Filing return for parents

[jramsey2008]

This has happened two years in a row. I'm filing returns for my elderly parents who live in another state. Everything appears fine all of the way through the eFiling process, but the federal return is rejected and, as a consequence, so is the state's. The reason given is a discrepancy in my father's birthdate, which has never changed in any of the previous filings. TurboTax directs me to file by mail, which creates tremendous logistical problems, including getting signatures from the parents who are housed in memory care units. Is any of this fixable so as to enable refiling electronically?

[VolvoGirl · Accepted solution]

The IRS gets the birthdate from Social Security.  You need to find out what SS has on file.  

[jramsey2008]

We're checking on this, though I doubt there is an error there. The program treats me as my father when I'm preparing the return. As I'm preparing it on their behalf, is there a different approach I should be using?

[VolvoGirl]

That sounds right  Answer as if you are the father.  You are preparing his return.  You don't enter your info  

[jramsey2008]

Thanks. Just a thought though. Since I eFiled my return earlier from this package, is there any chance that my information is being used in eFiling their return?

[VolvoGirl]

OK lets start at the beginning?  What package are you using?  Did you install the Desktop CD/Download program or are you using the Online web version?  

[jramsey2008]

I'm using Home and Business for Mac, installed from a CD.

[jramsey2008]

Also, the error message in the notification message suggests a different type of error:

IND-525 - If 'PINTypeCd' in the Return Header has the value "Self-Select On-Line" and the filing status of the return is married filing jointly and each of the following does not have a value: ['SpecialProcessingLiteralCd' and 'CombatZoneCd' and 'SpecialProcessingCodeTxt' and 'PrimaryDeathDt'], then 'PrimaryBirthDt' in the Return Header must match the e-File database.

[VolvoGirl]

OK.  Did you start a NEW return for your parents?  File - New?  Your return should be in a separate file ending in .tax2020 in Documents or hiding somewhere on Mac in Finder.  I don't know Mac.  Also if your name is the same as your father's or same initials you need to save each return with a unique name or the second one might overwrite the first one.  Maybe go up to FILE - SAVE AS?  Go up to FILE-Open and see if your return is still listed separate.  Maybe a Mac user can help us.  @macuser_22  I think he has screen shots.

[jramsey2008]

I started a new return and imported the information from their 2019 return. I haven't successfully eFiled for them before, so I'm not sure what the eFile database represents that would have his birthday for comparison.