Use the table below to see what each status means and what to do next.
What each status means
Status | What it means | What to do |
Needs action | Something needs your attention. A form was rejected, or the IRS flagged an issue on a form it already accepted. | |
Incomplete | Required information is missing from the form. It can't be e-filed until it's complete. | Open the form and fill in the missing boxes. |
Ready to file | Everything is filled in and valid. It just hasn't been submitted yet. On the Forms page, this tab is called Ready. | Select it and click Checkout & File. |
Queued & sent | The form was submitted and is waiting on a response. | Nothing. Check back later. |
Accepted | The IRS accepted the form, or you marked it as filed on paper. Both count as accepted. | Nothing, unless you need a correction. |
Check your form statuses
On the Dashboard, click What do these statuses mean? to see a short description of each status.
Click a status, such as Incomplete, to see the forms that have it.
On the Forms page, click another tab, such as Ready, to see forms with a different status.
Point to a status under MAIL DELIVERY or EMAIL DELIVERY to see the delivery history for that form.
Forms move from Incomplete to Ready to file once their required information is filled in.
Common questions
Why don’t the Dashboard counts match the Forms page tabs?
The Dashboard counts each form’s federal status for the current tax year. The Forms page tabs also look at the state status. If a form is complete for the IRS but missing state information, it shows as Ready to file on the Dashboard and Incomplete on the Forms page. Open the form and complete the state section to clear it.
Why is a form on both the Queued & sent and Accepted tabs?
The IRS has accepted it, but the state filing is still in progress. Check the Federal and State columns to see each one.
Why can’t I file a form that says Incomplete?
Required information is still missing. Open the form, fill in the missing boxes, and it moves to Ready to file.
I filed a form on paper. How do I show that?
On the Forms page, click Actions on the form’s row and choose Mark as Paper Filed. The form then counts as Accepted. Helper may also prompt you to confirm this after you print Copy A.
What should I do when a form says Needs action?
Point to the form’s status to see which case it is:
Rejected: The form wasn’t accepted and needs to be fixed and filed again. Click Actions on its row and choose Edit & Replace.
Accepted with Errors: The agency accepted the form but flagged errors. Click Actions on its row and choose Make a correction.
When your forms show Ready to file, you’re ready to eFile. See How to eFile with the IRS or SSA.