What does "Pending" mean? 

Pending simply means that your e-filed return is on its way and that the government hasn't accepted or rejected it yet.

If you e-filed your return in January, it'll stay in Pending status until the IRS starts processing the backlog of returns starting 1/27/20.  Some early filed returns may be pulled for system testing but not ALL will be pulled. 

After January, e-filed returns generally sit in Pending status for 24–48 hours before coming back as either Accepted or Rejected. Sometimes state returns stay in Pending for several days or even longer.

Keep calm and check back

Until your state or the IRS processes your return,  you may hear there's "no record found." That actually means the return's still being processed. Just check back in a few days.

Related Information:

• Can I cancel a pending return?
• Can I amend a pending return?
• Why doesn't the government have any record of my pending return?
• Why is my state e-file still pending?

IRS Announces the Start of E-File Test Batch(HUB Testing) for 2020

https://refundtalk.com/irs-announces-the-start-of-e-file-test-batchhub-testing-for-2020/

The government must be having serious problems. My taxes have been in pending status since January 31. I have never seen them lag so much. My tax situation is very strait forward. It's nice of them to take my return hostage.

The IRS will start processing returns on 2/12 this year. Once they begin processing returns you will see a status update.