Attention: The deadline to e-file your 2008 return was 10/15/2009, however, you can still use eSmart Tax to prepare, print and mail your 2008 return to the IRS/State for processing

Tax e-file FAQ: Double-check your work with eSmart.

Check e-file status, correct errors, revise and resubmit.

e-file Status:

Revise and Resubmit:

What is my e-file status? How do I know it has been sent?  (back to top)

  • In your account, you should see two types of status, e-file Status and Transaction Status. e-file Status is specifically about your tax return and Transaction Status is about your credit card payment or e-check processing.
  • Order Received indicates we have received your submission. Payment Approved indicates that your credit card or e-check has been processed successfully. Processing indicates that the return is being processed and sent to the IRS. You will then see the status as either accepted or rejected after we receive the result back from the IRS.
  • For e-file paid by credit card, you will typically receive the result in 3 business days. E-file with e-check may take 6 days. If you do not receive your e-file result after one week, you should contact us. There could be few days of delay at the beginning of the filing season.

How can I prove that I filed my return on time before 4/15?  (back to top)

Each e-file submission has a time-stamp that clearly identifies the time of submission and that time-stamp is sent to the IRS with your data. Your return must be received by us before midnight the day of the filing deadline. If it is rejected, you have five (5) days to revise, resubmit and have the return accepted. As long as your resubmission meets this five day deadline, your return will be considered filed on time.

My e-file status shows that my return is Processing, but my transaction status shows approved. Why?  (back to top)

The transaction status shows your credit card or e-check payment status which is different from your tax return e-file status. An e-file status of Processing indicates that your return is being processed and sent to the IRS.

My e-file status has not changed for over a week. What should I do?  (back to top)

Typically, you should receive your e-file result within 3 days for e-files paid by credit card and 6 days for e-files paid by e-check.  If the e-file status is over one week old, your return may be in our internal review due to a unique condition.  At this point you may wish to contact our Support Center.  At the beginning of the season, please allow few more days before contacting us, due to high volume of business.

Why haven't I received the e-file result on my State return?  (back to top)

State returns are typically processed after the Federal returns are accepted, except for States that use their own transmission system.  Your state e-file result and acknowledgement may take several more days to reach us.  You will typically receive an e-file result for your Federal return within 3 days (6 days if you used e-check) but the status of your State return may take a few more days.

My e-file was rejected. What do I do?  (back to top)

Click on the red rejected link next to your return on your My Account page.  A window will pop-up with the reason(s) for your rejection.  You can then click on each error code for an explanation of each error.  Then simply revise your return to correct the mistakes and resubmit. 

What are the most common Errors?  (back to top)

  • Your Self-Select PIN/AGI does not match the IRS’s database. You need to enter the exact amount or contact the IRS to verify the exact amount.  Please see our FAQ page titled “Signing my return – Adjusted Gross Income and Self-Select PIN” for more information. 
  • Last Name, Birthday and SSN do not match for taxpayer, spouse or dependents. If you believe you have entered the correct information, then you need to contact the IRS to see what they have on file.  If their information is wrong, you can request correction through the SSA, then e-file.  You can also e-file using the wrong information, and then request a correction through the SSA after your e-file is accepted.
  • Dependent's or Taxpayer's SSN already used in another return. For example, a divorced spouse may have claimed the dependent in his/her return already. Although the spouse may or may not be entitled to claim the dependent, your e-file will not be accepted.  If you still want to claim the dependent, you need to file by paper and let the IRS sort it out.

I filed a Fed/State joint return and it was rejected.  I resubmitted but my e-file status only shows a Federal submission.  What happened?  (back to top)

You might not have chosen to e-file the State return when you checked out. You need to go back to Step 6 - File, locate your state return, click on e-file and print and submit it as a State-Only return.

Do I need to pay again to revise and resubmit?  (back to top)

No, it is free to revise and resubmit with eSmart Tax.

I made a mistake on the return I submitted. Can I make changes and e-file again?  (back to top)

  • After you have completed the checkout process and received an order number, you will not be able to make any changes to your return. Just as though you dropped your return into a mailbox, you can't have it back.
  • If the e-file is rejected by the IRS/State for any reason, you can then make any changes you want. If it is accepted, you will need to file an amended return (1040X) if you want to make any changes.

I just e-filed my return a few minutes ago. Can I stop it?  (back to top)

After you have completed the checkout process and received an order number, you will not be able to cancel your return.  Just as though you dropped your return into a mailbox, you can't have it back.

My State return was accepted, but my Federal return was rejected. It seems I can't change my Federal return to resubmit. What happened?  (back to top)

Since the State return has been accepted, it is a sealed record. You will need to prepare another Federal return with the right information. With eSmart Tax Deluxe, Premium and Signature services, you can clone a return easily to revise and resubmit a Federal-Only return.

My return has been accepted, but I found a mistake. Can I revise and resubmit?  (back to top)

No, once a return is accepted, you can't change anything. You can file an amended return (1040X) for Federal and State. Currently, Federal and most State amended returns can be filed by paper forms only. eSmart Tax offers 1040x amended return online preparation and printing for your convenience, though it can't be e-filed.

I received another W2 and 1099, but I already submitted my e-file. How can I correct it?  (back to top)

If your e-file has been accepted, you need to file amended returns to include the new information. If the e-file is in processing, you will have to wait for the result and you can then revise, but only if the return is rejected.

What is an amended return 1040X?  (back to top)

If you have discovered a mistake on your Federal return and your Federal return was already accepted by the IRS, you must amend your Federal return, and file a 1040X. These mistakes may include e.g. you did not report some income, you claimed deductions or credits you should not have claimed, you failed to claim some deductions or credits to which you are entitled, or you should have used a different filing status. Source: http://www.irs.gov/faqs/index.html. For more information about Amended Returns, please visit http://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc308.html.

Can 1040X, amended return be e-filed?  (back to top)

No, currently the IRS does not accept amended returns, form 1040X, electronically. If you use eSmart Tax Deluxe, Premium or Signature, you can clone your Federal return, make changes, prepare your 1040X, then print and mail.

Can I amend my returns from previous years?  (back to top)

Yes, you can file Form 1040X within 3 years after the date you filed the original return or within 2 years after the date you paid the tax, whichever is later.


Get a bigger tax refund with eSmart Tax software.