topic Re: Re, E-file limits in Get your taxes done using TurboTax

I need to efile more than federal returns, for family members. Can I do this if I buy another desktop version of TurboTax, and put it on another computer?

najmarty1 — Thu, 06 Jun 2019 09:47:31 GMT

Do you have a Desktop program already? If so which one?

CrystalS2 — Thu, 06 Jun 2019 09:47:32 GMT

Do you have a Desktop program already? If so which one?

I meant to say I need to efile more than 5 federal return...

maw111194 — Thu, 06 Jun 2019 09:47:32 GMT

I meant to say I need to efile more than 5 federal returns. Yes - I have the desktop Home & Business version. The additional returns (on top of the first 5), would require the desktop version Premium version, which I have not yet purchased.

Thank you

maw111194 — Thu, 06 Jun 2019 09:47:36 GMT

Thank you

The IRS imposes a limit of 5 e-mail returns. Preparing g...

CrystalS2 — Thu, 06 Jun 2019 09:47:39 GMT

The IRS imposes a limit of 5 e-mail returns.  Preparing greater than 5 returns is viewed by the IRS as being 'a preparer' and requires registration with the IRS.  It is NOT a TurboTax limitation, and it does not matter how many TurboTax packages you buy; if you try to e-file more than 5 returns you should consider it an invitation to the IRS to contact you.

NOTE: To prepare more than five e-files, you will need to become an Authorized e-file Provider and register as an ERO (Electronic Returns Originator) with the IRS, see:
http://www.irs.gov/Tax-Professionals/e-File-Providers-&-Partners/Become-an-Authorized-e-file-Provider
    Intuit has 2 products for tax preparers:
      ProSeries    http://proseries.intuit.com/
      Lacerte    http://lacerte.intuit.com/index.jsp

However; while you can only e-file 5 returns, the TurboTax software will let you PRINT and MAIL as many additional copies as you need at NO additional charge for the federal returns.

Re: Do you have a Desktop program already? If so which one?

dmpdlib56 — Wed, 27 May 2020 22:25:44 GMT

premier

Re: Do you have a Desktop program already? If so which one?

Critter — Wed, 27 May 2020 22:52:55 GMT

May I suggest using one of the IRS FREE FILE options for those returns that qualify so as to not use up the 5 returns in the program you purchased ... this is a good option for kid returns ...

https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free

Re: The IRS imposes a limit of 5 e-mail returns. Preparing g...

pops — Thu, 11 Jun 2020 15:56:59 GMT

So if I use a different email to file a 6th return it should work right?

Re: The IRS imposes a limit of 5 e-mail returns. Preparing g...

Critter — Thu, 11 Jun 2020 16:14:38 GMT

Wrong ... the account registration is limited to 5 per email address and has nothing to do with the Efiling limitations on the downloaded version which is limited to 5 per the IRS regulations.

Re: The IRS imposes a limit of 5 e-mail returns. Preparing g...

Sastre70 — Wed, 19 May 2021 04:38:04 GMT

I retired from IRS after 32 years and serve as a volunteer in the Free Tax Prep program IRS/United Way partner program using Taxslayer. IRS doesn't care how many tax returns Turbo tax filers efile and none of my IRS colleagues have ever heard of such a policy. All IRS cares about is folks file and pay taxes. If you are a paid preparer by law you are required to file and pay the appropriate taxes. whether you get paid to prepare 1 tax return or1,000s. I use to e-file tax returns for my family and friends FREE using Turbo Tax but now that they have limited the number of returns that can be efiled, which includes the ones rejected by IRS, I have referred my family and friends to our Free Tax Prep site staff by volunteers who are IRS employees, retirees, attorneys, CPAs, etc., where we prepare and e-file an unlimited number of federal and state tax returns FREE for the average worker bee (if you are rich you should get a professional CPA or tax attorney). I believe Turbo Tax got greedy. Paying $500.00 or more for Turbo Tax's Pro Series to file 6 or more tax returns is ridiculous. Turbotax is not authorized to monitor the number of paid tax preparers. After numerous years of purchasing Turbotax software I can save my money now and bring my family and friends to our Tax Free Prep and E-File site for their federal AND state returns.

Re: The IRS imposes a limit of 5 e-mail returns. Preparing g...

VolvoGirl — Wed, 19 May 2021 04:46:15 GMT

Heres some some posts that might help explain it

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/4779716-i-purchased-a-2nd-home-business-software-to-file-more-tax-returns-but-it-says-i-already-filed-5-times-so-it-won-t-let-me-is-it-because-i-have-the-same-email-address

Re: The IRS imposes a limit of 5 e-mail returns. Preparing g...

macuser_22 — Wed, 19 May 2021 04:57:15 GMT

@Sastre70 wrote:

I retired from IRS after 32 years and serve as a volunteer in the Free Tax Prep program IRS/United Way partner program using Taxslayer. IRS doesn't care how many tax returns Turbo tax filers efile and none of my IRS colleagues have ever heard of such a policy. All IRS cares about is folks file and pay taxes. If you are a paid preparer by law you are required to file and pay the appropriate taxes. whether you get paid to prepare 1 tax return or1,000s. I use to e-file tax returns for my family and friends FREE using Turbo Tax but now that they have limited the number of returns that can be efiled, which includes the ones rejected by IRS, I have referred my family and friends to our Free Tax Prep site staff by volunteers who are IRS employees, retirees, attorneys, CPAs, etc., where we prepare and e-file an unlimited number of federal and state tax returns FREE for the average worker bee (if you are rich you should get a professional CPA or tax attorney). I believe Turbo Tax got greedy. Paying $500.00 or more for Turbo Tax's Pro Series to file 6 or more tax returns is ridiculous. Turbotax is not authorized to monitor the number of paid tax preparers. After numerous years of purchasing Turbotax software I can save my money now and bring my family and friends to our Tax Free Prep and E-File site for their federal AND state returns.

Then you have not read the IRS rules and restrictions for self-prepared e-file providers.

https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p1345.pdf

5. Ensure that it does not transmit or accept for transmission more than five electronic returns originating from one software package or from one e-mail address;

This requirement is spelled out in detail in the ERO providers contract with the IRS.

Re, E-file limits

user2828 — Sat, 12 Feb 2022 00:29:11 GMT

: I need to efile more than 5 federal returns, for family members. Can I do this if I buy another desktop version of TurboTax

Re: Re, E-file limits

MichelleLO — Sat, 12 Feb 2022 15:38:51 GMT

Assuming you are using TurboTax CD/Download software, you can prepare as many returns as you need to, but only 5 of those returns can be e-filed per IRS regulations. Purchasing additional software will not change this limit imposed by the IRS. For more information, please see the below TurboTax FAQ.

How many returns can I e-file in the TurboTax CD/Download software?

@user2828

Re: IRS limit of 5 e-mail returns

MartyDC — Sat, 05 Nov 2022 16:22:11 GMT

I prepare returns for no money for family/friends. If I'm using these people's email address how does the IRS know that I've prepared more than 5? If I did register with the IRS, would the Turbo Tax program then let me exceed the 5 limit?

Re: IRS limit of 5 e-mail returns

VolvoGirl — Sat, 05 Nov 2022 16:57:35 GMT

I think it goes by your IP address and email. And probably in the Turbo Tax program. 5 efiles is an IRS limit. It's to prevent fraud and people filing fake returns. To do more you have to sign up as a ERO - Electronic Returns Originator and be an authorized E-file provider. https://www.irs.gov/e-file-providers/become-an-authorized-e-file-provider. To do more than 5efiles you have to buy Intuit Products for Tax Professionals at https://proconnect.intuit.com

This post has info explaining 5 efiles
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/taxes/discussion/re-re-e-file-limits/01/2471668#M883293

Re: IRS limit of 5 e-mail returns

xmasbaby0 — Sat, 05 Nov 2022 19:37:51 GMT

It is not using the email addresses you enter for the individual people whose returns you are preparing. So, no, entering different email addresses for them will not let you e-file more than five federal returns. If you have more than five returns to file, some of them can be filed by mail.

Not sure what you think "registering" with the IRS means. If you have the credentials to use professional tax software you can purchase and use that software, prepare tax returns for as many people as you want, and e-file them. But you cannot use ordinary TurboTax for more than five federal e-files; paid tax preparers---or even generous people preparing returns for family members -- cannot get around that IRS limit with TurboTax.

Professional tax software

From IRS PUB 1345 —- limit of 5 e-files

https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p1345.pdf

This appears on page 36

Additional Requirements for Participants in Online Filing

In addition to the above, participants in Online Filing must adhere to the following:

Ensure that no more than five electronic returns are filed from one software package or one e-mail address.
2. Supply a taxpayer with a correct Submission ID.

Re: The IRS imposes a limit of 5 e-mail returns. Preparing g...

JAM777 — Sun, 17 Mar 2024 02:35:39 GMT

How does the IRS come up with or track the five, is it tied to the TurboTax serial number, and email address or the IP address from which the return was attempted to be filed?

Re: The IRS imposes a limit of 5 e-mail returns. Preparing g...

Cynthiad66 — Sun, 17 Mar 2024 16:36:53 GMT

If you use TurboTax Online, you can file one federal return with up to five state returns per Intuit Account.

If you use TurboTax Desktop, you can e-file five federal returns with up to three state returns each. However, you can paper-file as many returns as you’d like.

Per IRS rules, you can only e-file up to five federal returns using the same email address or phone number with personal tax return preparation products.

Our license agreement doesn't allow TurboTax to be used for commercial or professional tax preparation. If you need to file multiple returns because you prepare taxes for a living, check out our professional tax software.

@JAM777