Can't e-file due to zero income. Can I still send my 1040 and 104 electronically?

[philgordon340]

I want to file zero income for 2021 but you can't e-file that. The only option is to mail 1040 and 104 by regular mail. Is there any way to send those two forms to the IRS electronically? I am currently out of the country and will be back no sooner than mid-summer. Wondering if the IRS has an e-mail address for that or something.

[JulieS · Accepted solution]

Yes, you can e-file your return.

Since many people are in the same situation, the IRS has provided the following guidance:

"In addition to all the other information required to be entered on Form 1040, a zero AGI filer must enter the following:

• $1 as taxable interest on line 2b;
• $1 as total income on line 9; and
• $1 as AGI on line 11" [IRS}

To do that in TurboTax:

1. Select Federal on the left side menu.
2. Select Wages and Income toward the upper left.
3. Scroll down, or expand the list and find Interest and Dividends.
4. Expand that section and find Interest on 1099-INT.
5. Click on Start to the right.
6. Answer the first question Yes.
7. Click Continue.
8. Click on Change how I enter my form in the lower right corner.
9. Select Type it in myself.
10. Fill in the first box with your banks name or "Interest".
11. Put 1 in box 1
12. Click Continue.
13. Select None of these apply, and click Continue.
14. Select Federal Review in the upper right corner.
15. Keep going until you submit your e-file.

[philgordon340]

Thank you, Julie! Couple of questions.

1. Wouldn't that be lying? I only have a checking account. Have had no interest whatsoever.

2. I still want to file a zero income. Plus, TurboTax says I already filed (and printed out the 1040 and 104 forms).

[ColeenD3]

No, it is not lying per se, due to the fact that this information is offered from the IRS themselves as a work-around. There is no way to e-file a return with zero income. You can use the above method or mail the return.

The program assumes that if you printed the return, you mailed it. You may return to the program, make the changes, and e-file.