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GabiU
Level 13
February 18, 2021
Question

Why is my return still pending? (updated 3-16-21)

  • February 18, 2021
  • 133 replies
  • 6 views

***Closing thread 3/16. 
Users are experiencing an accepted return with TurboTax and a pending status with the IRS. The IRS is doing its best to keep up with this year's circumstances. Please refer to the IRS Website: https://www.irs.gov/refunds for updates on your personalized situation. 

2-26 Update: Why is my return still pending (With TurboTax?) 
Earlier this tax season, many people noticed that their return was "pending" for more than the average 48 hours. This pending status meant we noticed an issue that may have caused your return to be rejected and did an extra review to assess the reason it was flagged, resolved it for you, or identified what you needed to do to ensure everything is accurate and your return is accepted.  

 

---the majority of users should have seen a rejected or accepted status since that time. 

New Mexico State, as of (2/26) is currently experiencing a backlog building up. This week, they are increasing the volume of returns retrieved, and expect to clear the pending backlog within the next few days.

If you are not filing with New Mexico and it's been 48 hours since you've submitted your return, please comment on this thread. 

Check out this FAQ: Why is my return still pending?

 

    133 replies

    Level 2
    February 18, 2021

    I initially submitted my return electronically on 2/15/21.  I didn't include the IP PIN issued to me by the IRS because I wasn't prompted by Turbo Tax to enter it and at the time I didn't know where it was supposed to be entered.  My Federal return was rejected because the PIN had not been entered and therefore, the California state return was rejected because the Federal return had not been accepted.  I then resubmitted my return the same day with the IRS IP PIN.  The Federal return was subsequently accepted but the California State return has been pending since 2/15/21.

    Level 2
    February 22, 2021

    This seems to be an newly discovered issue this year. Don't worry, its a software issue. Your return will be subsequently rejected; just complete the deduction and credit section again and resent it. This should do the trick.  

    Level 2
    February 18, 2021

    Filed California return on 02/13/2021

     

    Still says "Pending"

     

    Turbo Tax stated that California will usually accept within 24-48 hours....

     

    Still nothing...  California says they have no record of the return being filed. 

    Level 2
    February 18, 2021

    Same here. Filed both the Fed and CA State return on Feb 12th. The Fed return was accepted on the 13th and the State return is still pending. It is impossible to reach a live person from TurboTax to explain what the problem is. I also called the State Tax Board and they are blaming TurboTax, saying that they do not have records of my filing. Terrible customer service from TurboTax!

    March 2, 2021

    Mine was “accepted” on February 14 according to Turbo Tax and still doesn’t even show upon IRS2GO app or website. Tried every day since. Nothing still. Called last weekend and the person at TT said “mine shows up so I’m not sure. Call the IRS.” Yeah glad HIS shows up. SMH seems like an issue with TT not IRS. 

    Level 2
    February 18, 2021

    I just received the notification from Intuit that my state tax return was rejected; "We've identified a potential issue in your California return due to an error in our software." I followed the instructions, checked the relevant parts of my federal return, then re-calculated and resubmitted my state return. We'll see what happens. 

    Level 2
    February 19, 2021

    Ya, please let us know if you have any luck! I'll be re-submitting mine when I get home.

    Level 2
    February 19, 2021

    I had same "error" rejection issue with my CA state return an I refiled this morning, following the email prompt, and CA still pending. In all the years prior I had acceptance within minutes of submission so looks like more of the same... 😞 

    Level 2
    February 19, 2021

    I have also just received a message that my CA return had an error after submitting and waiting about 5 days. Looks like you guys at TurboTax have a common error. I hope I don't have to pay again to e-file...

    Level 2
    February 19, 2021

    @darkwing777 , I did not have to pay to e-file again. 

    Level 2
    February 19, 2021

    My Virginia Efile is still sitting at 'PENDING' since 2/15/21.  Seems multiple people in various states are having the same issue.

    Level 2
    February 19, 2021

    I received an Email saying my va state was rejected due to problem with turbo tax not having right form for a Charity. Told me it would be Mar 11 before they would have form. I can't get on the turbo tax site and when I do going to remove the charity deduction (240). not worth the wait.

    Level 2
    February 19, 2021

    My Federal was accepted, and after 6 days, Turbotax sends me a message saying that my California return was rejected due to an error in the software.  The e-mail advises that I should open my return, and that

    "Once you've opened your return in TurboTax, the details about what's causing the problem will be displayed."  

     

    Nothing is displayed - there is no information as to how to fix the problem.  I went to my account with the CA Tax Board, and it just says the return has not been received.

     

    I've generally had a decent experience with Turbotax, so it is concerning that they are not on top of these kind of errors.

     

     

    Level 2
    February 19, 2021

    According to her message, though not 100% clear, it appears that the returns didn't go directly to CA. Maybe they figured out the error already and kicked them back, so we could fix, and re-submit. They need to update their text message to say that TurbeTax rejected and not the state. 

    Level 2
    February 19, 2021

    Gabi,

      I efiled thru my PC TurboTax Deluxe subscription (not online subscription) last week, I believe on 2/9/2021.

     

    My understanding:

    Federal not accepting until Friday 2/12/2021, and that states will not accept a return until Federal Return is filed and accepted.

     

    Federal Accepted Sat, Feb 13, 12:09 AM

    Idaho Accepted Feb 15, 2021, 4:26 PM (which I believe is approx. 64 hrs, 24 minutes after Federal accepted)I never received a notice of any delay or hiccups in the filing after 48 hr’s as you noted in your post.

    California STILL PENDING.  (which now is right at about 137 hr’s after Federal accepted).

    I’ve received no email or notice of any kid from TurboTax, but do certainly see MANY posts of issues with TurboTax CA return delays and ALL seem to be customers such as myself who efiled to TurboTax before the 2/12/2021 date that Federal returns would begin to be accepted.

     

    This would be a contradiction to your statement posted here that Turbotax will be  sending me an email within 48 hours with confirmation that your return has been filed, or instructions for any additional steps that need to be taken to ensure an accurate return is filed, accepted.  At 137 hours now since Federal was accepted, this is more than twice the 48 hour mark indicated.  I purchase this program, AND this year purchased Audit Protection due to moving states, and medical deductions itemized.  But now I’m spending more time than I would making the return manually on paper. It would be great if we could receive a better answer.

     

    I have opened my PC based Turbotax Deluxe numerous times since filing and have seen 2 CA state SW Updates to the software; no change in refund numbers – but CA STILL PENDING.

     

    In this day and age you have all our email addresses and TurboTax should be more Proactive and email update us daily, so loyal customers are not spending their time, on top of money already spent for this program trying to find out why there is a delay / problem.

     

    I’ve lost count the years I’ve been a customer.  I’d appreciate accurate reasoning on what to expect, and reasonable updates from TurboTax.

     

    Thank you, MAC

    Level 2
    February 19, 2021

    My 2020 New York State Return is still pending. I sent my Returns to TurboTax on Feb 1, 2021. I didn't know IRS was not opened until Feb 12, 2021. My Federal Tax Return was accepted by IRS on Feb 11, 2021, one day earlier. A week later, My NY State Return is still pending. I didn't receive any email to tell me what do I need to do next from Turbo Tax. Please Help...

    Level 2
    February 19, 2021

    My nys filing is also still pending with no explanation,  why?

    Level 2
    February 19, 2021

    I am from NY and it had been over 48 hours and no e-mail as to why it is still pending. Is there a problem with NY filings as well?  When can I expect to hear what the issue is?

    Level 3
    February 19, 2021

    @TakNYTaxesI filed my taxes yesterday Feb 18th. I got an email last night from TurboTax (not from NYS) that my NY State return was rejected. Next to the reason why it was blank. When I went into the program, it said it was rejected and again, next to Problem: it was blank. I went back and changed a few things I thought may have flagged it, like the NYC retirement pension. There was a problem with that initially, and I had to click Federal pension to get the state exclusion. After saving, I re e-filed last night. Now it is pending.

    GabiU
    GabiUAuthor
    Level 13
    February 19, 2021

    @MAC61 @TakNYTaxes You've made valid points causing me to update the wording above. Thank you for your patience. 

    @Stuart11_2 Please make sure your software is updated. Thanks for reporting back. 


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    Level 2
    February 19, 2021

    Gabi,

      Thank you for the reply.

     

    Since posting earlier this afternoon/Evening, I received both text message and email from Turbotax to indicate CA state taxes were rejected,  Text pointed me to email, and email detailed:

     

    What happened
     
    CA_Itemized - We've identified a potential issue in your California return due to an error in our software.
     
    Next step
     
    We'll help you update this on your 2020 California Personal return and e-file.
     
     
    To update your return
     
    Once you've opened your return in TurboTax, the details about what's causing the problem will be displayed.
     
    From there we can walk you through making the updates you need and help you e-file your return. If we're unable to resolve the errors and e-file again, we'll help you get your return filed by mail.

     

    Once I opened TurboTax it wants you to check for SW updates for the program, since mine were updated earlier in the day the program moved on.  Program had me go to Federal Taxes, I believe OTHER DEDUCTIONS section for things like tax preparation deductions, moving expenses, etc - which I had nothing to add or enter.

     

    Program then goes to have Federal review, and then once that checked good, had me complete a CA state review, and that checked good.

     

    At that point it walks you thru efiling again and system automatically sees Federal as being sent previously, and Idaho being sent previously.  With the CA return efiling for the 2nd attempt - everything previously entered for Driver License, Banking acct's, etc were still present and it was basically having me mouse click through to resubmit the CA taxes, which were again sent out successfully 2/18/2021 at 8:59 PM.

     

    So in all, a Software glitch that TurboTax software engineers would have needed obvious time to correct, and test before updating the main system and getting this far again.  I get it, and most reasonable customers will as well.

     

    HOWEVER - Hopefully in the future, when a customer is affected by a SW glitch / fix which understandably can occur - it would save a lot of our time if we were alerted early on.  AT my age I don't need to be head scratching - hair is already pretty thin on top.

     

    Anyway, that's MY update to the forum.

     

    Thank you again, MAC

    Level 2
    February 19, 2021

    @MAC61 Thank you for sharing your detailed findings. I just want to confirm to TurboTax that I am experiencing the exact same outcome here.