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MY RETURN IS IN PENDING—what does that mean?   You will not get any information from the IRS refund site while your return is in pending.  The IRS does not have your return yet.   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.On January  26  the IRS will begin to accept/reject e-files.  The IRS accepts a FEW returns in test batches ahead of January 26—-but that is very random.   Watch your emails—including your spam folder—for the notice about whether your e-file has been accepted or rejected.  If your return is rejected you will be able to make corrections before re-filing.   If the return you e-filed is accepted you will have to wait until it has been fully processed and then amend it to fix any mistakes or omissions.  It has been taking the IRS four to six months—sometimes longer—to process amended returns.   If you e-filed your state return there will be another email later that tells you if the state was accepted or rejected.   WARNING:   Do not try to change anything on your return while it is pending.   https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-announces-first-day-of-2026-filing-season-online-tools-and-  

If you and your spouse are separated and she filed her own "married filing separately" return, then you must also file as married filing separately.  It is important to understand the rules of filing MFS.      Both must file the same way---either you both use standard deduction or both itemize deductions such as mortgage interest, property tax etc.----you have to agree on how to split those up between you.   If there are children---who is the custodial parent?   Who is claiming the children as dependents?     You each need each other's SSN and must enter it on your own return.   If you are using online TurboTax you each need your own account and pay your own TT fees.         If I am filing a separate return why do I have to list my spouse’s information on my return? Even if you file separate returns (the worst way to file) you each have to list each other's SSN's and some other information on your own tax return.  The IRS can then cross check to make sure you are not "double dipping" for itemized deductions, dependents, etc.   If you are in a community property state, there is more information that will be needed. Community property states:  AZ, CA, ID, LA, NV, NM, TX, WA, WI   https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1901162-married-filing-separately-in-community-property-states   https://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tips/marriage/five-tax-tips-for-community-property-states/L4jG7cq7Z       HOW TO START A NEW RETURN TO FILE MARRIED FILING SEPARATELY     When you enter your own information in My Info, you have to answer the question "Were you married?"  If you click the button for Married, then a drop down will appear that asks, "Do you want to file this return together with your spouse?”   Your answer needs to be NO.   Then it will ask for information about your spouse—-their name and SSN which you must enter.   EACH spouse has to file their own separate return.   And you have to follow all of the rules which include that if one of you enters itemized deductions, the other one must also itemize.  Or…you both use standard deduction.  If you are in a community property state there are additional rules and more information to enter.    

Paying your fee did not file your tax return.   You had to go all the way through the steps of the FILE section and click a big orange button that said "Transmit my returns now"----if you did not do that yourself, you did not e-file.   DID YOU E-FILE?   Did you e-file?   Did you go through all three steps of the FILE section and click a big orange button that said “Transmit my returns now?”     When you e-file your return you will get two emails from TurboTax.  The first one will say your return has been transmitted; the second one will tell you the IRS has accepted  or rejected your federal e-file.  If you filed a state return, there will be a third email (usually a day or two later) that tells you if the state e-file was accepted or rejected.   Check your e-file status:   https://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tools/efile-status-lookup/    What does it say in your account?  Does it show that the return was accepted?   Or does it say something else---like "rejected," "printed," or "ready to mail?”   If you discover or realize that your e-file was rejected or just never filed, you will need to print it, sign and date it in ink, and file it by mail now, since e-filing is closed for returns for tax year 2024.    

Sorry---you can no longer use TurboTax to prepare a 2021 return.  2021 software is no longer available nor is it supported or provided with updates even if you can find it on eBay etc.   Any refund for tax year 2021 has been forfeited.   It is too late to get the 2021 stimulus money.   If you did not work----what income were you trying to enter on a 2021 return?  Were you receiving unemployment benefits?   Unemployment benefits can be taxable on your federal and on some state returns, so it is possible for you to owe.  If you owe, it will be with late filing penalties and interest.   You can use paper forms from the IRS to prepare a 2021 return, google other tax software that might still be available for 2021, or seek local paid tax help     Here is the IRS 2021 Form 1040 https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/f1040--2021.pdf or if you want bigger type use 1040SR for Seniors, https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/f1040s--2021.pdf   And 2021 Instructions https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/i1040gi--2021.pdf 2021 Tax and EIC Tables https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/i1040tt--2021.pdf Sch 1 : https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/f1040s1--2021.pdf Sch 2 : https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/f1040s2--2021.pdf Sch 3 : https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/f1040s3--2021.pdf