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

[dommerpw]

My New Mexico, NM return was just accepted. Hurray!!

I efiled it on Feb 14. So, it took 16 days.

[icecman]

After 17 days my NM state return was just accepted and within 5 minutes I got a call from the Presidents office telling me everything is done. All four returns. I also now have a tracking number to give the IRS to find the Fed return filed 17 days ago that they cannot find. It only took 17 days to do e-filing. I think paper/mailed returns are in my future.

[mslatinlady]

IceCMan:

Thank the Lord yours have finally been accepted.  I know that the IRS "Check My Refund Status" is also having issues.  I got my refund already 2 weeks ago and the IRS status says it's "Processing" and will notify me of a date I'll get my refund.  Crazy ! 

Next year I'll read all the posts and then decide who I'll use.  Like I said, I've used Turbotax for 10 years and this is the FIRST time I encountered a problem.

I thank the Lord that He took care of me (and you too).  Too bad GabiU just stopped communicating.  I wonder what happened to her?

Well, have a great and blessed evening !

[mesquitebean]

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@ icecman wrote:

After 17 days my NM state return was just accepted and within 5 minutes I got a call from the Presidents office telling me everything is done. All four returns. I also now have a tracking number to give the IRS to find the Fed return filed 17 days ago that they cannot find. It only took 17 days to do e-filing. I think paper/mailed returns are in my future.

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Great news!    BTW, if your state return was accepted, then it means your Federal return would have also been accepted first in order for the state returns to be.

Be aware, for future reference, that paper returns (were you to go that route) require at least 6 weeks to receive a Federal refund, and that's in a normal year.   Last year with the height of the Pandemic, 2019 paper returns were stacked in bins and trailers at the IRS for several months until they started processing again around July.  Many had 6-9 month delays or longer, and some may still be processing now.    Since they only started processing 2020 returns on February 12, it's not clear yet how fast they are processing 2020 paper returns, but they are likely still working short-staffed due to the Pandemic and paper returns could again take longer than usual, although hopefully not as long as last year.

[mslatinlady]

I wouldn't do paper returns.  If I don't use Turbotax next year, maybe I'd do H&R Block.   Or FreeTaxUSA as some on this thread have used.  However, I do prefer using a software CD and working on my taxes on my own computer, not on someone else's server. 

[icecman]

mslatinlady:

I have to chuckle a little bit. I've used 'paper' for almost 50 years with no problems. The first 15 years without even a computer software program to choose the forms and do the calculations. Guess I just dated myself.

[mslatinlady]

IceCman

You are TOO MUCH !  Up until 10 years ago, I had always done paper returns BY HAND !!  Remember the days when the Fed and State used to mail us the booklets ?  I started using Turbotax 10 years ago and it was just so easy to answer the questions and voila, my returns were done !  And e-filing was so easy.  This year's problems will hopefully have taught TurboTax a good lesson to BE PREPARED NEXT YEAR !   Anyway, you made me smile!  The Lord bought us through another tax year so we can rest now.  Have a blessed night....

[macuser_22]

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@icecman wrote:

mslatinlady:

I have to chuckle a little bit. I've used 'paper' for almost 50 years with no problems. The first 15 years without even a computer software program to choose the forms and do the calculations. Guess I just dated myself.

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LOL - I guess we are all dating ourselves.   I have always said that if you cannot  fill out a paper return you should not be using tax software that does the "heavy" work and makes it simpler, but does not substitute for the basic knowledge of filling out a tax return by hand. 

Maybe that is why I spend so much time answering simple tax questions!!

[Dan106]

This is weird, my California got accepted within an hour (2/24), yet I never got an email that my Fed has been accepted.  Someone earlier if the Fed isn't accepted, then neither is the State.  So at this point I have no idea what's going on with my return.

[Dan106]

So since I used TurboTax desktop, there's no way for me to check my return status?

[mesquitebean]

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@ Dan106 wrote:

This is weird, my California got accepted within an hour (2/24), yet I never got an email that my Fed has been accepted. Someone earlier if the Fed isn't accepted, then neither is the State. So at this point I have no idea what's going on with my return.

So since I used TurboTax desktop, there's no way for me to check my return status?

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I assume you are referring to the efile status.

Launch your desktop TurboTax program.

Open your return.   It may tell you the efile status of your returns upon opening it.

If not, do this:

With the return open, go to the top left corner of the TurboTax interface and click on FILE.

In the menu, choose "Electronic Filing"

In the next menu choose "Check Electronic Filing Status."

Are you due a Federal refund?   If so, and if the above shows your Federal return was accepted, you can use IRS "Where's My Refund" tool to monitor the Federal refund.

https://www.irs.gov/refunds

NOTE:  It's not uncommon to not get an email about acceptance/rejection.  I myself have had that problem a couple of times and never figured out why.  But check your email's spam/junk folder and also any other email accounts, just in case.

[Vannahh]

I efiled 02/17/2021 and mine still says IRS accepted my return, but pending. It's now 03/01/2021. What gives? I'm in WA State

[mesquitebean]

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@ Vannahh wrote:

I efiled 02/17/2021 and mine still says IRS accepted my return, but pending. It's now 03/01/2021. What gives? I'm in WA State

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I'm having trouble understanding all of that the way it's phrased.  I'm not sure what site "mine" refers to or where exactly you are seeing the word "pending."   You may need to explain it differently, but first let's try walking through it in order this way:

Did you use Online TurboTax?  If so, log in and look at your Tax Home.  What status is showing for the efiled Federal return; i.e., which of these terms is displayed--pending, accepted, rejected, printed, or what?

If the Tax Home is showing a status of "accepted", it will always show the status as "accepted."   That refers only to the efile status.  TurboTax does not get any feedback from the IRS as your return moves through processing at the IRS or afterwards. 

If the Tax Home is showing "accepted", then if you are due a Federal refund, what is displayed when you use the "Where's My Refund" tool at this IRS website?

https://www.irs.gov/refunds

[Kmedkeff]

Turbo tax says my return was accepted but on the irs website(irs.gov) it says it’s still pending with no bars. What does this mean??

[mslatinlady]

Dan106

Try going to the IRS website and use the Check Your Refund Status.  Although the IRS is also having issues updating their website (there's a big yellow notice on top of their front page), at least you'll be able to see if the IRS has "Accepted" your return.  Praying for all of you !!