Does it matter that my tax preparer put the wrong date where he signed? It was for my 2017 taxes and he dated 4/16/2015.

[kellerw69]

I had someone prepare my 2017 taxes.  I had to file an extension on 4-16-17. He finally says he sent them electronically in Dec 2017.  It is now March 2018 and still not refund.  When I go to track my refund nothing shows up with my AGI and ss#.  Upon further investigation, I notice I signed and dated the return 12-17-17 and he signed and dated 4-16-15.  I called him and he says he can't find the return on IRS website either and he said that him putting the wrong year will not matter.  I was wondering if it mattered or not?  looking at my return it has three different dates.  4-16-17  the day of extension., 12-17-17 the day we sent them, ad 4-16-15 the day he put after his signature.  

[DS30 · Accepted solution]

No - The date he used for his signature should not affect your return unless he did not file an additional extension beyond the ordinary 6 month extension period (which for a Form 1040 is Oct 15th).

If the return is dated Dec 17, 2017 then that will be considered the date related to the return. The fact that the return was filed more than 2 months after the original extension date would more likely be the reason for the delay.

Also find out if it was mailed certified or if he has any record of the filing.

[Critter]

He could not have efiled the 2016 return in December of 2017 since the efile system was closed by then for the change to the 2017 returns  and didn't reopen until 1/29/18 for efiling prior year returns.    Were you supposed to Mail in the return ?

[kellerw69]

No. I just went and got my copy today.   How interesting. When I got my copies today he said I may need to just mail them in cause I couldn’t efile then again.     And TurboTaxDeeS he gave me an efile submission report but it is dated 1/24/2018

[DS30]

Well the efile submission report should have a number on it related to your efiling. If he gave you a Form 9325 then that means your efiled return was accepted and a submission ID would be included. If you have this information, then you should (or have your CPA) contact the IRS directly and ask about this return.

[Critter]

Sounds like you caught him in a lie and he is paddling fast to keep ahead of the wake ... if he did efile the return the you should have a form 9325 showing the date of transmission  but the WMR? system will only give you 2017 info not 2016 info ... and the prior year return can take up to 12 weeks to process ... to check on where you are in the system you can contact the IRS ...

Call the IRS:  1-800-829-1040  hours 7 AM - 7 PM local time Monday-Friday
When calling the IRS do NOT choose the first option re: "Refund", or it will send you to an automated phone line.  
So after first choosing your language, then do NOT choose Option 1 (refund info).  Choose option 2 for "personal income tax" instead.
Then press 1 for "form, tax history, or payment".   
Then press 3 "for all other questions."
Then press 2 "for all other questions."  
There will be a brief pause. When it asks you to enter your SSN or EIN to access your account information, don't enter anything. After it asks twice, you will get another menu. Press 2 for personal or individual tax questions.
It will then put you in the queue for a live agent, and tell you the estimated wait time.