Resolve an E-filing Rejection
Rejected. It sounds so ... personal. But don't take it that way.
When your tax return is rejected, it just means that the e-filing server at the IRS or state tax agency has "bounced" it back so you can correct something (such as an incorrect PIN) before you resubmit it. In most cases, TurboTax can help you with this process.
Having said that, there are certain situations in which you cannot "fix" a rejected return – because there's nothing wrong with it. In these cases, you can always file a conventional paper return. Click here to learn more about "un-efileable" returns.
Although there are hundreds of e-file rejection errors (we'll spare you the complete list), the procedure for fixing them is pretty much the same.
- Open (continue) your return in the TurboTax software or sign back in to TurboTax Online.
- Click the Print & File tab, select Check E-file Status right below it, and then click the Fix button.
- On the next screen, TurboTax will show you what needs fixing. After making the necessary corrections, click Continue.
- Follow any other on-screen instructions to correct other errors, and then re-transmit your return.
New! For in-depth information about the most common IRS rejection errors, find your error on our IRS E-file Rejection Errors article.
Still getting rejected? Some returns cannot be e-filed, no matter how hard you try. Click here and find out why.
In either case, click the Continue or Revisit button next to your Federal tax return (not your state return), then follow the onscreen instructions to correct and resubmit your return.
If you're expecting a refund, you have until October 15, 2012 to resubmit your 2011 return electronically. Should you miss that date, you have until April 15, 2015 (October 15, 2015 if you filed an extension) to file a paper return and claim your 2011 refund.
With a tax refund, there's no need to worry about late filing penalties, but the sooner you file, the sooner you'll get your money.
Now, if you owe taxes but you didn't file an extension, you have until April 21, 2012 to resubmit your rejected return and avoid the late filing penalty.
Should you miss the April 21 deadline, or you decide not to e-file, the IRS allows you ten days after your most recent on-time e-file attempt to file a conventional paper return and avoid the late filing penalty. If you go this route, click here and we'll show you how to obtain proof that you tried to file your tax return on time.
But even if you miss the ten-day paper filing grace period, try to file your return as soon as you are able, to minimize penalties and interest. The late filing penalty is 5% of your owed taxes for every month (or fraction thereof) that your return is late, up to a maximum of 25%.
Important: To avoid a possible failure-to-pay penalty, any additional taxes you owe must be paid by April 17, 2012, regardless of whether or not you filed an extension. The failure-to-pay penalty is 0.5% (1/2 of 1 percent) of your owed taxes for every month (or fraction thereof) that the owed tax amount remains unpaid, up to a maximum of 25%.
