What happens if you file a paper copy, then submit an electronic filing?

[StevenC1 · Accepted solution]

Technically and legally, you only want to do one or the other.

Generally speaking the second to arrive will be rejected, and possibly investigated for fraud. 

However given the number of people who either accidentally do it due to a misunderstanding, or file both due to concern that one might not be received, i would not be overly concerned as long as there is no intent to do fraud.

[mrbennet]

Thank you!!!

[CarolynB]

You changed your mind, and want to e-file your tax return(s) instead of printing and mailing. As long as you haven't already mailed your 2016 paper return, you can switch to the e-filing method (through October 17, 2017). Some states now require e-filing their returns, and federal and state returns must be e-filed together.

On the other hand, if you already mailed your return, don't e-file. This can cause problems with the government, including refund delays.

If you wish to change how you'll file your taxes in TurboTax, follow the steps below for either the TurboTax Online or TurboTax CD/Download version.

There are options before filing to save a PDF file you can use later to view and print the tax return (Adobe Reader or equivalent is required for viewing and printing).

Change to e-file your return in TurboTax Online versions Change to e-file your return in TurboTax CD/Download versions

Related Information:

• Do I need to mail anything after I've e-filed?
• Can I still e-file a 2015, 2014, or earlier tax return?

[aznbiblegirl]

Hi, I  also did this for my 2021 tax return.. What happened when you filed yours twice?

[mc124339]

I am hesitant and confused on what to do in the following situation I find myself in with submitting my 2021 Federal and Ohio State Taxes:

I submitted my 2021 Federal and Ohio State Tax paper returns on 2-22-2022, each involving a refund.

I received my 2021 Ohio State Tax Refund on 3-14-2022 (which was amazingly fast)!

However, I kept waiting and waiting and waiting for the 2021 Federal Tax Refund and it still hasn't come.

So, starting in June, I went to the IRS on-line services (a few times) to check my 2021 Federal Tax Refund status, but I always get this response:

"We cannot provide any information about your refund. / If you filed a complete and accurate tax return, your refund should be issued within six weeks of the received date. However, processing may take longer under certain circumstances."

I have also tried calling the IRS (many times) trying to go thru various prompts in different ways to get hold of a person to talk to, but cannot get hold of anyone.

I have seen some online posts of people in the 2020 Tax Year that are still waiting for their refunds.  And there is information on the internet that for the 2021 filing season that the IRS has millions of tax returns that haven't been processed yet.

So, I came up with an idea to submit my 2021 Federal Tax return via TurboTax online, but am hesitant to do that not knowing the consequences of that action.  I think I will incur the penalty for late filing, and I have seen some other online posts that the IRS may see this as potential fraud, and other posts that it could further delay the refund process if the IRS sees both the paper and online tax returns.

Is there a Turbo Tax Advisor that can help here on what to do in this situation?

Does anyone have some good guidance information on what to do in this situation?

Thank you for listening.

mc124339