I printed out a copy of my taxes for my records. Now it is saying “ready to mail” does that mean I need to mail my taxes somewhere for them to actually be “filed”?

[fanfare]

In TurboTax's world, "ready to mail" means ready for you to mail.

[mesquitebean]

@ dalton20021968  wrote:  "I printed out a copy of my taxes for my records. Now it is saying “ready to mail” does that mean I need to mail my taxes somewhere for them to actually be “filed”?

You said you printed the return "for your records."    How are you actually wanting to file your return?   Are you wanting to efile?    Did you try to efile but didn't complete the efiling process to actually submit it?

If so, as long as you haven't actually mailed it, you can still go back into your return to the FILE section and change the filing method to efile if you want to submit electronically.

You shouldn't file by printing and mailing unless it's a last resort.   It can delay processing of your return by weeks to months, and exposes it to the possibility of manual entry errors by some IRS clerk that inputs the data.

**********

NOTE:  See the Addendum I left you in my next comment on this page on how to change filing methods (if desired.)

[mesquitebean]

@dalton20021968 

ADDENDUM:

Here's some more info that might help.

If you DO want to change from "file by mail" to efiling, here's how to do that as long as you haven't already mailed it.

• Log into your account, and at the Tax Home or in the section "Your Tax Returns & Documents" for 2021, look for a link "Add a State."
• Click on "Add a State."  (That doesn't really add one; that's just to open the return.)
• Once the return is open, if needed you can make any changes in your return you need to, since it has not been filed.
• Then go through the REVIEW section to be sure everything is still in order.
• Then go to the FILE section, go through the screens there, and change the filing method to efile.
• Then continue on answering all the remaining screens and at the final step click a big orange button "Transmit Returns Now."

This FAQ may also have some info that will help:

FAQ:  How do I change from mail to efile in Online TurboTax?

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/e-file/help/how-do-i-change-from-mail-to-e-file-in-turbotax-online...