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New Member
posted Feb 11, 2021 7:02:37 AM

Why is my return still pending?

Why is my return still pending? I e-filed on 2/5/2021 and it is still Pending. I have never seen it take this long.

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1 Best answer
Level 15
Feb 11, 2021 7:06:16 AM

The IRS is not accepting returns until tomorrow Feb. 12th.  Your return will stay at Pending until the IRS pulls your return.

24 Replies
Level 15
Feb 11, 2021 7:06:16 AM

The IRS is not accepting returns until tomorrow Feb. 12th.  Your return will stay at Pending until the IRS pulls your return.

New Member
Feb 13, 2021 8:25:46 AM

My return is still pending. I filed on February 9, 2021. The IRS started accepting returns on the Feb. 12th and I’m wondering how long does it take to be accepted. I know plenty of people who filed before me through TT and their returns were accepted yesterday, even people who filed the day of IRS accepting and they were accepted the same day. What’s the hold up?

Level 1
Feb 14, 2021 6:16:33 AM

I have the same concern.  I filed in early February.  Supposedly Turbo Tax kept our "place in line" yet my return still says it's pending while others who filed after me are accepted?  And there's no place to get an answer other than asking other Turbo Tax users?  Hmmm.

Level 15
Feb 14, 2021 6:21:06 AM


@lottidah wrote:

I have the same concern.  I filed in early February.  Supposedly Turbo Tax kept our "place in line" yet my return still says it's pending while others who filed after me are accepted?  And there's no place to get an answer other than asking other Turbo Tax users?  Hmmm.


TurboTax does not transmit the tax return to the IRS.  TurboTax keeps the e-filed tax return on its servers awaiting the IRS to pull the federal tax return.  The IRS is in the process of pulling millions and millions of tax returns from servers throughout the country.  It will take several days for the IRS to complete the process of pulling the tax returns after the official start date of 02/12/2021.

Expert Alumni
Feb 15, 2021 8:24:08 PM

"Pending" means your return is on its way and in the queue waiting for the government to accept or reject. IRS started accepting tax returns three days ago on the 12th.  They are trying to process and approve as quickly as they can.  To learn more, click here: Pending

 

If you e-filed your return before February 12, it'll stay in Pending status until the IRS starts processing the backlog of returns.

Level 1
Feb 17, 2021 6:42:37 AM

@LinaJ2020 and @DoninGA Thank you for the responses.  I filed my taxes on 2/1.  I have still not received an acceptance or rejection as of 2/17.  Turbo Tax continues to tell me to check again in 48 hours.  Each time I wait 48 hours and check again, there are no changes.  In prior years, I would get an acceptance very quickly, so this is stressing me out with worry.  What do I do if I don't get an acceptance/rejection?  How long do I wait?!

Not applicable
Feb 17, 2021 9:33:53 AM

Since the IRS just began accepting returns February 12, 2021, it may take longer than the usual 24-48 hours, in some cases, for a individual's return to get accepted or rejected.  See this FAQ  regarding What does pending mean.

Level 1
Feb 17, 2021 10:23:21 AM

@Anonymous - thanks for repeating what was already said in this discussion.  I was really hoping for some additional information:

 

What do I do if I don't get an acceptance/rejection?  How long do I wait?!  Is two weeks the max?  Is two months?  Is two years?  How do I follow up on this?

Intuit Alumni
Feb 17, 2021 10:37:55 AM

Some returns will stay Pending for several days or even longer, especially with the IRS filing delay and backlog this tax season due to COVID closing the offices and leaving the IRS with very few employees working for the past year. The IRS has not stated how long returns can or will remain in pending status.

 

Please click IRS Operations During COVID-19: Mission-critical functions continue to learn more. 

Level 1
Feb 17, 2021 12:21:09 PM

@TerukoL Thank you.  I received a rejection about an hour after your response.  Seems there was a bug in the version of Turbo Tax that was causing a calculation problem.  I just refiled using the latest updates.  Crossing my fingers this time.  

 

 

Returning Member
Feb 17, 2021 1:35:51 PM

I filed both IRS and State on 1/31/21.  On 2/12/21 my IRS filing was accepted.  Still states pending on State.  When will you send it over to the State?  Phone call to you all says you send in batches.  George, from your staff, could not give me an estimate.  Seems ridiculous to have to wait even longer than I already have.  Can you at least give me an idea of when your "batching" will occur.

Intuit Alumni
Feb 17, 2021 1:54:39 PM

The processing of state refunds varies from state to state. Your state may not have started to accept e-filed returns just yet. Please see Why is my state e-file still pending? for additional information.

@luludanurse

Level 2
Feb 17, 2021 2:02:14 PM

File with a different tax preparer you will be glad I just got accepted and I’m done with this trash here called TurboTax 

Level 2
Feb 17, 2021 2:02:47 PM

Stop lying 

Level 6
Feb 25, 2021 7:12:47 PM

Message for  Tear1987 --

 

You said you ended up filing with a different tax preparer.  Who did you use? 

 

Thank you !

New Member
Mar 17, 2021 12:47:20 AM

Wow that's usual then why do I have to pay turbo tax when take it out of my check 

Expert Alumni
Mar 17, 2021 9:11:13 AM

If you selected to have your fees taken out of your refund, the request for payment does not appear.  So, if you have paid twice.  No problem, you can be reimbursed with proof of both payments.

Expert Alumni
Mar 17, 2021 9:11:14 AM

If you selected to have your fees taken out of your refund, the request for payment does not appear.  So, if you have paid twice.  No problem, you can be reimbursed with proof of both payments.

Expert Alumni
Mar 17, 2021 9:11:19 AM

If you selected to have your fees taken out of your refund, the request for payment does not appear.  So, if you have paid twice.  No problem, you can be reimbursed with proof of both payments.

Returning Member
Mar 31, 2021 3:47:00 PM

I filed my taxes In February  with Turbo Tax online.  I have still not received an acceptance or rejection as of 3/31.  Turbo Tax continues to tell me to check again in 48 hours.  Each time I wait 48 hours and check again, there are no changes.  In prior years, I would get an acceptance very quickly.  What do I do if I don't get an acceptance/rejection?  How long do I wait?!

Level 15
Mar 31, 2021 3:51:50 PM


@Demon19 wrote:

I filed my taxes In February  with Turbo Tax online.  I have still not received an acceptance or rejection as of 3/31.  Turbo Tax continues to tell me to check again in 48 hours.  Each time I wait 48 hours and check again, there are no changes.  In prior years, I would get an acceptance very quickly.  What do I do if I don't get an acceptance/rejection?  How long do I wait?!


What is the status of the e-filed tax return?  See this TurboTax support FAQ to check the e-file status - https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/return-status/help/how-do-i-check-my-e-file-status/01/25538

Returning Member
Mar 31, 2021 4:00:20 PM

That’s no help what’s so ever. 

Level 15
Mar 31, 2021 4:04:40 PM


@Demon19 wrote:

That’s no help what’s so ever. 


If you do not know the status of the tax return you filed you will not know if it was accepted or rejected.  Use the FAQ to find out the status.  What is the status?

Level 15
Mar 31, 2021 4:15:43 PM

@Demon19 Sign onto your online account - https://myturbotax.intuit.com/

The status of the tax return is shown for both Federal and State at the top of the Tax Home page