why were my taxes submitted last year from turbotax if I never submitted them?

[BenyoliDarline05]

I tried filing my taxes on my own last year in 2024, but I knew my total refund came out wrong it was too low so I never continued and definitely never submitted that I just exited out. So when I went to do my taxes in person with somebody else she said a file had already been submitted from turbotax. I never got my proper refund and I’m still going to try to fix that.

[xmasbaby0]

Your tax return prepared using TurboTax could not be e-filed unless you clicked a big orange button that said "Transmit my returns now."   No one else has access to your account; the software does not click that button by itself.  So...sounds like you e-filed without realizing that you were doing that.   The IRS cannot accept a second return with your SSN on it, so any other attempts to e-file a 2023 return would have been rejected last year, as the preparer explained to you then.

If mistakes were made on the return you filed last year, you can amend the 2023 return.

What does the IRS refund site say about your 2023 return?

You need your filing status, your Social Security number and the exact amount  (line 35a of your 2023 Form 1040) of your federal refund to track your Federal refund:   

https://www.irs.gov/refunds

[BenyoliDarline05]

I couldn’t have submitted them though even by accident because when I check on the turbotax app and website for any last files I’ve submitted nothing shows up it says no documents or anything were filed for any years prior. I’ve tried checking my refund status but since I don’t know the refund amount that it came to when I was filling on my own which I knew was too low I can’t access it. I have no way to check on what that refund came out to since there’s nothing on file on turbotax. 

[xmasbaby0]

I cannot explain or fathom what was done for your 2023 return.  That tax preparer was getting back a rejection for duplicate use of your SSN---which means something was filed using your SSN.

You could use the account recovery tool to search for the return you started last year:

Many people have multiple TT accounts and forget how to access them.  Log out of the account you are in now.

https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/account-management/many-intuit-accounts-...

Account Recovery

See if you can find the original return and then use whatever is on it to check the IRS refund site.

If nothing shows up on the refund site:

What you do need to understand at this point is that e-filing is permanently closed for 2023 returns.   If you started a 2023 return using TurboTax and did not finish it or file it, you can find it and finish it by using the desktop software on a full PC or Mac, and then you can mail it in.

Or---you can just start all over using desktop.

You cannot change the tax year.   The current online program is for 2024 only.   Only a 2024 return can be prepared online and only a 2024 return can be e-filed.

Online preparation and e-filing for 2021, 2022, and  2023 is permanently closed.

Note:  The desktop software you need to prepare the prior year return must be installed/downloaded to a full PC or Mac.  It cannot be used on a mobile device.

To file a return for a prior tax year

 If you need to prepare a return for 2021, 2022, or 2023  you can purchase and download desktop software to do it, then print, sign,  and mail the return(s)

https://turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/past-years-products/

You may also want to explore purchasing the software from various retailers such as Amazon, Costco, Best Buy, Walmart, Sam’s, etc.

Remember to prepare your state return as well—if you live in a state that has a state income tax.

https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/state-taxes/contact-state-department-rev...

When you mail a tax return, you need to attach any documents showing tax withheld, such as your W-2’s or any 1099’s.  Use a mailing service that will track it, such as certified mail so you will know the IRS/state received the return.

Federal and state returns must be in separate envelopes and they are mailed to different addresses.  Read the mailing instructions that print with your tax return carefully so you mail them to the right addresses.

[RobertB4444]

It is also possible that you were a victim of identity theft.  You should create an IRS account and see what was filed in your name for last year.

Here's where to create that account.

Identity theft is becoming annoyingly common with tax returns.  The IRS has an identity theft department.  If you check the tax return online and don't recognize any of the details then you should contact them.

Here is how to contact the IRS about identity theft.

@BenyoliDarline05