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Returning Member
posted Feb 9, 2021 6:02:53 AM

Efiling 2020 Return

I know that the IRS isn't accepting returns until Friday, the 12th, but can I go ahead and efile my return now?

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7 Replies
Level 15
Feb 9, 2021 6:06:29 AM

Yes you can go ahead and e-file now.   Your return will be on the server until the IRS begins to accept/reject returns on 2-12.    Check it carefully before you e-file.  Once you e-file you cannot touch it if you discover that you made a mistake.

Returning Member
Feb 9, 2021 6:15:30 AM

Thanks!  I will do that (checking my return before efiling it).

Returning Member
Feb 11, 2021 9:10:47 AM

Wonder exactly when, on Friday, the 12th, TurboTax will release the tax returns on their server ... at midnight, Thursday night, or sometime during the day on Friday?

Level 15
Feb 11, 2021 9:35:17 AM

@cwd08051959 

 

May not be the 12th at all...could be anytime the whole week after.

 

The IRS computers cannot process the gazillion of files waiting all at once...in prior years it took about a week to catch up....and this year might be worse.   One year, they even had to stop for a few days to fix some processing problems.

 

Returning Member
Feb 11, 2021 9:51:57 AM

With the right computer system, they can.

 

Level 15
Feb 11, 2021 9:55:49 AM

@cwd08051959 Do a little googling on how old the IRS's computer system is.

Returning Member
Feb 12, 2021 5:21:48 PM

Yeah, I know ... have they got past the abacus yet??  BTW, Efiled my 2020 return yesterday afternoon ... still Pending a little over 24 hours later.