5 efile limit

[CatinaT1]

I'm not sure what your question is.

The TurboTax user license allows one user to install copies of TurboTax on up to five computers that the user owns. You can prepare multiple returns, including returns for other people. The license does not allow one copy to be shared among different people.  You are required to log into your TurboTax online account when you install the program for the first time. This locks one particular copy of the program and one license code to one user account. 

[rogerlbeck]

I want to know if this is really TurboTax setting a limit, or is it the IRS.  And if it's the IRS, I want to see the IRS documentation that sets the limit. 

[CatinaT1]

See requirement number 5 on page 29 of this IRS Publication: IRS Pub 1345. The IRS requires that software developers ensure there is no more than 5 electronic files from one software package or from one email address.

5. Ensure that it doesn’t accept transmission for more than five electronic returns originating from one software package or from one e-mail address

[Gordon9]

If the 5 efile limit is tied to the TurboTax Key Code (desktop version) and perhaps also to an email, here is a solution to getting 5 more efiles;  Buy another copy of TurboTax, load it on to another computer, initialize it with the new Key Code, and reference another email if it asks for one. Then, do five more returns on that computer.

I am not a paid preparer, and I know that any paid preparers would not be using the desktop version of TurboTax. The 5 efile limit is ridiculous no matter who mandated it. The Federal government should want everyone to efile their returns to save money and personnel.

[bforum]

The implementation of the regulation in some cases is probably being done incorrectly.  For example, as currently implemented in TT 2024,  if a user e-files an individual return each year for the past 5 years, he/she is banned from ever e-filing again with TT.  It seems more likely that the intent was 5 per account/email address per year.  Further, given that one can simply move to another software package and start again makes little sense.

It would seem infinitely easier for the IRS to catch problems etc with digital data and sophisticated data analysis rather than relying on the expense and time of processing, scanning, and analyzing paper returns.  Most other countries strongly encourage or only allow digital returns because of the obvious efficiencies and reduced cost.

[xmasbaby0]

@bforum 

"if a user e-files an individual return each year for the past 5 years, he/she is banned from ever e-filing again with TT. "

You have completely misunderstood the five e-file limit.  That limit is an IRS limit that means one user cannot e-file more than five federal returns in ONE specific tax year.  The limit does not span multiple years.

[bforum]

Unfortunately, your statement should be true (and exactly my point) but it is not how it is implemeted in TT 2024.  I have only ever filed 5 tax returns online (ever) preceding 2024, all with TT.  TT 2024 rejected my online  filing (on first and subsequent attempts this year) saying that I had used up my 5 time limit.   It is possible that something in my account or installation settings is causing the problem, but I have no interest in investing in more time or expense to file a return.  I tried it on two different computers.   It is in the mail.

[VolvoGirl]

@bforum   That's not right.  Must be another reason.  You can efile 5 returns per year.  Do you help file returns for other people?  Did you let someone else use your computer or license code?    Is it the 5 computer limit or the 5 efile limit?   You can install Turbo Tax on 5 computers you own.  But people are getting errors saying they have used the 5 activations.  Sometimes Turbo Tax keeps asking you to activate the program on the same computer.  Where did you buy Turbo Tax?  There are some places  that are selling used License Codes.  

[bforum]

Agree.  No.  No. No. No to how many ever questions.  The error message is very clear as to the reason (every time).  It may be a coding error or something else related to the installation, which is on the same machine as the past 10 years (I am the only user and person that knows the password).   Further the email address is only used by me and for very little else other than tax returns and has exactly 5 approved online returns (over five years).  I am an overseas filer, so that could be triggering something else in the checks (as an online return must provide various internet details).

The whole point of putting this out there was to make others aware that I ran into this in case others do as well.  I honestly did not expect any replies, but I agree with what responders have said.  Unfortunately, it does not change the result, and I am not going to battle it further this year.