I’m trying to sign my taxes and file but it won’t let me. Why?

[xmasbaby0]

Why?  The IRS will not be accepting returns until almost the end of January.  Click Review to see if some of your forms or schedules are not yet ready.

When can I file for 2019?

Even if you “e-file” your 2019 tax return, be aware that your return is just going to sit on a server waiting until the IRS begins to accept returns in late January.   If you discover that you need to change something, you will not be able to do it unless the IRS rejects your return.  If they accept it with your mistake, you will have to wait out the IRS and amend later after they fully process the return. (The 1040X form you will need does not become available until late February so you have to wait for that, too)  And amending takes about 4 months.  Amended returns have to be mailed; you can’t “fix” a mistake and e-file the correction.

Just hours after TurboTax started allowing users to e-file last year, we began to hear from people who were in such a rush to file that they made big mistakes and were then stunned to find out that they could not do anything to fix their mistakes for weeks, if not months.  Do you want to be one of them?

If you are getting Earned Income Credit or the additional child tax credit, the PATH act means you will not receive your refund until very late February/early March at best, no matter how early you file.

Tax preparation software cannot be finalized and become available to you until the IRS finalizes the forms and then goes through the process of approving the software.  Further, many states do not have their forms ready to use yet. Click on Review to see what forms you are still waiting for.

Employers have until the end of January to issue W-2’s.  You may also need to wait for your various kinds of 1099’s  and/or 1098’s to come from banks, Social Security, schools, and other financial institutions that will issue them in late January/early February. 

Trying to file too early is unwise. With new forms and new software, it is better to wait for the “bugs”  and “glitches” to be worked out before you file.  Filing too early because you hope for a quick refund may accomplish just the opposite—your return could end up clogged in a mess that will take weeks or even months to sort out, as many “early” filers have discovered in the past.

[murrm045]

I am having the same issue with 2019 taxes. Not 2020 taxes. It won't allow me to file for the prior year. 

[DoninGA]

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@murrm045  wrote:

I am having the same issue with 2019 taxes. Not 2020 taxes. It won't allow me to file for the prior year. 

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The TurboTax online editions are only for tax year 2020.  No one can file a 2020 tax return at this time since many of the 2020 Forms and Schedules have not been finalized by the IRS.

To complete and file a 2019 tax return using TurboTax you would need to purchase, download and install on a personal computer one of the 2019 desktop editions from this website - https://turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/past-years-products/

A 2019 tax return can only be printed and mailed, it cannot be e-filed.

[xmasbaby0]

@murrm045  First of all---what software are you using?  If you are trying to use the current online program for a 2019 return that is is BIG mistake.    Online is only for 2020 returns -- no other year.  You cannot e-file a 2019 return.   A 2019 return has to be prepared using 2019 software and it has to be printed, signed and mailed.

If you used online by mistake, clear it out and use the account for your 2020 return later.

CLEAR AND START OVER

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/2586254-how-do-i-clear-and-start-over

The current online program can only be used for a 2020 return--no other year.  And if you did not file a 2019 return you will have trouble e-filing 2020.  When it asks for your 2019 AGI try using zero.  If zero does not work then you have to print, sign and mail 2020.

Online preparation and e-filing for 2017, 2018 and 2019 is permanently closed.

To file a return for a prior tax year

If you need to prepare a return for 2017, 2018, or 2019 you can purchase and download desktop software to do it, then print, sign,  and mail the return(s)

https://turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/past-years-products/

You may also want to explore purchasing the software from various retailers such as Amazon, Costco, Best Buy, Walmart, Sam’s, etc.

Remember to prepare your state return as well—if you live in a state that has a state income tax.

When you mail a tax return, you need to attach any documents showing tax withheld, such as your W-2’s or any 1099’s.  Use a mailing service that will track it, such as UPS or certified mail so you will know the IRS/state received the return.

Federal and state returns must be in separate envelopes and they are mailed to different addresses.  Read the mailing instructions that print with your tax return carefully so you mail them to the right addresses.

Note:  The desktop software you need to prepare the prior year return must be installed/downloaded to a full PC or Mac.  It cannot be used on a mobile device.

If you are getting a refund, there is not a penalty for filing past the deadline.  If you owe taxes, the interest/penalties will be calculated by the IRS based on how much you owe and when they receive your return and payment. The IRS will bill you for this; it will not be calculated by TurboTax.