OK, I did a screen sharing session with a high-level technical support representative and he saw everything that I did, including attaching the signed Form 8453-S and submitting for e-file and getting that same response that "Electronic Filing Center is not open..." A formal ticket has been issued to resolve the e-file issue all of us business owners are having.
Also, I have come to understand that the link mentioned in here regarding the S-Corp documents list and specifically regarding: Form 8453-S, Declaration for an IRS e-file Return - E-file - unsupported - means that a tax specialist does not support help on this form, not that the system does not support this form. Makes sense because it is a signature form with your numbers on it and doesn't need tax specialist assistance BUT it does need to be submitted. I think we will find in 48 hours or less (hopefully) we will be able to e-file into taxes complete and issue resolved bliss.
