topic Re: Cannot E-file Message in Deductions & credits

Cannot E-file Message

ncschumann — Tue, 10 Feb 2026 09:17:50 GMT

Don't know whether anybody has had this problem, and perhaps it will clear up tomorrow. But when I go to e-file my return, I get a message saying that I must mail in my return, because I have forms that cannot be e-filed. This may result from an update due on January 29th, but I'm puzzled: I e-filed the exact same forms in 2022, and I haven't filed a return by mail since 2008. Has anybody else encountered this problem?

Re: Cannot E-file Message

questionsquestions22 — Mon, 29 Jan 2024 00:44:38 GMT

I just got that same message. It doesn't specify what form(s) it is talking about. Will have to check on this tomorrow.

Re: Cannot E-file Message

MonikaK1 — Mon, 29 Jan 2024 01:29:35 GMT

Returns can't be e-filed if they:

Contain overrides.
Have no taxable income.
Contain a W-2 where box 1 is blank or the box 16 amount is greater than the box 1 amount.
Contain IRS forms or schedules not on the accepted Forms and Schedules list.
Contain non-final forms.
Are for prior-year or amended returns.

There are other situations as well that can prevent e-filing. Please see this TurboTax help article for more information.

@ncschumann

Re: Cannot E-file Message

ncschumann — Mon, 29 Jan 2024 01:53:29 GMT

If the IRS has not yet approved the forms, then the program should say that, not send people off to mail forms. Thanks for your response.

Re: Cannot E-file Message

ncschumann — Mon, 29 Jan 2024 13:56:51 GMT

I have now checked all the situations specified by the TurboTax expert. None apply to me, unless they have not updated their program this morning. I am extremely frustrated by this situation and ask TurboTax to investigate immediately.

Re: Cannot E-file Message

ncschumann — Mon, 29 Jan 2024 14:24:55 GMT

Could it be that the TurboTax automatic default to the 1099SR form (not accepted for efiling by the IRS) prevents further processing or that the Estimated Tax Vouchers you generated this year, but not marked ("do not file") as in past years are preventing efiling? These are the only forms in my return that the IRS says they do not accept. If this is not fixed, I want a refund.

Re: Cannot E-file Message

dayoderman — Mon, 29 Jan 2024 15:14:06 GMT

There are a lot of people, myself inculded, trying to file for home and business. From what I have found it seems to be an issue with scedule C. So far all anyone has been told is to wait until tomorrow. Supposedly they are working on it.

Re: Cannot E-file Message

Jwilbe — Mon, 29 Jan 2024 15:19:18 GMT

I have the same problem and have checked for updates 3 or 4 times a day! It seems to be an issue with the Schedule C forms..

Re: Cannot E-file Message

ncschumann — Tue, 30 Jan 2024 13:42:47 GMT

Well, here we are on Tuesday morning, and no updates to the software. The problem remains, and I am very disappointed in TurboTax and frustrated with this problem of not being able to e-file. Perhaps I should try H&R Block software. I think TurboTax has really let us down.

Re: Cannot E-file Message

ncschumann — Tue, 30 Jan 2024 14:53:02 GMT

TurboTax should start paying attention to this: I have now read reviews on Amazon citing the exact same problem: inability to e-file using Home and Business. The reviews are highly unfavorable.

Re: Cannot E-file Message

DoninGA — Tue, 30 Jan 2024 15:00:17 GMT

@ncschumann wrote:

TurboTax should start paying attention to this: I have now read reviews on Amazon citing the exact same problem: inability to e-file using Home and Business. The reviews are highly unfavorable.

Ohhh...They are paying attention. Unfortunately they are not providing any guidance on this user forum.

This is a known problem and the TurboTax software development team is working on a solution. There should be a software update soon, but a definite date has not been announced.

Re: Cannot E-file Message

ncschumann — Tue, 30 Jan 2024 16:41:13 GMT

Thanks for the information. Just spent about an hour with a rep going over my forms. The only form that really came into question was a credit for buying an electric vehicle (which didn't apply to me and didn't come in my list to file). Getting rid of that didn't help the problem, it was escalated, and the supervisor didn't have a solution either. They told me to come back for updates February 1. That's all I know.

Re: Cannot E-file Message

ncschumann — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 20:09:08 GMT

So, just received the update from Turbotax and efiled. Very pleased, though sorry that it took this long. But they did come through in the end. As a backup, I tried my luck with H&R Block, and I must say, Turbotax is easier to navigate. Hope this problem resolves for everybody else.

Re: Cannot E-file Message

Alisapatton — Fri, 02 Feb 2024 16:42:49 GMT

When you say they came through in the end. What did they do? Were able to efile. I still can't as of Today 2/2.

Re: Cannot E-file Message

beached56 — Mon, 05 Feb 2024 20:22:28 GMT

I got this message last week, and I assumed it was because we needed to include a form that we had not used before. So I mailed in my federal return. NOW it is not giving me the message, which is a real pain because I would much rather e-file. And because I did not e-file my federal, it doesn't want me to e-file my state. I'm not happy.

Re: Cannot E-file Message

Romper — Sat, 09 Mar 2024 16:03:20 GMT

March 3, 2024

I encountered a similar problem today however I found the following solution for my case:

If I enter stock sales by Section Totals then go to Forms View, Capital Assets Sales. At the bottom of the screen, it says I must mail a copy of my 1099 (Not my return). If I enter the sales One By One, Capital Asset Sales says No, I do not have to mail my return. I chose to use the One By One option thereby avoiding having to mail anything.

The reason for the IRS wanting a copy when using Section Totals comes from the sale of stock where the cost basis wasn't reported to the IRS. (Box B or E). When using One By One, you enter the details the IRS is looking for.

TurboTax Premier For 2023 Taxes, CD Download Desktop For Windows.

Re: Cannot E-file Message

KJFK — Sat, 09 Mar 2024 15:48:21 GMT

I also received this message "You've reached your e-file limit. The IRS only allows 5 returns to be e-filed with personal tax software." This is wrong and not true, so there's obviously some kind of error causing this message! My program did an update this morning, which I thought this was the problem, but now I've read that this has been ongoing. I hope they get this bug fixed soon!

Re: Cannot E-file Message

MonikaK1 — Sat, 09 Mar 2024 21:52:00 GMT

Please see this TurboTax help article. Is it possible that any other returns were filed using your e-mail address, including using different software?

The IRS prohibits using the same email address to e-file more than five federal returns with an online personal tax return preparation product.

If this is not the case, please provide more information about what you read about this situation.

Re: Cannot E-file Message

KJFK — Sat, 09 Mar 2024 22:51:47 GMT

My apologies, I passed it on to a family member and I found that he used it for his teenagers, which then blocked me out! He reported that his son’s was rejected and therefore I should’ve been able to use up the final 5th e-file. So, I’ll have to send in snail mail, which stinks! They should just offer a fee for one more.

Re: Cannot E-file Message

MonikaK1 — Sun, 10 Mar 2024 04:03:41 GMT

Thank you for the update.

If you're not a licensed tax preparer, you can't e-file more than five tax returns. That's the limit set by the IRS. To e-file an unlimited number of returns, you would need a professional e-filing number and to purchase professional software. Authorized volunteer organizations such as VITA and AARP Tax-Aide can also e-file returns.

See this IRS webpage to find authorized e-filers in your area.