Georgia series 100 tax credit

[kdresser50]

I did my 2018 federal and state taxes in TurboTax Deluxe, printed out the completed federal forms, and mailed to the IRS on April 15, 2019 (owed taxes). On April 29, 2019, I printed out my completed state forms, which had a series 100 tax credit on form 500 schedule 2, and mailed to the Ga IRS (refund due). The Ga IRS recently rejected my state return because state returns with a series 100 tax credit must be filed electronically. So I opened my 2018 TurboTax Deluxe program and tried to file my state return  electronically.  Turbo Tax would not let me until I e-filed my federal returns. Is there a workaround? Is it possible to e-file my state return when I mailed my federal return and it has already been processed by the IRS? Please advise. 

[mesquitebean]

The Federal and state returns can be efiled at the same time, or the Federal return can be efiled first.   But it is not allowed to efile a state return by itself unless a Federal return has been efiled previously and was accepted.

The IRS and states put that rule into approx.  4 years ago to help combat the huge spike in fraudulent state returns that were being efiled by themselves.

You wrote:  "The Ga IRS recently rejected my (mailed) state return because state returns with a series 100 tax credit must be filed electronically."

I'm going to ask someone familiar with Georgia state returns to look at this thread to see if they can advise you on this situation, since it is not possible for you to efile in this circumstance, which is beyond your control.

   @DoninGA   Are you able to please advise user in this situation of not being able to efile the GA return (Federal was mailed), and the GA return has series 100 tax credit which cannot be in a return filed by mail.  Thanks!

[DoninGA]

This is similar to a situation where the state of New York requires that their state tax returns must be e-filed.  But in NY there is a caveat in the requirement where if the software being used will not allow the state return to be e-filed, the state will accept a mailed tax return.

Unfortunately I have not seen anything in the Georgia code or instructions where a series 100 GA tax credit is allowed to be mailed if the software being used will not allow e-filing.  The only thing that can be done is to call the GA Department of Revenue and see if they can recommend a solution - https://dor.georgia.gov/contact-us

[bbrewster]

While it is possible that the Georgia return would not efile for the reason you indicate, the more likely reason is a glitch in TurboTax for the State of Georgia.  As you note, returns with Series 100 credits must be efiled in Georgia.  As you go through the prompts, TurboTax requires that you attach the Series 100 credits to the return (or you get an error message).  However, TurboTax will not allow the filing of a return with an attachment.  I used 2018 Home & Business, and had two extended calls with support.  At the conclusion of the first call, support (incorrectly) decided that the problem was that I had downloaded H&B for Mac, and should have used the cloud version.  But a colleague had the same issue with that version.  I did talk to the Georgia Department of Revenue, who intimated that I should use a different software provider for 2019.  According to the GDOR, the necessary correction here is for TurboTax to eliminate the requirement of attaching the Series 100 credit because those credits already were submitted (in my case with a K-1), and either not required or (if required) could be submitted later.

[xmasbaby0]

@bbrewster Thanks for offering some thoughts, but the simple fact is that unless you use TurboTax to e-file a federal return successfully, you cannot e-file a state return.  It just cannot be done.  If you print and mail the federal, you have to print and file the state return.   That is how the software works.

[robertb345]

Seems that there are still issues with Turbo tax around GA filing.  Turbo Tax is requiring I efile GA, but it will let me print and mail the Federal version (which I need to send an explanation about my 1099-INT split for the estate). TT Say that there is a credit on the GA return and must be filed electroically, but there is zero tax and it is a final/initial estate return. It will not even print the GA return for filing.  I called Turbo Tax and was told, they can not provide tax assistance on the Business version (BY LAW they say). So I called the GA dept of revenue.  They indicated after the zero taxes due, the credit being negative not an issue.  They even recommended filing it outside of TT to mail in since the other pages in TT are empty.

I cannot tell if this is a bug or I'm missing some key input.  There is no tax on the 1041 or GA 501 due.  I can not image how this credit would even be used.

[AmyC]

@robertb345 You can print the pages and mail them in. I am sorry you are having this trouble. If you go into FORMS mode, you can view page by page and click on the print button at the bottom of the form, on the left.

[robertb345]

AmyC,

Thanks for the response. When I print it as you say, it still shows on Pages 4,5,6 or the state form in big letters on the sides, " CREDITS MUST BE FILED ELECTRONICALLY" on the left and right sides of the form.  Yet the pages have no values in the fields for a credit.  Only the Taxpayer FEIN Is populated. ALso those pages say create a separate schedule for each credit code, but no where in Turbo Tax did it let me say (or ask) about using a credit.  This is a final return for an estate and the credit is caused by the low income amount and the state giving a $2700 exemption (line 6 of the form).  This really seems like a TT Bug to me, especially trying to make me efile on state but not on fed which creates problems.  Any other thoughts on how to address this?  The forms if I send in will have this saying must be efiled on it.

Thanks

Robert

[bbrewster]

Amy C - Resurfacing my comment from last year.

Returns with Series 100 credits MUST, by rule, be e-filed in Georgia.  (I had no issue filing the federal return or a second state electronically, so this is specific to Georgia and these tax credits.)

As you go through the prompts, TurboTax requires that you attach the Series 100 credits to the return (or you get an error message).  However, TurboTax will not allow the filing of a return with an attachment.

According to my calls with senior management at the Georgia Department of Revenue, the necessary correction is for TurboTax to eliminate the requirement of attaching the Series 100 credit because those credits already were submitted (in my case with a K-1) and/or not required (or if required because of a review could be submitted later).

[DecaturSam]

@bbrewster Have you heard anything more about this issue? I was able to use TT to e-file GA with a series 100 credit for tax year 2018, but then I was not able to last year (tax year 2019) and am being told I can't do it this year either. Last year DOR accepted my paper return and just sent me a letter telling me that next time I need to e-file. But not sure they'll take it this year...this is super annoying... 

[mesquitebean]

@ DoninGA   Are you able to please assist with this Georgia issue when you are in the forum?   Do you know anything further on the issue this year? Thanks.

[DoninGA]

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@DecaturSam wrote:

@bbrewster Have you heard anything more about this issue? I was able to use TT to e-file GA with a series 100 credit for tax year 2018, but then I was not able to last year (tax year 2019) and am being told I can't do it this year either. Last year DOR accepted my paper return and just sent me a letter telling me that next time I need to e-file. But not sure they'll take it this year...this is super annoying... 

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You can attach a PDF of the certificate for the Series 100 credit and e-file the Georgia state return with a PDF attachment.

In the Georgia State program, on Other Situations click on the start/edit button

On PDF Attachments, click on Start/Revisit

The following screens will ask you to upload a PDF of your certificate so it can be included as an attachment to the state tax return.

[DecaturSam]

Thanks, but unfortunately I’m having a slightly different issue. I did upload the pdf (in the same way you suggest) but TurboTax is not letting me efile. It says the return cannot be transmitted and I have to paper file, but does not say why. I’ve spoken with two different TT support reps and am told that I can’t efile with a pdf attachment. This makes no sense, because the screen where you upload the pdf tells you that you have to attach the pdf in order to efile. But I don’t know what else would be preventing the return from efiling. My federal and two other states went through fine. 

[DoninGA]

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@DecaturSam wrote:

Thanks, but unfortunately I’m having a slightly different issue. I did upload the pdf (in the same way you suggest) but TurboTax is not letting me efile. It says the return cannot be transmitted and I have to paper file, but does not say why. I’ve spoken with two different TT support reps and am told that I can’t efile with a pdf attachment. This makes no sense, because the screen where you upload the pdf tells you that you have to attach the pdf in order to efile. But I don’t know what else would be preventing the return from efiling. My federal and two other states went through fine. 

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Then you need to contact a TurboTax technical representative since what you are experiencing should not be happening.  Unless there is a problem in the program not currently known to the programmers.

Those support reps you spoke to probably have no idea about the PDF attachment capabilities for the Georgia tax return.

[DecaturSam]

Thanks! Do you know how to contact a TurboTax technical representative? I am having a hard time figuring out how to get contact info for technical support from them...