Is there a problem with Quick Employer Forms online? I keep getting an error trying to create a business.

[balofpine]

I have turbotax online and have been unable to access quick employer forms to submit my 1099s for 10 days now. I keep getting stuck in a loop. I log into my turbotax account, click the link to QEF, and get a screen that tells me to purchase it or log in. I log in again, and repeat the same loop over and over again. I have cleared my cache and I have tried other browsers. I have spent 2 calls with turbotax agents totaling 3 hours of my time at this point, and it has been a complete waste. Beyond frustrating. 

[damnath1]

I had the same issue a couple of years ago. The workaround that I discovered was to start my new return through Turbotax online before retrying QEF. So in this case, try starting your 2025 return first before trying again.

[user17687486921]

Thank you. Will you clarify what you mean by start my return first? This will be my 3rd year filing an 1120s with TurboTax. I have entered the basic business info for 2025 and purchased the 2025 online turbotax. Are you saying that if I start entering some income and expenses, the QEFs will work? Thank you again for your reply.

[damnath1]

It was after I had started my 1040 on Turboxtax online (with the same user ID etc) that QEF online started working for me. Hope that helps.  

[VolvoGirl]

@user17687486921   If you are filing a 1120-S return are you using the Windows Desktop Business program?  What do you mean you purchased the 2025 online Turbo Tax?  There is no online version unless you use the Online Live Service version, which is very expensive.  

How are you starting to go to QEF?  You need to open the Business program.  I don't know how the Business  program works for QEF but go up to File in the top  black menu bar and see if it says Create 1099/W-2.  FYI -  you can either prepare 1099/W2 on your computer or using the online QEF Quick Employer Forms.   

You might need to be Signed in.  See if you are signed in at the bottom of the File tab.  If you are signed in it will say Signed in as [name] under File.  If you are signed out, it will say Sign in under File. 

[user17687486921]

Thank you for your reply. While signed in, I click from the tax prep pages through to the QEFs and continually enter the loop I described. I have spent three hours on the phone with TT agents who couldn't figure anything out. 

[CatinaT1]

Are you still having a problem with this?

Can you confirm you are accessing the Quick Employer Forms (QEF) from within your TurboTax Business software?

If you access the QEF website directly, it is not recognizing your Business Software purchase, resulting in the "purchase here" prompt you are seeing.

These are the steps to make sure you can get to the online forms:

1. Open your TurboTax Business 2025 software on your computer.
2. Go to the Federal Taxes tab (or the Welcome screen if you haven't started a return yet).
3. Look for a section or link labeled Prepare W-2s and 1099s for my employees or contractors.
4. When asked how you want to prepare these forms, select the option to Prepare them online using Quick Employer Forms.
5. The software will open a browser window and automatically pass your credentials and "paid" status to the QEF website.

If the software still leads to a purchase page, a browser cookie or cache issue is likely preventing the connection between the software and the website.

If these are the steps you are already using, here are some things to try:

1. Clear Browser Cache: If you are using the online version, close the QEF window, clear your browser’s Cache and Cookies, and then click the link in the TurboTax software again.
2. Try a Different Browser: If your default browser (e.g., Chrome) is stuck in a loop, try another one like Firefox or Edge.
3. Try an Incognito Window: Open your browser's Incognito or Private mode and then try the link from the software again.
4. Check for Updates: If you are using the desktop software, make sure it is fully updated. You can do this by going to Help > Check for Updates.

Employer Quick Forms FAQ

[user17687486921]

Catina,
As I mentioned in my post:
- I have purchased TT online 2025 for my business
- I have cleared my cache
- I have tried a different browser and incognito windows
- I have tried accessing the QEF by clicking thru from turbotaxonline >  tax tools > employer forms, and also via a fresh link directly to the QEF url. I continue to be stuck in a loop even though I am always logged in.

I have spent 3 hours with 2 different turbo tax agents on screenshare who could not figure it out. Neither agent followed up to solve the issue.