@heinrich51 Here is what happens :
(a) when you e-file a return ( to the IRS for example ), TurboTax transmits the return to a holding tank ( kind of ), from which the IRS picks up the file , make sure it is clean, checks that it can be processed, and then if so leaves an acknowledgement " Accepted" ; TurboTax then picks up this "Accepted" status and ends an email to you telling you of the status. Same thing happens if the return is rejected. Thus it knows your return status. Thereafter you can find the status of processing by going to the IRS site and looking for "Where is My Refund" page. TurboTax is not allowed to keep checking the progress of the processing , because of confidentiality rules imposed by the IRS. So only you can look at this page.
(b) When you file by mail, TurboTax only knows that you have prepared the return, have printed it for filing by mail. Thereafter TurboTax has no way of knowing the status of the return processing and /or refund issuance ( except for the case where TurboTax or its agent is going to get the refund amount and then after adjustment for its fees issue you a card or other means to make the amount available to you. Mailed in returns need to be scanned and then "perfected" before processing by the IRS and hence take a lot longer than e-filed returns. TurboTax has no way of knowing the status of the return processing except what you can see at www.irs.gov site on the page "Where is My Refund" -- which they are prevented from accessing legally.
I would suggest, wait at least six weeks from the time when you mailed the return and then check the "Where is My Refund" page. If you call the IRS and get a live agent, he/she also can only see this page -- they do have more access , but this is the most upto date info.
I am sorry , it is long answer to a short question , but ....
pk
