topic Is there a way to test if e-file will work ahead of time without sending? in After you file

Is there a way to test if e-file will work ahead of time without sending?

Jim202010 — Wed, 14 Oct 2020 17:17:26 GMT

As I'm working on a return, I would like to know if there are issues that prevent e-file earlier in the process then at filing time.

Is there a way to test in advance and discover what entries might prevent that?

The obvious is "mark estimated" so no need to mention that.

But some attached statements or overrides may prevent e-file.

Are there other things as well?

Anyway, a way to show or find all blocks to e-file would be handy.

Re: Is there a way to test if e-file will work ahead of time without sending?

Anonymous — Wed, 14 Oct 2020 17:20:38 GMT

there is no such test. it could be the very last thing you enter that prevents e filing.

Re: Is there a way to test if e-file will work ahead of time without sending?

VolvoGirl — Wed, 14 Oct 2020 17:24:39 GMT

No, you have to actually efile it and if it rejects you can fix it then and resend it. There can be lots of reasons to be rejected.

Re: Is there a way to test if e-file will work ahead of time without sending?

Jim202010 — Wed, 14 Oct 2020 17:25:53 GMT

Thank you for your response.

Yes, I agree would have to test again if I make changes.

But it is disappointing that there isn't a way to ask the question "as of now".

I guess I am going to have to make a copy of the file, eliminate all "estimates", then try to submit and cancel it?

I sure hope you can cancel the submit...

Re: Is there a way to test if e-file will work ahead of time without sending?

VolvoGirl — Wed, 14 Oct 2020 17:28:44 GMT

NO! You can not cancel after you submit it. Unless it rejects for something. Just like dropping it in the mailbox. You can't get it back.

Re: Is there a way to test if e-file will work ahead of time without sending?

rjs — Wed, 14 Oct 2020 18:24:12 GMT

@Jim202010 wrote:

But some attached statements or overrides may prevent e-file.

Any override prevents e-filing.

Re: Is there a way to test if e-file will work ahead of time without sending?

Jim202010 — Wed, 14 Oct 2020 21:42:00 GMT

@rjs wrote:
@Jim202010 wrote:
But some attached statements or overrides may prevent e-file.
Any override prevents e-filing.

Yes. Any way to list the overrides?

Re: Is there a way to test if e-file will work ahead of time without sending?

VolvoGirl — Wed, 14 Oct 2020 21:47:23 GMT

ALL overrides prevents Efiling. You would know if you made any. If you want to change a number you have to find the source detail worksheet to make the entry on. Are you going directly into Forms and overriding amounts?

Re: Is there a way to test if e-file will work ahead of time without sending?

Critter-3 — Wed, 14 Oct 2020 21:49:27 GMT

What's the meaning of all the different colors in Forms Mode?

When you look at an onscreen tax form using Forms Mode, you might wonder why one figure is blue and the one next to it is red or black.

These colors indicate the source of that data.

Color	Meaning
Blue	You entered this data, either in the interview or Forms Mode.
Black	The program entered this data or calculated this amount.
Red	This data has either been overridden or is invalid (for example, a ZIP code that doesn't exist).
Red italics	You marked this amount as estimated.
Black italics	The program calculated this amount from an amount you marked as estimated.
Purple	This information has supporting details.
Aquamarine	This data was transferred over from last year.
Green	This data was imported from Quicken or QuickBooks.
Yellow fields (Windows)	Yellow fields allow user input. Anything you enter here shows up in blue.

Re: Is there a way to test if e-file will work ahead of time without sending?

VolvoGirl — Wed, 14 Oct 2020 21:50:38 GMT

Yes I just remembered. You can go to Forms and see which ones are overrides. I think they are in red. See this, What do all the Colors mean?

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1901345-what-s-the-meaning-of-all-the-different-colors-in-forms-mode

Re: Is there a way to test if e-file will work ahead of time without sending?

Jim202010 — Wed, 14 Oct 2020 21:58:17 GMT

@VolvoGirl wrote:
ALL overrides prevents Efiling. You would know if you made any. If you want to change a number you have to find the source detail worksheet to make the entry on. Are you going directly into Forms and overriding amounts?

Complexity of the return requires using Forms.

Since I'm used to using a Mac and TT is on a Windows machine, I'm just worried that I might have accidentally hit ctrl-d in some place and not realized it.

Laboriously going through 50-100 forms to search for override colors would be tedious and error prone due to fatigue.

Re: Is there a way to test if e-file will work ahead of time without sending?

Critter-3 — Wed, 14 Oct 2020 22:11:05 GMT

In the FORMS mode click on the error check (stop sign) and then look down the list of forms ... ones that have any red ! marks need attention ... that is where the overrides live.

Re: Is there a way to test if e-file will work ahead of time without sending?

rjs — Wed, 14 Oct 2020 22:30:41 GMT

@Jim202010 wrote:
Yes. Any way to list the overrides?

A form with an override will not have a red exclamation mark.

Here's how you can see a list of all your overrides (if any). On the Tools menu select My Tax Data. A window will open that lists all the entries in your return. Any entry that was overridden will say Overridden in the Source column. You can click on the heading of the Source column to sort on that column, so that any Overridden entries will be together. If there are Details or Import entries at the top of the list after you sort it, scroll down to see if there are any Overridden entries after the Details and Import entries. The item in the My Tax Data list tells you the form and line number that has the override. You can click on an overridden item in the list, then click the Go To Form button at the bottom of the list to go to the form that has the override.

Re: Is there a way to test if e-file will work ahead of time without sending?

Jim202010 — Wed, 14 Oct 2020 22:56:28 GMT

@rjs wrote:
@Jim202010 wrote:
Yes. Any way to list the overrides?
A form with an override will not have a red exclamation mark.

Here's how you can see a list of all your overrides (if any). On the Tools menu select My Tax Data. A window will open that lists all the entries in your return. Any entry that was overridden will say Overridden in the Source column. You can click on the heading of the Source column to sort on that column, so that any Overridden entries will be together. If there are Details or Import entries at the top of the list after you sort it, scroll down to see if there are any Overridden entries after the Details and Import entries. The item in the My Tax Data list tells you the form and line number that has the override. You can click on an overridden item in the list, then click the Go To Form button at the bottom of the list to go to the form that has the override.

The tools "My Tax Data" suggestion is very helpful, thanks!

I find no overridden values.

Re: Is there a way to test if e-file will work ahead of time without sending?

Critter-3 — Wed, 14 Oct 2020 23:05:37 GMT

@rjs

Thanks ... it has been a while since I played with a downloaded app ... they really should have a tutorial on how to best use the program ...

This is my mini version of a tutorial that should be in the downloaded program:

Always remember to shut off the auto update function once you have filed your returns and do not do any updates unless you have safeguarded the PDF & .taxfiles to a removable storage unit for safekeeping.

What is Forms Mode?

Forms Mode lets you view and make changes to your tax forms "behind the scenes."

If you're adventurous, you can even prepare your return in Forms Mode, but we don't recommend it. You may miss obscure credits and deductions you qualify for, and you may forget to report things that will come back and haunt you later.

Forms Mode is exclusively available in the TurboTax CD/Download software. It is not available in TurboTax Online.

Related Information:

If you want to play around with different figures and tax scenarios without affecting your original return you can ….

>>>In the TurboTax CD/Download software by creating a test copy:
1. Open your return in TurboTax.
2. From the File menu, choose Save As.
3. Give the copy a new name to distinguish it from the original (for example, by adding "Test" or "Example" to the file name).
4. Click Save. You are now safely working in the test copy and anything you do here will not affect the original.
https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1900642-how-to-make-a-test-copy-of-your-return

>> use the WHAT IF tool:
- Click Forms Icon (upper right of screen) or Ctrl 2 (forms view)
- Click on the Open Form Icon
- In the “Type a form name.” area type What-If (with the dash), click on the name of the worksheet - click on Open Form
- You will see the worksheet on the right side of the screen; enter the information right into the form
- To get back to interview mode - click on the Step-by-Step Icon (upper right of screen) or Ctrl 1

It's always a good idea to make a backup copy of your tax data file, in case your original gets lost or corrupted. Here's how:

From the File menu in the upper-left corner of TurboTax, choose Save As (Windows) or Save (Mac).
Browse to where you want to save your backup.
- Tip: If you're saving to a portable device, save it to your computer first to prevent data corruption. Then, after completing Step 4, copy or move the backup file to your device.
In the File name field, enter a name that will distinguish it from the original tax file (for example, add "Backup" or "Copy" to the file name)
Click Save and then close TurboTax.
Restart TurboTax and open the backup copy to make sure it's not corrupted. If you get an error, delete the backup and repeat these steps.

If you make changes to your original tax return file, repeat these steps to ensure your original and backup copies are in-synch.

Related Information:

AND save it as a PDF so you have access to a copy even if you don’t have the program still installed and operational :

AND protect the files :

How can I protect the tax files on my computer?

Re: Is there a way to test if e-file will work ahead of time without sending?

Jim202010 — Wed, 14 Oct 2020 23:15:23 GMT

@Critter-3 wrote:
@rjs

Thanks ... it has been a while since I played with a downloaded app ... they really should have a tutorial on how to best use the program ...
...
>> use the WHAT IF tool:
- Click Forms Icon (upper right of screen) or Ctrl 2 (forms view)
- Click on the Open Form Icon
- In the “Type a form name.” area type What-If (with the dash), click on the name of the worksheet - click on Open Form
- You will see the worksheet on the right side of the screen; enter the information right into the form
- To get back to interview mode - click on the Step-by-Step Icon (upper right of screen) or Ctrl 1

I don't know how I would have found out about "What If" without any real documentation.

Your tutorial is *very* helpful, thanks.