Why is my 2024 Illinois tax return not accepted?

[Takeimisa]

I moved from Los Angeles to Chicago in 2024, so I filed with both states in 2024 (in October 2025 with extension).

I just filed tax return for Illinois this year and it was rejected - so I went back and checked my Illinois return for 2024. I was surprised to see that it was never accepted - just filed, and then Turbotax had NO update on its state whatsoever. I don't even know what happened to my return!

Can some one help me about this? Is there anything that I can do? 

[xmasbaby0]

No one in the user forum knows why your 2024 IL return was rejected.   It is too late to e-file it, but you can file it now by printing and mailing it.   Illinois is pretty picky when it comes to e-filing; if you did not have an IL drivers license or IL state ID that could have prevented you from e-filing.    If you have trouble e-filing 2025, file it by mail.

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.

[Takeimisa]

Problem is that, for 2024, I never got the "third email" for Illinois. It was neither accpeted nor rejected, just hanging there for 6 months. I don't even know what the current status is. Can I do anything to know the status first?

[xmasbaby0]

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.

See if the state shows anything on the IL site:

To track your state refund:    

ttps://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/tax-refund/track-state-refund/L3jgO8PGs_US_en_US?uid=lt447ebr

https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/state-taxes/contact-state-department-rev...

[Takeimisa]

The status says "printed" - does that mean it was never filed?

If so, then I need to print and mail the 2024 Illinois return now (I have a refund for 2024 so there is no penalty)? Then do I need to do the same (print and mail) for my 2025 Illinois return?

Or, can I mail the 2024 return, once that is accepted, can I then e-file the 2025 return?

[xmasbaby0 · Accepted solution]

When you see "Printed" in your account, that means the return was not filed.   The only way to file it now is by mail.  

Mailed returns are not "accepted" in the way an e-file is accepted.  There is no penalty for filing after the deadline when you are getting a refund.    The state will simply receive your mailed return, and slowly process it.   Do not expect speed from IL.  

You can try to e-file your 2025 IL return; if e-filing does not work, then file it by mail.

[Takeimisa]

Thanks!

I believe to e-file for IL I need to have filed for IL in the previous year (needs the AGI).

Since IL will process my 2024 return slowly, I guess I will not be able to e-file 2025 before the 2024 is accepted (which will be slow).

As such, I will be mailing the return for both years. (I know it's one day late, but I was traveling on Apr 15)