What does it mean when it says ready to mail

[Janice2020]

Re: What does it mean when it says ready to mail

[xmasbaby0]

@Janice2020 It helps to read the information in a thread before posting a question that has already been asked and answered in the thread,  But here you go:

“Ready to mail”or “Printed”  means that your tax return has not been filed.  Either you could not e-file for some reason , or you chose to file by mail.  OR if you really did already mail your return, the software does not have any way to know that you put your return in an envelope and took it to a mailbox, so it will always say “ready to mail” in your online account.

TurboTax does not mail your return for you.  You have to print it, sign it, and mail it yourself.  When you mail a tax return, you need to sign it where it says "Sign Here" and write in the date you signed it by the word "Date".  Attach copies of your W-2 and any other documents that show taxes withheld to the left side of the papers where it says "Attach Forms..."

When you print your return, it will print with filing instructions that tell you where to mail it.  Pay careful attention to the address you mail your return to —federal and state returns do not get mailed to the same place.

It is not required, but is a good idea, to use a mailing service that will track your return or provide you with a receipt showing that the IRS got it--such as Fedex, UPS, or certified mail.  It will take about 4 weeks and then you can track the status of your return at the IRS website.

You can print your return by following the instructions below

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/printing/help/how-do-i-print-and-mail-my-return-in-turbotax-online...

To send your tax return by mail and get a receipt to see that the IRS and/or your state received it:

https://www.usps.com/taxes/welcome.htm

To track your Federal refund:   

https://www.irs.gov/refunds

To track your state refund:    

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1899433

On the IRS site you are also offered the use of an app called IRS2Go

To change to e-filing:

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/3399683-how-do-i-change-from-mail-to-e-file-in-turbotax-online?jum...

[thekiister]

"Turbotax doesn't submit information to the IRS just through preparing, does it?"

This is my exact question. I have also failed to e-file due to no income. TurboTax says "ready to be mailed" and I am totally unsure whether I can just go start a new one somewhere else, or if I have to deal with the information I have given to TurboTax (I can't clear & start over on TurboTax because I already "paid" for the free edition). 

[CarissaM]

@thekiister If you did not e-file your return nor mailed in the return, then your return has not been filed. 

In order to e-file, Turbo Tax needs you to submit the return, they would not submit on your behalf. 

If you need additional assistance, you can contact customer support by clicking here. 

[SaniiaPayne]

Is there a possible way to change my CA State refund to electronically  instead of printing and mailing it ? 

[librewolf]

You can have more than one return. You just need to save it as a different file name. You just start a new return. I've done this when an import did not go correctly. Much easier to start all over than to try and figure out what did and did not get written into TurboTax.

[MichelleLO]

Yes. You can switch to e-filing as long as you have not mailed your return. Please see the below TurboTax Help Article for instructions. 

How do I change from mail to e-file in TurboTax Online? 

@SaniiaPayne

[servatius10]

I can't find the File Tab in the top left, and I already expanded my screen.

[Katina S]

Are you using the desktop or online version of TurboTax?

@servatius10

[servatius10]

Desktop 

[HeatherPLO]

Please try the steps here to troubleshoot blank screens, missing buttons, or missing images. 

@ervatius10

[Caleb909]

what does it mean when it says ready to mail