TurboTax has incorrect information about Pennsylvania Form PA-8453

[jello77]

When e-filing my 2020 return, TurboTax said this:

Signing your Pennsylvania return on paper

This is a state of Pennsylvania requirement. You are required to sign your return on paper using Form PA-8453. We'll take care of this later, after you transmit your return and the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue accepts it. You'll need to print out this form and keep it with your records.

This statement refers to a form named:  PA-8453 PENNSYLVANIA INDIVIDUAL INCOME TAX DECLARATION FOR ELECTRONIC FILING

The form is not submitted with the tax return. After you e-file your state return, you are supposed to sign the form and keep it for your records for three years.

Based on the statement above, I assumed that after submitting the state return I would get an email from TurboTax explaining how I can print the form.

But I did not receive any information about Form PA-8453 from TurboTax.

I thought the form might be included in the PDF copy that can be downloaded from TurboTax.

So I signed in to TurboTax and downloaded the PDF, but the form is not included.

This is true whether you choose  “returns only”  or  “returns & worksheets.”

Form PA-8453 and instructions are available here: 

https://www.revenue.pa.gov/FormsandPublications/FormsforIndividuals/PIT/Documents/2020/2020_pa-8453....

It turns out that TurboTax is wrong in saying the form is “required.” 

Instructions on the form say it’s only required “if a taxpayer elects not to use the federal self-select PIN.”

In the final step when filing returns, TurboTax asks you to enter a “5-digit signature ID.” 

This number is what the IRS calls a “self-select PIN.” 

Entering this number means that Form PA-8453 is not needed.

Apparently the reason I did not receive any followup from TurboTax about Form PA-8453 is that I entered the 5-digit number and so the form is not needed.

To avoid confusion, TurboTax should revise its information about Form PA-8453.

Saying that Form PA-8453 is “required” is incorrect & misleading.

TurboTax should say the form is required only if the 5-digit number is not used. 

It would also be helpful if TurboTax explained that the “5-digit signature ID” it asks for is what the IRS calls a “self-select PIN.” 

[JohnW152]

According to the instructions after page 1 of Form PA-8453 at 2020 Personal Income Tax Forms,

If a taxpayer elects not to use the federal self-select PIN or a return is filed without a federal return, electronic return originators (EROs) and transmitters must retain completed Forms PA-8453 and supporting documents for three years after the due date of the return or the date the return was filed electronically, whichever is later.

Any taxpayer filing electronically from a home computer must keep the signed Form PA-8453 and supporting documents for three years after the due date of the return or the date the return was filed electronically, which-ever is later.

[Bolding mine.]

[jello77]

John, 

Thanks for your reply. When TurboTax says:

You are required to sign your return on paper using Form PA-8453. We'll take care of this later, after you transmit your return and the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue accepts it.

What does "we'll take care of this later" mean?

This seems to imply that Turbo is going to send the form to me. But I did not receive it.

Will Turbo send it at some point in the future?

Or are PA taxpayers expected to download the form from the state web site?

[DianeW777]

There should be a PA Form 8453 in your tax return documents after filing if you need it.  However, part of what @JohnW152 stated in his post is that the Transmitter (in your case TurboTax is the transmitter) must retain copies of these forms.

[zill_243]

I have the same question as jello77. Before filing, TurboTax also told me that I would need to sign a form PA-8453 and that I would need to print the form and keep it with my records. However, my PDF download did not include a PA-8453. Was TurboTax supposed to provide me with a copy of this form? 

[jillpenrod]

TurboTax content authors, please re-write and re-publish directions.

It should give two scenarios:

1) if a user submits a state return without a federal ID (to be entered at the time of filing), then the user does not have to send a signed form xyz to the PA Department of Revenue. No further action required.

2) if a user submits a state return without a federal ID (to be entered at the time of filing) then the user is REQUIRED to print out form XYZ, sign, and send to PA Department of Revenue. Taxes will be incomplete without the signed form.