"Ready to mail" means that you did not e-file and that your tax return is waiting for you to print, sign and mail it yourself. Even if you did mail it, it will continue to say "ready to mail" on you r account because the software has no way to know that you put your tax return in the mail. If you did NOT e-file, and did NOT mail it yourself, then you have to mail it.
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 on the bottom of the page 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.
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
1 Select the My Account drop down in the upper right and choose Print Center.
2 Under the Choose your option section, select which forms you want to print.
3 Click Print save or preview this year’s return.
4 Click Print.
5 Mail to the address specified in your return
Tip: You must be inside your return when you click on My Account
To send your tax return by mail and get a receipt to see that the IRS received it:
https://www.usps.com/taxes/welcome.htm
To track your Federal refund:
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:
1. Sign into your account.
2. Click on the My TurboTax menu ( See attachment) and select Visit My Tax Timeline .
3. Under SOME THINGS YOU CAN DO click on Add a state. (You are not adding a state to your return. This allows you to get back into your return.)
4. Click on the File tab across the top below the Search option.
5. On the Just one more step screen, follow steps 1 and 2 if you haven't already.
6. Click the Start button to the right of Step 3.
7. This will navigate you to the Here are your filing choices screen, click I'd like to chance filing methods.
8. Change your filing method to E-file and click Save.
9. Click Continue and follow the onscreen prompts to e-file your return.
If you have chosen the mail option, you will need to mail your return in order for the IRS to process it and send your refund.
Please refer to the following help article to print and mail your return through TurboTax Online.
Thank you for this information I was able to change my state from "File by mail" to "E-file", using the step below.
To change to e-filing:
1. Sign into your account.
2. Click on the My TurboTax menu ( See attachment) and select Visit My Tax Timeline .
3. Under SOME THINGS YOU CAN DO click on Add a state. (You are not adding a state to your return. This allows you to get back into your return.)
4. Click on the File tab across the top below the Search option.
5. On the Just one more step screen, follow steps 1 and 2 if you haven't already.
6. Click the Start button to the right of Step 3.
7. This will navigate you to the Here are your filing choices screen, click I'd like to chance filing methods.
8. Change your filing method to E-file and click Save.
9. Click Continue and follow the onscreen prompts to e-file your return.
Thanks for this it helped me out alot. Jesus christ will bless you for this.
What does it mean when your federal taxes say it ready to be mail
"Ready to mail" means that your return was not e-filed and that you need to print it and mail it yourself.
If you selected to file by mail, you can change your filing method so you can e-file:
I prepared my 2019 returns in the IRS Free File version of Turbotax to qualify for a stimulus payment. But because I have no income I couldn't e-file. While I have a receipt and receipt number from Turbotax that they were prepared, they still have to be mailed. Can I just go fill out the new form on the IRS site instead? I'm kind of scared to go to the post office! Turbotax doesn't submit information to the IRS just through preparing, does it?
Thanks
Yes, If you're more comfortable doing that, it will be fine.
This is a link to an IRS Free File Option: IRS Free File
thank you!!
that link in your comment does not work, by the way. here is the link I used on the IRS site for the non-filers.
https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/non-fi[product key removed]nt-info-here
more info is here https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/economic-impact-payments
also it could be a software issue in the system that's why it saids that and plus mine says that too
I prefer to e-file but it keeps saying that i have a duplicate return.. i did go on to the IRS non filter portal to get my stimulus check however i deleted the return and decided to file my 2019 instead but it still will not let me E-File and if i mail it in the IRS will not process until after the COVID-19 Pandemic.. I’m so confused
When you used the non-filers form on the IRS web site, did you finish it and get an email that it was accepted?
Because if it was accepted, that means you efiled through that.
You can't efile again.
You can file an amended return.
Also, you can send in a paper return and make a notation at the top that it is an amendment to an efile you did through that portal.
@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
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:
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:
"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).
@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.
Is there a possible way to change my CA State refund to electronically instead of printing and mailing it ?
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.
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
I can't find the File Tab in the top left, and I already expanded my screen.