When does the Intuit Electronic Filing Center open to efile 2019 returns? I keep getting this message - The Intuit Electronic Filing Center is not yet accepting returns

[DoninGA]

It should open sometime today.  However, if your tax return contains forms and schedules that have not been finalized you will not be able to e-file your tax return.

[xmasbaby0]

E-filing is supposed to open sometime today on January 3.  What is your hurry, though?

When can I file for 2019?

Even when 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, beginning on January 15.  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.

[Amiracle]

I filed yesterday and got this message as well. It stated the intuit center does not open until FEBRUARY 3, 2020 6AM.

[DoninGA]

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@Amiracle wrote:

I filed yesterday and got this message as well. It stated the intuit center does not open until FEBRUARY 3, 2020 6AM.

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Did you try to e-file a tax return twice?  Only the first e-file will be transmitted.

Go to this IRS website for the official start date - https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-opens-2020-filing-season-for-individual-filers-on-jan-27

[Amiracle]

Hello,

No I only attempted  once and recieved that message...at the bottom it did ask if I wanted to "retry", and then I selected that option. Still got the same message so I figured I'd go back on February 3rd to submit it.

[DoninGA]

Contact TurboTax support for this issue.  It sounds as if the e-file transmission did not go through on the first attempt and now you are seeing this February date.  If your return is complete and you do not have any forms or schedules that have not yet been finalized the tax return should have e-filed with no problem.

See this TurboTax support FAQ on how to contact Support - https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/3401489

[Amiracle]

Thanks I'll do so. I thought this was weird because I already filed my business taxes with Turbotax and my e file was successful. The error I'm getting is for my daughters W2 filing returns. I was thinking intuit was only allowing business returns now and personal e files on February 3rd. Thank you for the info...

[Amiracle]

They were no help...wanted me to pay $30 to speak to someone. I did see that it should have let me e file but I've gone over my returns and everything was fine not sure what's the issue.  I guess I'll just have to wait and see it it'll allow me to e file on February 3rd. 

[RadarLove]

I got the same thing "Electronic Filing Center Not Open" but did not say when it would be open, I assumed it would be on the 27th when IRS' opened the tax season. 

To be honest, this year has not been a good experience for TurboTax, nothing but missing forms, errors that could not be checked or verified because their app was not up to date yet. No error notes telling me what was wrong, app just shutting down and randomly closing, updates that just sit or vanish. Did not walk me through sections it knew I needed to go through even after it noted I filled them out last year and asked if I needed to this year. 

I've used them for a decade now, this is the FIRST time I'm not confident my taxes are correct. 

[Amiracle]

I see I'm not the only one...I am considering just doing them over on Credit Karma. They have a free program too, plus I'm already a member. I'm afraid that come the 3rd, it'll still say the same error, and it's ridiculous that they want you to pay to speak to someone when it's clear their system is off.

[andruw726]

I received the same message but already paid so I'm out of $120.00. There should be an explanation I have used them for over 12 years and this has never happened. 

[Amiracle]

@andruw726 That'a messed up. I referred people this year and theirs said the same message.  I did my business taxes with them weeks ago and it was successful. It's my daughters basic W2 that gave me the error. I took her over to Credit Karma, I'm done with Turbo, because they don't want to help us unless we pay. Credit Karma offers free assistance and free to file W2...

[andruw726]

Called support when I told them what was going on she was surprised stayed on hold for about 10 mins and was disconnected with no return call. Now the wait time is 76 minutes before someone will call back (surprise).  Turbo Tax needs to get this fixed because they have sent out emails since December saying file early we will hold until Jan. 27 and efile  and the emails did not mention restrictions as far as holding personal returns until 2-03-2020 but  just that it would efile on the 27th.  They have already taken my payment so if I use someone else I will be out of $120.00 they have their money I want the service I paid for in the time I was told. 

[Amiracle]

@andruw726 I agree. I'm surprised you got through. They wanted me to pay $30 to get assistance which was weird.  I didn't need help with taxes, needed help about "their" error message. I find it discouraging they didn't send an email detailing the issue or try and help. I really hope it works out for you. I'm done, we went with Credit Karma...easy breezy! Sending positive energy your way with hope's it'll work out!