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SusanY1
Expert Alumni

Why am I being told to mail in my returns after e-filing?

If you have already paid, the the voucher is just for your use in case the payment does not go through for some reason.  You can simply store it until your payment clears your bank, and then destroy it. 

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Why am I being told to mail in my returns after e-filing?

This is my THEORY only as of this post.

 

My dad got the same messaged after e-filing but ignored it.  The returns are accepted and now I can't get TT to present the message again.  I think ultimately this is bad program design and a confusing message.  If you OWE taxes and you did not pay electronically (earlier in the filing process you have to say how you are going to pay) then:

 

You need to print the voucher and mail it with your check.  That's a form you need to print.  Not the entire tax return, but at least the voucher to send with your check.  This has been stated in a few replies before mine.

The TT message does not say the forms you need to print but wants you to click "print forms" to THEN see what forms TT thinks you need to print.  This is bad design and I think is causing a lot of confusion.  The message would be more helpful if it listed the forms needed to be printed in addition to the "print forms" button.  This way the user can see ahead of time the form and reason for mailing.  Too many people are likely getting confused thinking they need to print and mail their entire return after e-filing.

There are other reasons that would generate additional forms and supporting documentation to be mailed to the IRS but they are not common.  I strongly suspect that everyone in this thread with this issue has to PRINT FORM 1040-V (voucher to mail with their check).  That's what this message is most likely trying to get you to do but without the explanation on the screen.

As of at least my post here, no one has said they PAID electronically and got this message.  And again there are other situations that would require you to mail in some forms and documentation even if you paid electronically but they appear to be less common.  Given the facts stated by the opening poster's situation, form 1040-V is most likely what needs to be printed and mailed with their check.  AGAIN NOT THE ENTIRE RETURN.  You can still e-file, have it accepted and still need to MAIL 1040-V and a check if you did not pay electronically during the e-file process.

I think my dad is falling victim to this TT message that lacks information on the initial message screen.  I'd suggest Intuit re-vist the design of the initial message and include more details as to what and why you need to print and mail something. 

I would also suggest that on the screen that shows returns accepted, Intuit put a message to applicable taxpayers that they still need to print 1040-v and mail it with a check.  You are not truly done with your taxes until you do this if you owe and chose not to pay electronically. 

A few adjustments by Intuit to the print form message and final accepted return status screen could clear up a lot of confusion and help keep applicable people from forgetting to print 1040-v and mail a check.  Especially the person in this thread that said they always got a refund but owe for the first time, they may not know they need to print and mail 1040-V and a check if they did not pay electronically.

Why am I being told to mail in my returns after e-filing?

I have a screen print of the message, but this reply function won't accept my screenprint file, saying it has invalid html. 

I do have to mail in my Federal payment check with a voucher, so maybe that's all it is in my case?  However, the text doesn't sound like it's only a single form.

 

The exact text is:   "Print and Mail These Forms to the Government.  Even though you e-filed, you're still required to print and mail these forms.  Don't skip this important step! Your return is not complete without it."

 

Why am I being told to mail in my returns after e-filing?

That could just mean the payment voucher to pay your tax due.   Or you can Pay the IRS directly at

Https://www.irs.gov/payments

AmyC
Expert Alumni

Why am I being told to mail in my returns after e-filing?

The 8453 does need to be mailed sometimes. Check  Form 8453 and the instructions to see if any of the items are part of your return.

For example, a charity deduction that needs to have the appraisal filed. You would need to mail the appraisal with the Form 8453.

@Mockerkeys

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Why am I being told to mail in my returns after e-filing?

That’s exactly the message I got, but it wouldn’t let me select the print button or see what exactly I was supposed to mail.

Why am I being told to mail in my returns after e-filing?

Sandwisch was correct. That's exactly what happened. I was sending a check to State tax (because it didn't give me the option of paying with credit card). Sure enough, hitting "Print Forms" button send to the voucher form. But before I came here to read his theory, I was afraid "Print Forms" meant...print ALL MY TAX FILING FORMS and mail them even though I just E-filed. Thanks for the tip. 

Why am I being told to mail in my returns after e-filing?

I got the same pop up. When clicking Print Required Forms it show an error that the forms can not be converted to PDF... So no idea what forms is asking to mail... I tried to paste a screenshot of it here but it doesn't let me.

 

What is the point of e-filing if we are requested to mail the forms? Shouldn't I have been warned by Turbotax before I paid for the state e-filing?? This is very disappointing. Does anyone have an explanation??

 

All that said, if I remember well, I may have had the same problem last year. And I think I just ignored it. Then forgot about it once I received the emails saying that the returns had been accepted. Anyway I would like to have an explanation from Turbotax about this.

Thanks

 
 
RI22
New Member

Why am I being told to mail in my returns after e-filing?

I had the same problem and prompted me to mail in the payment form to the IRS. Why do this after e-filing and having it accepted?

Monie92
New Member

Why am I being told to mail in my returns after e-filing?

Your messaging system does not allow for attachments only links. I am not able to provide a screen print of:

"Print and Mail These Forms to the Government"

"Even though you e-filed, you're still required to print and mail these forms."

"Don't skip this important step! Your return isn't complete without it."

which appears "Filed" module of your application.

 

 

 

LindaS5247
Expert Alumni

Why am I being told to mail in my returns after e-filing?

If you have successfully filed your return and paid your tax due you do not have to mail in the payment form.

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