Why sign in to the Community?

  • Submit a question
  • Check your notifications
Sign in to the Community or Sign in to TurboTax and start working on your taxes
Level 2
posted Jan 31, 2023 2:14:34 PM

California Estates and Trusts software not updating for Form 541-A, Trust Accum of Charitable amounts. Received an email from turbo tax stating the form is available, but the software is not updating. Close the program and reopened it with no update. ?

0 25 1469
24 Replies
Intuit Alumni
Feb 1, 2023 11:22:36 AM

Have you tried to manually update your software? If not, please try following the steps in the below TurboTax Help Article.

Manually Update TurboTax Business Software

Level 2
Feb 3, 2023 12:45:58 PM

Thank you for your response.

Just today, when opening up my Turbo Tax for Business, an update was downloaded but it still did not contain the updated California state form 541-A that I am in need of.  Maybe the 2022 updates for the 541-A are still in work by turbo tax.

 

The one question I have is, if I run the manual update, will this update my california state form 541-A I am in need of?

 

Thank you in advance.

Intuit Alumni
Feb 6, 2023 1:19:12 PM

Based on the forms availability list, the form in question is unsupported for e-file and slated to be available for print in a few days - 2/9/23.

New Member
Feb 6, 2023 4:36:05 PM

I'm having the same problem.

New Member
Feb 6, 2023 4:45:53 PM

Actually, I'm not having the same problem as the initial post.  What is happening in my case is that this tax form 541-A keeps appearing on my return even though I do not have any Trust Accumulation of Charitable Amounts.  I delete the form, then run the error check, and the program says I have no errors.  But, when I come back to the return after working on a different return, the 541-A form is back and generates an error saying its "not approved for release at this time".

New Member
Feb 6, 2023 4:46:49 PM

...further comment, I've applied the manual "superpatch" as you suggested and it did not solve the issue.

Level 2
Feb 6, 2023 8:18:18 PM

Upon further review, my issue is also associated with form 541-A not being available, yet my return has no charitable contributions to declare.  Based on tubo tax business response, it states the form 541-A will be available 2/10/23 yet an email from turbo-tax states that the form is ready at this time.  I did a check for software updates and the response back is my software is up to date, yet I still get the message 541-A is not available.  I plan to wait until after 2/10/23 to see if an update to this issue is addressed.

Level 2
Feb 6, 2023 8:28:06 PM

The follow up question I have is, why is turbo tax business identifying form 541-A as a required form when I have no charitable contributions identified.

Appreciate a clarification

Level 3
Feb 7, 2023 3:25:31 PM

It would be nice if we could get an explanation for the email notification from TurboTax that the 541-A form is available. I got the email early this morning and TT business is up to date. The manual update does not appear to accomplish anything substantiative.

 

Would appreciate if a TurboTax rep take a look and and let us know that the form is either available or that the system sent out the email in error.

Level 2
Feb 7, 2023 3:49:10 PM

I'm having the exact same problem as you.  I'm inclined to print out the finished forms I need for my CA return from the saved PDF file and mail the return in.  This didn't happen last year.  This trust has never made a charitable contribution.  Only deductions are for property tax and tax preparation software.  

Level 3
Feb 7, 2023 6:00:16 PM

For me waiting a few more days is not a deal killer. I am waiting for an updated form to be posted to the personal TurboTax program--that form is estimated to post a day before the 541-A.

 

Just wondering why TurboTax sent the message that the 541-a is available.

 

Hopefully it should show up the end of this week.

Level 2
Feb 7, 2023 7:21:35 PM

Right, I wouldn't mind waiting if they weren't telling me it was already available for download.  I don't think I need the form anyway which compounds the issue for me.   

Level 3
Feb 7, 2023 9:03:47 PM

Turbotax Employees need to understand upon "All done let's review" and Review my return for California. 

1.  Program states the "TurboTax is still working on making your return available to file"

2. It states "We'll send you an email when the forms you need are ready for you."  It also states "Available to file by mail 02/17/2023"  (One week later than it was about a week ago.)

3.  You enter your e-mail address and you receive two e-mails;

     The first states "Thanks for signing up to receive notifications about your form! "

     The Second states "

The wait is over! The tax forms we needed to finish up your taxes are ready.
 Form 541-A, Trust Accuml of Charitable Amounts

Open TurboTax on your computer, install the updates when prompted, and your forms will be automatically included. 

 

The problem is you update (or can't update because you already did) and nothing has changed.  Turbotax is erroneously sending out the second e-mail - It is not correct.

=-=-=-=-=-=-

Also EbonyA can you explain how to use the forms availability list to look up 541-A?

Change to Windows, Select Return Type and go to select return type and all 4 choices are not appropriate for 541-A

 

Expert Alumni
Feb 8, 2023 2:08:02 PM

It would be helpful to have a TurboTax ".tax2022" file that is experiencing this issue.

 

You can send us a “diagnostic” file that has your “numbers” but not your personal information.  If you would like to do this, here are the instructions: 

 

At the top menu in the black line at the top of the page go to Online. 

  1. From the menu, select Send Tax File to Agent. 
  2. You will see a message explaining what the diagnostic copy is.  Click Send and then you will get a Token number. 
  3. Reply to this thread with your Token number. This will allow us to open a copy of your return without seeing any personal information.  

We will then be able to see exactly what you are seeing and we can determine what exactly is going on in your return and provide you with a resolution.

 

@tskraus 

@fredschneider91011 

@noclue1040 

@Bozodclown 

@ExcessTurbo

Level 3
Feb 8, 2023 3:43:39 PM

Token 1065995

Expert Alumni
Feb 8, 2023 5:46:22 PM

Your trust is allowed a personal exemption based on the type of trust you are filing.  In 2022, this is required to be reported on Form CA 541-A.  This is the correct way to report your information for your trust, but because the form will not be ready for printing, you must wait until (as of today) 02/17/2023.  

 

See State forms availability table for TurboTax Business to watch for updates on the form's availability.

 

@ExcessTurbo 

Level 3
Feb 8, 2023 6:11:54 PM

@AliciaP1  Thank you for your response. Any insight as to why TurboTax is sending out "the form is ready" emails when in fact it is not? That really defeats the purpose of the notifications. I'd like to be notified when the form is actually ready and not have to keep opening up TT business and see if the form is available.

 

I signed up for a second notification this morning and this afternoon I received the erroneous congratulations notification.

Level 2
Feb 8, 2023 6:31:25 PM

Thanks for your input.  So, is it the FTB that doesn't have this form ready on 2/8/23 or is this a TurboTax problem?  

Level 2
Feb 9, 2023 6:01:41 AM

Dear AliciaP1,

Per your request, I have sent you my turbo tax file for your diagnostic support

Level 2
Feb 9, 2023 6:08:59 AM

Forgot to add the token number 1066372

New Member
Feb 16, 2023 2:26:51 PM

My software states that I'm current with Updates but when I go to print it states that I need California Form 541A

to print my return???

Level 3
Feb 17, 2023 12:03:46 PM

Good news (and bad news)!! 

 

CA 541-a became available this morning.

 

Was able to finally complete the CA tax return for a Trust. e filed both federal and state 1041/541 this AM--feds accepted the 1041, CA rejected the 541 return.  TurboTax in the let's look at your return has this "CAFTB records indicate that you are not authorized to submit a tax return of a type and for a tax year specified in the Submission Manifest."  I had to download sign and upload the IRS 8452-FE form to turbotax before I efiled the 1041 form. TurboTax just had me download  and sign the CA 8452-FID form to keep for my records. I wonder if the state is expecting the 8453-FID form to be efiled with the 541?  I have printed out the return and will mail it in.

 

Very strange. Not sure if was really worth the extra $50 for the state portion of TurboTax Business.

Level 2
Feb 18, 2023 6:36:49 AM

great feedback no clue 1040.

 

I too had the same problem with trying to e-file my California state taxes.  Re-entered TT and checked off the box that I was going to use mailing the for the filing.  Printed out the form 8453-FID and signed it, but did not include it in my mailing.  Do not know what is going to happen once received by the state.

 

Also what was confusing was the TT filing instructions stated that I was required to attach the schedule K-1 (541) for each beneficiary, yet the paper copy print out contained them in the mailing package.  Oh well, let's see what happens.

Level 2
Feb 18, 2023 1:14:08 PM

noclue1040, I had same experience.  Was hoping for an answer here.  Looks like the transmission to CA for From 541 is set for "testing".

 

Looks like I will be mailing again.