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 will take 6 days. If you do not receive your e-file result over 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 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, 4/15/2004. If it is rejected, you have until 4/20/2008 to revise, resubmit and have the return accepted. If your resubmission meets this five-day deadline, your return will still be considered filed on time.

My e-file status shows that my return is in 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. The transaction status needs to be Approved before your return is processed. 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 in 3 days for e-files paid with credit card and 6 days for e-files paid with 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 us at our online Support Center located in the My Account section of your account. 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 processed typically after the Federal returns are accepted, except for States that use their own transmission system. The e-file result and acknowledgement may take several more days to reach us. You can typically receive e-file result for Federal return in 3 days (6 days if you used e-check) but the status of State return will take a few more days.

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

e-file rejection is almost always due to Information Error - the information you entered does not match the IRS record. Information Error is beyond our control because we do not know, nor can we ask what the right information is. You need to verify the accuracy of the information, then revise and resubmit.

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

  • Self-Select PIN/AGI does not match IRS database. You need to enter the exact amount or contact the IRS to verify the exact amount. You can also choose not to use the PIN/AGI and mail a Form 8453-OL later to avoid delay.
  • Last Name, Birthday and SSN do not match for taxpayer, spouse or dependents. If you believe you have entered correct information, you need to contact IRS to see what they have. If their information is wrong, you can request correction through SSA, then e-file. Or you can e-file using the wrong information, then request SSA correction 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 should 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 the IRS will sort it out later.

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

You might not have chosen to e-file the State return when you selected Proceed to e-file. You need to go back to your saved returns, Load the return, and click on the States section to e-file a State-Only return.

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

No, revise and resubmit features are free with eSmart Tax Online.

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)

  • Typically, you will not be able to cancel or stop a submitted e-file. For your convenience, eSmart Tax enabled an instant Cancel feature that allows a very small window of time for you to cancel. Between your submission and our initial processing, there could be a very short idle time (could be a few minutes) that the Cancel button is available.
  • If a Cancel button is available in your e-file Status, you can cancel the e-file you just submitted. If you do not see a Cancel button, then you have to wait for your e-file result before anything can be done.

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/faq1-3.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 your taxes done fast and easy.