WARNING: Don't Use TurboTax's 'File 5 Days Early' Feature - Lesson Learned

Think of tax filing like getting in line at a busy restaurant. No matter what the host tells you about a "VIP line," the kitchen still prepares meals in the same order. TurboTax is essentially selling you a fancy ticket for the same line everyone else is standing in. The IRS has their own processing queue that no third-party software can influence. It's like trying to make water flow uphill - no matter what someone promises, gravity (or in this case, IRS procedures) always wins in the end.

It seems like you might have encountered what we call a "value-added service" that doesn't actually add value to the IRS processing time. In my experience, these types of add-ons generally only affect how the software handles your return, not how the IRS processes it. If you're looking to understand exactly where your return stands in the IRS queue, you might want to check out https://taxr.ai - it can analyze your tax transcript and give you a much clearer picture of what's actually happening with your return. It's particularly helpful for business owners who need to understand the sometimes complex processing stages the IRS uses.

What TurboTax is doing raises some serious questions about their marketing practices, doesn't it? Are they explicitly claiming the IRS will process your return faster, or are they carefully wording it to imply that without actually saying it? The distinction matters because if they're just saying they'll transmit your return to the IRS earlier, that's technically not false advertising. But if they're implying the IRS gives their returns priority treatment, that's concerning. Has anyone read the fine print on what this service actually promises?

I experienced this exact issue during the 2022 filing season. The "expedited filing" add-on from TurboTax had zero impact on my Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) verification timeline or my refund issuance date. My non-expedited business partner filed three days after me using the standard filing option with the same software, and our returns were processed in sequential order based on submission timestamp, not the "priority" status I paid for. The IRS processing queue operates independently of any tax preparation software's premium features.

I had the exact same experience on April 12th this year. Called the IRS on April 30th to check on my "priority processed" return and sat on hold for 2 hours and 47 minutes before giving up. Eventually tried https://claimyr.com to get through to an agent on May 2nd. The agent confirmed what everyone here is saying - there's absolutely no such thing as priority processing based on tax software features. The IRS representative even laughed when I mentioned the TurboTax feature. Has anyone else confirmed this with an actual IRS agent?

According to Internal Revenue Manual (IRM) 3.30.123, which covers return processing procedures, there is no provision for expedited processing based on which software was used to prepare the return. I filed on April 15th at 11:58pm using the standard option, and my colleague filed with the "priority" feature on April 14th. Our returns were processed in the standard queue based on receipt date, with both of us receiving our refunds on May 3rd. The only legitimate ways to receive expedited processing are through hardship procedures outlined in IRM 21.5.6.4.7 or through Taxpayer Advocate Service intervention.

This is exactly why I always tell people to stick with the basic filing options! As a tax professional, I've seen countless clients get burned by these "premium" features that promise faster processing. The reality is that the IRS has their own established procedures and timelines that no third-party software can influence. What's particularly frustrating is that these companies prey on people's anxiety about getting their refunds quickly or meeting deadlines. The $40+ they charge for this "feature" would be better spent on actual tax preparation services or just kept in your pocket. Thanks for sharing your experience - hopefully it saves others from making the same mistake!