Taxes returned by IRS for missing signature and W-2 form - help needed!
I used TurboTax to file my taxes this year (first time doing it independently) but ran into a problem. Since I was missing my last W-2, TurboTax recommended that I mail in my return instead of e-filing. Well, I just got everything sent back from the IRS because I forgot to sign the forms and didn't attach my W-2. Now I'm completely confused about what to do next. Is it possible for me to just e-file now that I have all my W-2s, or do I have to mail everything in again? Also, do I need to attach my W-2 to my state tax return too? If so, how exactly do I do that? I feel so stupid asking these questions, but I'm honestly lost. This tax stuff is way more complicated than I expected, and I don't want to mess up again and delay my refund even longer. Any help would be seriously appreciated!
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Sean Murphy
Don't worry, this is a common issue for first-time filers! Here's what you need to know: Since the IRS returned your paper return, you have two options: 1) You can e-file now if you have all your W-2s. This is generally the fastest and most reliable option. Since your paper return was rejected (not processed), you're free to e-file instead. 2) Or you can mail it back in correctly. If you go this route, you must sign the 1040 form and include all W-2s (paper copies, not just transcripts). For your state return: Most states also require W-2s to be attached to paper returns. However, the requirements vary by state. Which state are you filing in? That would help me give you more specific guidance. Don't feel bad about asking these questions! The tax system isn't exactly user-friendly for newcomers.
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Anastasia Ivanova
•Thank you so much! I'm filing in Illinois. I think I'd rather just e-file now since I finally have all my W-2s and it sounds like that would be easier. Do I need to do anything special with the returned paperwork the IRS sent back, or can I just start a new e-file?
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Sean Murphy
•For Illinois, if you choose to e-file your federal return, you can typically e-file your Illinois state return at the same time through TurboTax. This eliminates the need to attach W-2s since the information is transmitted electronically. You don't need to do anything with the returned paperwork from the IRS. You can simply start a new e-file through TurboTax. The system will recognize that you haven't successfully filed yet, so there's no issue with filing "again." Just make sure you have all your W-2s on hand to enter the information correctly.
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StarStrider
I had almost the exact same issue last year! After weeks of waiting for my refund, I found out my return was rejected because I didn't include one W-2 and forgot to sign. Super frustrating. I ended up using https://taxr.ai to scan all my tax documents and check for errors before resubmitting. It caught a few mistakes I would have missed (including a missing signature field) and made sure all my W-2s were properly accounted for. Saved me from another rejection! The tool also explained exactly what attachments were required for both federal and state returns. Might be worth checking out if you're concerned about making another mistake.
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Zara Malik
•Does this tool work with TurboTax or is it a separate tax filing system? I'm having similar issues and wondering if I need to start over with a different service.
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Luca Marino
•I'm skeptical about these kinds of services. Does it actually catch real errors or just obvious stuff? And can it really tell you what attachments you need for different states? Seems like that would be really complicated.
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StarStrider
•It works alongside whatever tax software you're already using. I used it with TurboTax by uploading my completed forms before submitting them. It's not a replacement for tax software - more like a final check to catch errors. The state-specific guidance was actually pretty helpful. It identified which W-2s and other forms needed to be attached for Illinois specifically (which is different from some other states). It's basically like having someone double-check your work before you submit.
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Luca Marino
I was totally skeptical about taxr.ai but decided to try it after my return got kicked back TWICE for stupid errors (missing signature and then a math error). Holy crap it actually works well! I uploaded my documents and it found THREE issues I had missed - including a mismatch between my W-2 and what I had entered in TurboTax. Would have definitely caused another rejection. Also gave me clear instructions about exactly what I needed to include with my Illinois return. Just filed last week and already got confirmation that both federal and state were accepted. No more rejections!
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Nia Davis
If you're still having trouble reaching the IRS for questions about your return, try https://claimyr.com - I waited on hold with the IRS for HOURS trying to figure out why my return with missing W-2s was rejected, with no luck. Claimyr got me connected to an actual IRS agent in about 20 minutes who explained exactly what I needed to do. You can see how it works here: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c The agent told me that missing signatures and W-2s are among the most common reasons returns get sent back, and gave me specific instructions for resubmitting correctly. Saved me tons of time and frustration!
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Anastasia Ivanova
•Wait, how does this actually work? Does it somehow get you through the IRS phone tree faster? Their wait times are insane so I'm confused how this could possibly work.
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Mateo Perez
•Yeah right. Nothing gets you through to the IRS faster. They're impossible to reach. I've tried calling dozens of times about my rejected return and never got through. This sounds like a scam to me.
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Nia Davis
•It basically waits on hold for you. You enter your phone number, and when the service reaches an actual IRS agent, it calls you and connects you. So instead of personally waiting on hold for hours, you just get a call when an agent is available. I was skeptical too until I tried it. The IRS is understaffed which is why wait times are so long, but this service just handles the waiting part for you. The actual call is directly with an IRS agent who can access your file and explain what happened with your return.
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Mateo Perez
I take back what I said about Claimyr. After my frustrated comment, I decided "what the hell" and tried it anyway since I was desperate to figure out why my return with missing W-2s was rejected TWICE. Got a call back in about 35 minutes with an actual IRS agent on the line. They explained that I needed to not only include my W-2s but also sign in a specific color ink (blue!!) for my paper return. Would have NEVER known that without talking to them. Resubmitted correctly and my refund was processed within 2 weeks. Honestly worth it just for the peace of mind knowing I fixed everything correctly.
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Aisha Rahman
Here's a tip that saved me when I had a similar situation: make copies of EVERYTHING before you mail it back. I had my return sent back twice (once for missing W-2, then for a signature issue), and having copies made it much easier to figure out what went wrong. Also, use certified mail with tracking when you send it back. That way you have proof the IRS received it. Learned that lesson the hard way when they claimed they never got my corrected return!
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CosmicCrusader
•Does certified mail really make a difference? I've been sending my returns regular mail for years and never had an issue until this year when they claimed they didn't receive it.
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Aisha Rahman
•Absolutely makes a difference! When the IRS claimed they never received my return, I was able to provide the certified mail tracking number that proved it was delivered. They found it in their system within days after that. Regular mail has no proof of delivery, so if your return gets lost in their massive processing centers (which happens surprisingly often), you have no way to prove you actually sent it. The extra few dollars for certified mail is cheap insurance.
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Ethan Brown
Quick question - does TurboTax charge you again if you switch from paper filing to e-filing? I had the same issue and I'm worried about getting double-charged if I now try to e-file.
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Yuki Yamamoto
•They shouldn't charge you again. I had to switch from paper to e-file last year and TurboTax didn't charge me a second fee. The payment is for preparing your return, not specifically for the filing method. Just log back into your account and choose e-file instead of paper filing.
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Carmen Ortiz
Little-known fact: if you e-file, the IRS actually gets digital copies of your W-2s directly from your employer in most cases! That's why e-filing is less prone to these kinds of errors. The W-2 attachment requirement is mainly for paper filing. If you do need to paper file again, remember to sign in BLUE ink (makes it easier for them to identify original signatures vs photocopies) and attach all W-2s with paper clips, not staples.
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Anastasia Ivanova
•That makes so much sense about e-filing! I'm definitely going to go that route. Quick follow-up question - do I need to do anything special with my state taxes if I e-file federal? Can I e-file both together through TurboTax?
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Carmen Ortiz
•Yes, you can e-file both federal and state together through TurboTax! It's actually designed to handle both simultaneously. When you select e-file for federal, it will give you the option to e-file your state return as well. The state e-file might have a separate fee depending on your TurboTax package, but it's typically worth it for the convenience and faster processing. Illinois is fully set up for e-filing, so you shouldn't have any issues.
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Lucas Adams
One thing that helped me when I had a similar situation - make sure to double-check that all your W-2 information is entered correctly in TurboTax before you e-file. Even a small typo in the employer name or wage amounts can cause issues. Also, since you mentioned this is your first time filing independently, here's a helpful tip: after you e-file, you should get email confirmations from both the IRS (for federal) and Illinois (for state) within 24-48 hours confirming your returns were accepted. If you don't get those confirmations, log back into TurboTax to check the status. Don't stress too much about the delay - getting your return sent back actually happens to a lot of people, especially first-time filers. The important thing is you caught the mistakes and can fix them now!
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