Why can't I file today?

[stacysterling12]

I desperately need my federal tax refund.

[DoninGA · Accepted solution]

The TurboTax e-file servers have not yet been activated.

The IRS will not be accepting any type of tax year 2016 return until January 23, 2017.

Tax returns that have incomplete or incorrect tax data entered because the taxpayer filed their return before receiving the W-2, Form 1099's, Form 1095 or other tax documents before they became available will either have their tax returns rejected by the IRS or the returns and any tax refund will be held for several weeks or months for an investigation.

All tax returns filed that have a tax refund which includes EIC and/or the Additional Child Tax Credit will be held by the IRS until February 15.  With payments of refund to begin during the week of February 27.

[ScruffyCurmudgeon]

I know you don't want to hear this but it is the truth, as opposed to any statements anyone made about processing your return by January 3rd or soon after.

See the REAL schedule at this posting!   https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/3405630

Apparently, TurboTax just now, at mid-day January 3 posted this update showing 1/4/17:
http://blog.turbotax.intuit.com/tax-news/irs-opens-e-file-on-january-23-get-a-jump-on-your-tax-refun...

However, even if so, please read on!

Go to this link and learn why the earliest that the IRS will even see your tax return filed is January 23, 2017, and the earliest that the IRS might deposit your refund is February 3, 2017.  Go to this https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/3405630

ALSO some TurboTax forms are not even ready yet it seems
See here for Federal Tax Form availability dates:
https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1908854-forms-availability-table-for-turbotax-federal-products-exc...
See here for state Tax Form availability dates:
https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1908857-forms-availability-table-for-turbotax-state-except-busines...

Why TurboTax even mentions January 3 is a real doozer of a question because it makes no sense, and in fact is apparently untrue as well!   Once they do open for submittal, apparently on January 4th, they will stick your filing in a vault and not do anything with it until the IRS opens on January 23, 2017.

No point rushing it turns out!!!!  And lots to lose too in fact!

Certainly, you can start entering all the various personal data that you have, and if you want to try to guess what your Form W-2 will look like and also any Forms1099 that you might receive, such as Interest Income, feel free to do so for ESTIMATION purposes only.
However, read this post to learn why others have found it to be a very serious mistake to go ahead and submit your filing before you have gotten all your W-2s and 1099s.   https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/3405630

Read what folks who filed in a hurry had to say last December and January.READ THIS: https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/3405630