This rewrite explains what happens after a return is e-filed, whether you can make changes, and what to do if your return is accepted or rejected. It's updated in a clear, taxpayer-friendly style that helps users understand their next steps.
Can I Stop My Tax Return After I E-File It?
No. Once your federal or state tax return has been electronically transmitted, we can't stop or cancel the filing process.
After your return is submitted, you'll need to wait for the IRS or state tax agency to either accept or reject it. Most taxpayers receive a response within a relatively short period, though processing times can vary.
When the return status is available, we'll send an acknowledgment to:
- The email address associated with your account
- The Messages section of your account
The acknowledgment will let you know whether your federal and/or state return was accepted or rejected.
What If My Return Is Accepted?
If your return has already been accepted and you discover an error or need to make changes, you generally cannot edit the originally filed return.
If your return is accepted and adjustments need to be made, you are required to prepare and file an amended return. An amended return allows you to correct information such as:
- Income that was omitted
- Filing status errors
- Incorrect deductions or credits
- Changes to dependent information
Be sure to wait until the original return has been accepted before filing an amendment.
What If My Return Is Rejected?
A rejected return has not been accepted by the IRS or state agency, which means you can still correct the issue and resubmit it electronically.
To fix and resubmit a rejected return:
- Log in to your account.
- Review the rejection message and instructions provided.
- Make the necessary corrections.
- Complete the e-file process again and resubmit the return.
In most cases, you won't be charged an additional fee to resubmit a rejected return. Additional charges may apply only if you:
- Upgrade your product package after the original filing, or
- Add additional state returns that were not included in your initial purchase
What Happens to My State Return If My Federal Return Is Rejected?
If your federal return is rejected, your state return is generally not transmitted to the state tax agency.
This is because most states require the IRS to accept the federal return before they will process the state return. After correcting and resubmitting your federal return, you'll need to e-file the state return again as part of the resubmission process.
Checking your acknowledgment messages and addressing any rejection issues promptly can help keep both your federal and state returns moving through the filing process as quickly as possible.