When does the efile center begin accepting returns?

[mauimagic808]

When will intuit start accepting 2021 efile returns?

[xmasbaby0]

Maybe today.

I worry when people ask how soon they can file and want to file the minute they can, because experience here has shown that many of those same people will be back in this forum in a few weeks asking how to amend.  Right now it has been taking the IRS more than six months to process amended returns.  Filing too soon could mean you are setting yourself up for months of aggravation.

 You can fall for the marketing ploy that will allow you to e-file early if you want to—-but be aware that your e-file will just sit on a server and if you discover that you need to make any changes you will not be able to.   You cannot change or add anything while your return is in pending on the server.   You have to wait until the IRS ether accepts or rejects it much later in January or early February.    If it is rejected you can fix it; if it is accepted with your mistakes you have to wait for it to be processed and go through the lengthy process of amending.

  You still need your 2021 W-2's and any 1099's that will show your income for 2021.    Those will not be issued until late January or early February. 

The tax forms are not ready yet. The software still needs lots of updates.  Go to the REVIEW tab to see which forms in your return are incomplete and the estimated dates they will be ready (dates always subject to change) and sign up for the email alerts if you wish.  

 .   

 Being in a hurry to file and get a refund is never a good idea---it leads to filing incorrectly without all of your information and to waiting months to amend mistakes that you should not have made in the first place.   Be patient and file correctly when all of your information is in order and the tax forms are ready.

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/forms/help/irs-forms-availability-table-for-turbotax-individual-pe...

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/forms/help/state-forms-availability-table-for-turbotax-individual-...

And…..if you are trying to rush because you get earned income credit or the child tax credit——the PATH act means you cannot get your refund until the end of February at the earliest—so filing early will not get you an early refund.

[SweetieJean]

You also need to wait for letters from the IRS re Stimulus Payment # 3 and the Advanced Child Tax Credit, both of which will be sent out sometimes later this month.

Further, once the IRS does officially open efiling, it does not necessarily process returns in a First In, First Out order.  If you need to show someone, say a lender, that you filed your return, be aware that many of them may want an official transcript from the IRS instead.