Why did Turbotax tell me to mail in my taxes this year instead of efile?

[Erik271]

I finished my taxes and was told to mail them in this year. I'd never done it before but it's so much more hassle. Turns out I can't even check to see if they've started processing until weeks after mailing them, meaning I'll be running up on the April deadline if something doesnt work out. I have two questions then. It was never explained to me why Turbotax said I must mail them this year. I trust them but would like to know the reason. Second, do I ask for an extension jist in case there's something wrong with my filing? I mailed mine in the second week of March.

[DawnC]

That is odd.   Did you select E-file when you went through the Filing Steps?  Do you remember seeing any messages regarding e-filing?   View your tax return to see if there are any forms or schedules that required paper filing?   The first page should be filing instructions; it may be able to provide some insight.  

Were there any significant changes to this year's return compared to previous years when you e-filed successfully?  

 Did you use TurboTax Online or Desktop?  

[Erik271]

Yes, I selected e-file, as I always do. Actuall;y, I did save a screenshot of why I was told I couldn't efile. There was an additional w-2 that came in from my wife's employee that was the result of a settlement against her employer. It reads" One of the W-2s doesn't have an amount in box 1 or the amount is less than $1...." That makes sense, as there was indeed nothing in box 1 of the additional W-2. And yes, I read I would be given instructions on how to mail it in, but no instructions were found on the first page of the tax return. I googled where to mail it and sent it in. But there's something about I can't check its status until weeks after mailing it in, which means I can't really know if it's been accepted until late March at the earliest. I always efile in early Feb so this feels more stressful than it has to be.

[RobertB4444]

That is annoying and unfortunately because of that W2 you did have to mail it.  There is no good news with tracking it other than if you owed money then the payment clearing will let you know that they got it and if you are owed money then the refund tracking tool will kick in at some point to let you know that they have the return.  

Here's the refund tracking tool.

On the upside even if the return is rejected for some weird reason it will be registered as having been timely filed.  So you are ok an that count.

@Erik271