You've come to the right place to learn how to file your tax return electronically. Select a link below to go directly to a step, or read through the entire article to learn all the steps to e-file a tax return.

Step 1 - Select the tax return(s) you want to file electronically
Step 2 - Electronically sign your tax return (OPTIONAL)
Step 3 - Verify that your tax return was transmitted successfully
Step 4 - Check the e-file status of your tax return
Step 5 - Sign your tax return using Form 8453-OL
Step 6 - Print a copy of your tax return for your records

When you're ready to e-file, go to the Print & File tab at the top, select File a Return, and then follow the on-screen instructions.

In the Select the Returns You're Ready  to E-file screen, make sure that you choose the income tax return(s) that you want to e-file.

You might be able to e-file your state tax return in addition to your federal tax return depending on the e-filing requirements for your state. See E-file Your State Tax Return to find out if your state supports electronic filing.

Follow the on-screen instructions in the TurboTax Interview screens.

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You can sign your tax return in one of two ways: electronically or on paper:

Electronically

When you e-file your tax return, the TurboTax Interview asks if you'd like to sign your return electronically. The IRS offers a paperless method using a self-select PIN (Personal Identification Number) to electronically sign your return. If you use the paperless method to sign your tax return, you do NOT need to send the signature form (Form 8453-OL) to the IRS. For more information, see Sign Your Return Electronically Using a Self-select PIN.

Make sure that you follow the on-screen instructions to electronically sign your tax return.

On paper

If you choose to sign your tax return on paper, we'll explain how to print the e-file signature form for your tax return later in Step 5.

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Once you transmit your income tax return(s), you should see a Transmission Successful screen in the TurboTax Interview that confirms that your tax returns were e-filed.

Follow the on-screen instructions in the TurboTax Interview to learn what you need to do next to complete the filing of your tax returns.

If your tax return was not transmitted, see Resolve E-filing Transmission Issues to troubleshoot the problem.

Note: Do not confuse successfully transmitting your return with a successful acceptance of your tax return by the tax agencies. After you transmit your tax return, it's important to check the status to see if your return has been accepted or rejected.

 

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You'll receive an e-mail notification from the Intuit Electronic Filing Center if your tax return was accepted or rejected by the IRS.

To check status in TurboTax, wait 24 to 48 hours (federal returns) or up to 5 days (state returns), then go back into the program and check the status of your tax returns.

For more information about this step, see Check the Status of Your E-filed Return.

1. Select the Print & File tab, then select the E-file Status or Check E-file Status, and then follow the on-screen instructions.
2. Once your income tax returns are accepted:
   • If you signed your return electronically, skip ahead to Step 6 so you can print a copy of the return for your records.
   • If you are signing your return on paper, you must sign and mail Form 8453-OL on the next working day after you receive notification that your tax return was accepted.
   • If you e-filed your state tax return, you'll need to provide a paper signature with your state return.
3. If your tax return status is still pending, make sure that you've waited at least 24 to 48 hours after you've e-filed your federal return; or that you've waited at least 5 days for a state return. During this period of time between e-filing and receiving an acknowledgment from the taxing authority, a "Pending" status for your tax return is normal.
4. If your tax return is rejected, see Resolve an E-filing Rejection.

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Remember, you can sign your income tax return either electronically i.e. provide an electronic signature, or you can sign your income tax return on paper using Form 8453-OL.

If you signed your return electronically at the time you e-filed your tax return, you do NOT have to complete Form 8453-OL. You can SKIP THIS STEP and go to Step 6.

Follow the on-screen instructions in the TurboTax Inteview to print and sign Form 8453-OL.

Make sure that you mail your completed Form 8453-OL on the next working day after you receive notification that your tax return was accepted by the IRS.

If your federal tax return is ACCEPTED but your state tax return is NOT ACCEPTED

Complete the following steps for your federal tax return. Do not wait for your state tax return to be accepted by the state tax agency:

1. After you e-file your return(s), follow the on-screen instructions in the TurboTax Interview to print your e-filing paperwork including your Form 8453-OL.
   • If you owe money, your e-filing paperwork includes a Form 1040-V payment voucher.
2. Verify that your Declaration Control Number (DCN) printed on Form 8453-OL (and on the state form if you electronically filed a state return).
   • The DCN is the confirmation number that is assigned when your return is accepted and must be included on Form 8453-OL.
3. Review the Electronic Filing Instructions that you printed in Step 1 to complete and mail the necessary paperwork.
   • Form 8453-OL and Form 1040-V must be mailed to two different addresses and your payment must be included with Form 1040-V (if applicable).
   • All mailing addresses are included in the instructions.

If the DCN did not print on your paperwork, you'll need to enter the DCN manually

1. Check the status of your return in the TurboTax program, or e-mail you received from the Intuit Electronic Filing Center.
2. Copy the DCN from the acceptance message or e-filing confirmation e-mail you received.
   • Ignore the first two digits ("00") in the first box of the DCN and then write the next six digits of your DCN in the second box in the upper-left corner of Form 8453-OL.
   • Write the next five digits in the third box.
   • Ignore the last digit in the fourth box of the DCN. 
3. Mail Form 8453-OL to the appropriate IRS address.

To view or print the filing instructions

Here's how to print your filing instructions that includes your e-filing instructions for TurboTax Desktop (Windows and Mac) and TurboTax Online.

TurboTax Desktop

1. Select Open a Form from the Forms menu
2. In the Open Form dialog box , scroll down to the bottom and then double-click Filing Instructions.
3. Select the Print button on the toolbar at the top.

TurboTax Online

1. Select the Print & File tab, then select File a Return.
2. Select the File by Mail button.
3. Select the Print My Federal Return option, then select Continue.
4. Wait for your tax return to open in Adobe Reader.
5. You see that the first page contains the filing instructions for your tax return.
6. To print the instructions, select the Print icon at the top of the Adobe window.

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Here's how to print a copy of your tax return to keep for your records.

TurboTax Desktop

1. Start TurboTax and open your tax return.
2. From the File menu, select Print.
3. In the Printing dialog box, select Forms to review or keep for your records.
4. Enter the Number of Copies you want.
5. Select Print.

See Print in TurboTax Desktop for more details about printing your tax return.

TurboTax Online

1. Sign on to TurboTax Online.
2. Select the Print & File tab, then select Print/Save for Records.
3. In the Print/Save for Your Records screen, select the View Returns button.
4. Wait for the Adobe Reader program to open your tax return.
5. When your tax return opens, select the Print Returns button.

See Print in TurboTax Online for more details about printing your tax return.

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