helping someone prepare 2020 return and it insists that the signature date cannot be later than 12/31/21

[annettewithmarykay]

helping someone prepare 2020 return and it insists that the signature date cannot be later than 12/31/21

Crazy since it is May of 2022 that his return is being prepared and he has a refund coming.  Why would it make you put in a wrong date for signature???

[macuser_22]

Because 2020 can no longer be e-filed because the IRS does not allow it.  You must print and mail file the return.  There is no signature date for print.

[VolvoGirl]

You have to print and mail prior year returns in Turbo Tax.  Just ignore any error messages about filing.   He has to sign in ink.

[annettewithmarykay]

The IRS allows it with other software.  My friend is a CPA and prepares taxes.   She said to wait for the new tax efiling season to open up and then transmissions can be done.    So IRS allows it but Turbo Tax Software is not set up to connect you to the IRS after the filing season is closed in October.

[annettewithmarykay]

it actually makes you type in a signature date or you get an error message--or maybe it is just my software that is requiring it.

[macuser_22]

Only if you choose to e-file which can no longer be done.

[xmasbaby0]

E-filing for 2020 returns is permanently closed.  You cannot e-file a 2020 return using TurboTax.  The only way to file it is by mail.    Some paid tax preparers might still be able to e-file a 2020 return so if you want to e-file it you can pay for that service somewhere.   Only a 2021 return can be e-filed now---until mid-October, and then e-filing will also close for 2021.

When you mail a tax return, you need to attach any documents showing tax withheld, such as your W-2’s or any 1099’s.  Use a mailing service that will track it, such as UPS or certified mail so you will know the IRS/state received the return.

Federal and state returns must be in separate envelopes and they are mailed to different addresses.  Read the mailing instructions that print with your tax return carefully so you mail them to the right addresses.

[rjs]

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@annettewithmarykay wrote:

The IRS allows it with other software.  My friend is a CPA and prepares taxes.   She said to wait for the new tax efiling season to open up and then transmissions can be done.    So IRS allows it but Turbo Tax Software is not set up to connect you to the IRS after the filing season is closed in October.

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Professional tax software used by CPAs allows e-filing of past-year returns. Do-it-yourself consumer software, such as TurboTax, does not allow it.

You could ask your CPA friend if she would e-file the 2020 tax return for the person you are helping. But she would have to get the return into her professional software. That might require doing the whole return over from scratch, in which case she would probably want to be paid for doing it.

[Mike9241]

"The IRS allows it with other software". True. The IRS allows it. but Turbotax does not allow e-filing of prior year returns. if you want to use Turbotax for 2020 you have to print out the return and have the taxpayer sign and date.