2021

I didn’t receive the email from TurboTax or the IRS stating my efile return had been received or transmitted but it does show that it was transmitted on 2/12. My “received by the IRS” date keeps changing. First it was received 2/12, then 2/13, and now 2/16. Each change of received date still shows pending. Has this happened before where people don’t get the emails they are told to expect? And why would my received date continue to change ?

Level 3
February 16, 2021

Filed on Feb 10. Still pending on Feb 16. No child, earned income credit.

Lorrraines0506
Level 5
February 16, 2021

My federal return was accepted by the IRS on 2/11/2021.  Mine still shows return received on the IRS track my refund.  

Level 15
February 16, 2021

How long ago was your e-file accepted?  

 

You may need to be more patient with a system that is overwhelmed,

 

https://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tools/efile-status-lookup/ 

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/2584108-why-is-there-no-record-of-my-return-at-where-s-my-refund-wmr?jump_to=answer_4242575

Sometimes people get confused by the “summary” given by TurboTax and use the wrong amount for the federal refund.  Make sure you are only using the federal refund amount, and not an amount that combined your federal and state refunds.  

 

Your federal refund amount is on line 34 of your Form 1040

 

https://www.irs.gov/refunds/tax-season-refund-frequently-asked-questions

**Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to offer the most correct information possible. The poster disclaims any legal responsibility for the accuracy of the information that is contained in this post.**
Level 3
February 16, 2021

Same here. Since neither my Fed or State have been accepted (no email from Turbotax I am highly suspicious  that there is not something on Turbotax end since my friend's (2) were already accepted by Utah and they file the same day I did with Turbotax (2/3)

Lorrraines0506
Level 5
February 16, 2021

Ya I didnt have any issues and got the email from Turbotax saying all my stuff was accepted on 2/11

Level 2
February 16, 2021

Same.  I filed first of February and still says pending.  My son filed after me and it is accepted.  Everyone I know who filed after me but before 2/12 has been accepted.  Lost?  I have a very simple return, so it isn’t that...  Exasperated that all TurboTax says is wait...  it’s been more than 48 hrs...

Level 2
February 17, 2021

We file on 2/1 as well - still pending.  This is holding up the purchase of a house that is otherwise ready to go.  Ridiculous.

Level 2
February 16, 2021

The date for my return

Lorrraines0506
Level 5
February 16, 2021

Well again I got a turbotax email saying my federal and state were accepted. I can check my refund status on the IRS refund site.  However my Minnesota State tax return says it was accepted but when I check their website it shows they haven't received anything.  Normally I don't have issues with filing through turbo tax since I have simple returns but I am wondering if it doesn't have to do with them accepting returns later this year.  Usually I can file by Jan 28th and have my refund by 2nd week of February but now since they weren't accepting returns until Feb 12 it makes me wonder. 

Level 3
February 16, 2021

Utah says they have not recieved an electronic filing for me. 

 

Lorraine, I have been using TurboTax since 2013, I have never before had an issue. If you read the posts the issue is too weird with State and Fed saying not recieved for me to trust in them. We get no resolution from talking to customer service. Maybe an email to our local news channel and newspaper will get them to do something except give us a run-around.

Level 5
February 17, 2021

I've learned one thing this tax year...NEVER file taxes early. I've used turbo tax for 8+ years and always filed a week or 2 after IRS begins accepting tax returns. I filed this year on 2/1/21 and my state return is still in "pending" status, 5 days after my federal return was accepted. 

 

My friend who lives in the same state filed via Turbotax yesterday 2/15/21 and both his returns were accepted immediately within the hour. He technically should be placed behind me in line but guess not?