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Level 2
posted Jan 28, 2024 2:15:30 PM

Cannot E-file Message

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?

2 23 9603
2 Best answers
Level 2
Jan 29, 2024 7:14:06 AM

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.

 

Level 2
Jan 29, 2024 7:19:18 AM

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.. 

23 Replies
New Member
Jan 28, 2024 4:44:38 PM

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

Expert Alumni
Jan 28, 2024 5:29:35 PM

Returns can't be e-filed if they:

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

 

@ncschumann 

 

Level 2
Jan 28, 2024 5:53:29 PM

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.

Level 2
Jan 29, 2024 5:56:51 AM

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.

Level 2
Jan 29, 2024 6:24:55 AM

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.

Level 2
Jan 29, 2024 7:14:06 AM

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.

 

Level 2
Jan 29, 2024 7:19:18 AM

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.. 

Level 2
Jan 30, 2024 5:42:47 AM

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.

Level 2
Jan 30, 2024 6:53:02 AM

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.

Level 15
Jan 30, 2024 7:00:17 AM


@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.

Level 2
Jan 30, 2024 8:41:13 AM

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.

Level 2
Jan 31, 2024 12:09:08 PM

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.

Level 2
Feb 2, 2024 8:42:49 AM

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.

New Member
Feb 5, 2024 12:22:28 PM

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.

Level 6
Mar 3, 2024 11:23:20 AM

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.

 

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Level 2
Mar 9, 2024 7:48:21 AM

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!

Expert Alumni
Mar 9, 2024 1:52:00 PM

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.

Level 2
Mar 9, 2024 2:51:47 PM

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.

Expert Alumni
Mar 9, 2024 8:03:41 PM

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.

 

Level 1
Apr 7, 2024 10:31:43 AM

Yep. Same issue. In this case, I have an explanation:

Schedule C: Energy efficient commercial building deduction: Form 7206 is required to claim.... Our program doesn't currently support this form. You will need to print and email your return."

 

Only one small problem: I am NOT claiming that deduction so I don't need to file that form.

 

Been using this program for decades. Since I have to print and mail (having already paid for eFiling), no more. Bye TurboTax.

 

New Member
Apr 14, 2024 5:05:18 PM

I filed four returns (for various family members) and one was rejected, so I corrected it and re-filed it. Now I can't e-file the fifth return because it says I've reached my limit.

Level 6
Apr 14, 2024 5:11:12 PM

I suspect if you call TurboTax they will reset the limit for you.

Expert Alumni
Apr 14, 2024 5:31:59 PM

Unfortunately, this limit is set by the IRS and can't be reset.  You can try it one more time, but it's likely that you will need to mail that return in.