601ERRV:5, CustHdr_17 - ?:? - Invalid SMS Number. Must be between 10 and 10 digits. - how do i fix this ? i have a US phone number but filing with a German address

[Critter]

Error message 601ERRV:5, CustHdr_17 - ?:? - Invalid SMS Number. Contains invalid digits

If you get the error message 601ERRV:5 CustHdr_17 - ? : ? - Invalid SMS Number. Contains invalid digits when trying to e-file your return in TurboTax Online, it means the phone number is invalid or not a U.S. domestic phone number.

You must use a valid, U.S. domestic 10-digit phone number for your SMS text message.

To change your number, sign in to TurboTax, open your return, and select My Info from the left menu . If your number is also added to your account, select Intuit Account from left menu and edit the number there as well.

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/bugs-and-error-messages/help/why-am-i-getting-601errv-5-custhdr-17...

[LoriLLS]

I don't know why I am getting this error.  The number I am using in my personal information on my tax returns is a US number, my brother's land line.  The phone number on my Intuit account was my UK mobile.  I do not have a US mobile and do not want to use my brother's land line, so I deleted the number completely from my account.  I am STILL getting the error message when I attempt to file.  Frustrating. 

[CatinaT1]

Ensure there are no spaces in the phone number field.  If there is one space, it will cause an error.

[LoriLLS]

Thanks.  No spaces and it still isn't submitting the return.

[mesquitebean]

If you don't have a USA phone number, I'd first try leaving the Intuit Account phone number blank.   If that doesn't work, there are a couple of anecdotal reports in another thread where some users temporarily used a trusted friend or relative's US phone number in the Intuit Account settings.   It doesn't have to be actually verified, just has to be a valid US number.  One said he also indicated there not to get text messages.   I presume they removed the "borrowed" phone number from the Intuit Account after their efile had been accepted.  If you do that, you SHOULD remove the borrowed phone number after filing, because it could be used to get back into your account.

A couple have said that after making changes to the phone in the Intuit Account settings they still had trouble until they logged out of TurboTax completely.   Then close the browser and reopen it.  Then log back in before trying to efile again.  That must have reset something for them.   So if you change the phone number, I'd do that.  Even if you delete the Intuit Account phone number, I'd log out and close the browser before trying again.

Several foreign users shared their solutions and tips here in this thread if you scroll through it:

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/taxes/discussion/re-my-federal-e-file-is-not-going-through-i-m-giv...

[LoriLLS]

Thanks for this.  I made a couple of changes, but I'm not sure which actually fixed it! I had a different phone number in my Intuit account details than in My Info (both US numbers of friends.)  I made them the same number and didn't verify them.  I also exited the browser and logged back into TurboTax.  I was able to file my returns.  Woohoo!   

[odedonn]

Thanks @mesquitebean !!

1. I went into my Intuit Account, deleted my phone there.. didn't work

2. Entered a friend's number in the US, got the code from her, confirmed the number, filed... and voila 🙂 

Really random annoying bug TurboTax.. you should fix this. 

[soshbfly]

I had the same issue (filing from the UK). I changed my Intuit profile phone number (which was my UK mobile) to my mother's US number which is what I included on the tax form. Had to close browser and restart but then it FINALLY worked. 

[ruthieness]

Same issue - changed the phone number to a relative's US cell, no verification, ONLY in my Intuit account, went back without closing browser/logging out/etc and it filed no problem.

[CatinaT1]

The online link is your best option to track your refund.  I have attached a link with more answers from the IRS as to why your refund may be taking longer to process.

Federal refund questions

There is a delay in processing the returns at the IRS due to Covid-19 and social distancing policies in effect.  

IRS operations

[MrJensenBlake]

Would the error still appear if the number I've provided is currently suspended? I'm overseas and I'm trying to file my taxes but this error message keeps popping up.

[BrentNH]

I managed to "fix" this issue. There are two places your phone number is listed. The first, being obvious, is on your tax form. The second place is in your actual intuit account. Those two numbers must match. They did not in my case. I had my foreign German number in my intuit account (it's been this way for years so no clue why all of a sudden it's an issue) and my US number on my tax return. Once I changed it and made them match the US number I was immediately able to submit my return.

If you need to change your number in your intuit account (on the left side of the menu towards to the bottom) it will need to verify. I used a Google voice phone number and then just chose the option of "Receive verification code by voice call" as apposed to SMS. The 'phone' rang, I answered, and entered the number they gave me. Not really sure why this has become an issue but changing it to match my IRS forms fixed this issue, maybe it will for you?

[williambruner]

I have found a fix similar to one that someone else has posted. I am US Military Stationed in South Korea, so I used an App called Talkatone, it gives you a US Number to use for calls and texts via wifi. Had that number match my intuit account and was able to successfully file. 

[haruag25]

I don't have a US number. I am stationed in South Korea. Why the hell would I have a US number? You are preventing me from filing my taxes of which I already paid.