cancelling returns

[csmith1120]

I have been told once returns show pending i cannot cancel and use another company,,i am scheduled for serious surgery in 7 days and want this tax crap done as i have a high chance of not making it through surgery,,what will happen if i sue hr block or taxslayer and file,,does pending mean turbo tax has actually sent returns to IRS

[xmasbaby0]

"pending" means the return has been e-filed and is waiting for the IRS to pull it from the server and either accept or reject it.  If accepted, the IRS will process the return.  If the return is rejected, the IRS will not be processing the return unless it is fixed and re-filed or sent in by mail.

The IRS will only accept one tax return from a Social Security number, so if you e-file using another tax software---the first one accepted is the first one that will be processed.  Any other return submitted with that same SSN will be automatically rejected.

[Mike9241]

It's not Turbotax holding up acceptance of the return. It's the IRS. Even if you could cancel and file with another provider, you again would face delays in getting it accepted. 

[Opus 17]

When you transmit your return, it goes to a "data warehouse" (a server someplace) where it waits for the IRS to download it.  This should happen in less than 24 hours.  If there is a delay, it is usually because of the IRS, but I am not convinced that every delay is due to the IRS, there seems to be some delays that might be due to Turbotax, but I can't prove that and have no official information either way.

If you e-filed a second return using another service, it would also go to a data warehouse.  (There might be only one server, or each company might have their own, I don't even know that.)  Whichever return is downloaded first by the IRS will be processed, the second one will be rejected as a duplicate.

So you could (probably) e-file a return with a second company and see what happens.  There's no way to know which return the IRS will ultimately take first. However, if you paid to use Turbotax, and it was the Turbotax return that was taken second and rejected, you probably would not be given a refund.  (You would have to call customer support and make a case.)

[taxlady28]

Pending means your returns are sent to the IRS and that the IRS has not accepted or rejected them.  If you decide to file with another company it will no go through and be accepted by the IRS because your social security number will already have been used with the TurboTax filing.

[Opus 17]

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@taxlady28 wrote:

Pending means your returns are sent to the IRS and that the IRS has not accepted or rejected them.  If you decide to file with another company it will no go through and be accepted by the IRS because your social security number will already have been used with the TurboTax filing.

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If a return filed with company A is still "pending" the IRS doesn't yet have the SSN associated with a filed tax return.  A second return filed with company B could be accepted if the IRS pulls the B return before pulling the A return.   Then the A return would be rejected as a duplicate.  However, there is no way the customer can control which return will be processed by the IRS first.

[csmith1120]

WHY is IRS holding up returns,,it seems to be happening alot..when will we have a def answer,,one place says its tirbo tax baug or palce says its IRS not accepting form,,my return didnt require the form

[xmasbaby0]

@csmith1120 Not sure what you mean by "holding up returns"----you filed a tax return on a Form 1040.  The IRS will process that tax return, and when they finish processing it they will send you your refund.     TurboTax cannot speed up the IRS for you.   Many returns take several weeks to be processed; some take longer for various reasons.  You can check the IRS refund site to see if there are any messages there about your own refund.

First, check your e-file status to see if your return was accepted: 

https://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tools/efile-status-lookup/

Once your federal return has been accepted by the IRS, only the IRS has any control.  TurboTax does not receive any updates from the IRS. Your ONLY source of information about your refund now is the IRS.

You need your filing status, your Social Security number and the exact amount  (line 35a of your 2023 Form 1040) of your federal refund to track your Federal refund:   

https://www.irs.gov/refunds

To track your state refund:    

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1899433-how-do-i-track-my-state-refund

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1901548-why-do-some-refunds-take-longer-than-others

If you chose to have your TurboTax fees deducted from your federal refund, that will take some extra time, while the third party bank handles the refund processing.

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/2580357-who-provides-the-refund-processing-service

https://www.irs.gov/refunds/tax-season-refund-frequently-asked-questions

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/2840013-does-accepted-mean-my-refund-is-approved

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/2724106-my-return-is-accepted-but-still-not-approved-is-there-a-pr...

If you are getting earned income credit on line 27 or additional child tax credit on line 28 You are subject to the delay required by the PATH act.  Do not expect your refund earlier than late February.

https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/internal-revenue-service/federal-refunds...

https://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tips/irs-tax-return/what-is-the-path-act-and-how-may-it-impact-your-...