efile rejected -- can't figure out how to fix the error

I have used TurboTax for years, efiling since the year we were able to do that and I haven't had a single problem until now.

My husband died in 2020 and when I imported TTax from last year I left him as the primary tax payer. I checked the box that he had died and everything went well until I efiled and received an error IND-031-04 and my efiling was rejected. This error can mean that the AGI does not match last year ( IT DOES ) or there is a problem identifying the primary taxpayer. Turbotax knew that my husband could not be the "signer", it had to be me. So my pin from last year was used along with my date of birth. I'm pretty sure that this is the error.

Am I right? How do I get around this? If someone could give me an easy work-around I would be so grateful.

Thanks for any help.

377

Expert Alumni

Apr 4, 2021 2:28:13 PM

I would suggest listing yourself first and then your husband second. You can only be the authorized signer this year and not your husband. Try listing yourself as the primary.

Level 15

Apr 4, 2021 2:29:18 PM

TurboTax usually does this when there is a decedent.

Try another tax software provider.

OR
The simplest solution is to print sign and mail your return at the Post Office.

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efile rejected -- can't figure out how to fix the error