Why is my federal e-file still pending? Why is my state e-file still pending?

Pending could mean different things. If your provider has not transmitted your tax return to the IRS within a few days, you should double check to make sure you submitted the return.

However, a pending status from the federal government is a little different. If the IRS has received your return, your provider may show it as pending until it is approved or sent back. Your federal return should be accepted within 24 - 48 hours of being sent. 

Typically it can take 48 hours or so to submit your returns to the IRS or state departments, though times can vary. If it’s been longer than two business days, you should reach out to us for help.

You may experience a delay if there was an error on your tax return and the IRS needs more time to review it. If your return was incorrect or incomplete, the IRS will contact you by mail, which could take additional time. And, if you claim the Earned Income Tax Credit, the IRS cannot issue a refund (if you’re getting one) until mid-February, which may be the reason for the delay.

State return delays can vary. If you’ve confirmed your state taxes were sent and they’re still pending after a week or two, you can reach out to your state’s Department of Revenue to find out more. You may even be able to create an account online to get updates on the status of your tax return.