topic I filed California tax return on 1/11/24. It is still pending on 1/17/24. Previous years have been within 48 hours. Why is my California state return still pending? in After you file

I filed California tax return on 1/11/24. It is still pending on 1/17/24. Previous years have been within 48 hours. Why is my California state return still pending?

sistax4 — Tue, 10 Feb 2026 09:55:59 GMT

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Re: I filed California tax return on 1/11/24. It is still pending on 1/17/24. Previous years have been within 48 hours. Why is my California state return still pending?

VolvoGirl — Wed, 17 Jan 2024 23:13:40 GMT

State won't be accepted until federal is accepted first. And the IRS won't start taking returns until Jan 29. So you will be waiting awhile. And I haven't heard of any states even ready to file yet.

Re: I filed California tax return on 1/11/24. It is still pending on 1/17/24. Previous years have been within 48 hours. Why is my California state return still pending?

sistax4 — Wed, 17 Jan 2024 23:20:04 GMT

Thank you. That answers my question. I knew the IRS was delaying until the 29th, but did not know the State waits until the same date. Very helpful.

Re: I filed California tax return on 1/11/24. It is still pending on 1/17/24. Previous years have been within 48 hours. Why is my California state return still pending?

VolvoGirl — Wed, 17 Jan 2024 23:27:30 GMT

It's not that state is waiting too, but that you can't efile state before federal is accepted. See this for more info.

You can file state before Federal but you have to mail state.

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/e-file/help/can-i-e-file-my-state-return-before-my-federal/00/25545

Re: I filed California tax return on 1/11/24. It is still pending on 1/17/24. Previous years have been within 48 hours. Why is my California state return still pending?

SteamTrain — Thu, 18 Jan 2024 00:13:10 GMT

Yep, if the IRS Rejects your filing, then the state isn't sent in.

That keeps you from having to amend the state if the changes you need to make for the IRS happen to change the State forms too.

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And there's a gazillion returns early-filed and piled up waiting....it might take the IRS a week or 10 days to wade thru them all...so don't expect yours to be processed on the 29th...you might luck out, but don't plan on it.