Federal regulations limit the number of returns you may e-file with the TurboTax CD/Download desktop software to 5. You can use the software to prepare additional returns but you cannot e-file them. (Each TurboTax Online account only lets you prepare and file one federal tax return.)
Intuit has several professional software options if you need to prepare and e-file more than 5 federal tax returns: ProSeries, Lacerte, and Intuit Tax Online.
For more information, please see the FAQs below.
https://ttlc.intuit.com/replies/3302087
I have been usingTurbo Tax for years and just found outyou can only file 5 e-File returns?
You can do MORE than 5 returns, but you can only E-FILE 5.
You can create as many tax returns as you want, but unfortunately, they have to be printed and mailed in.
FIVE E-FILES is the maximum number of returns you can file electronically per purchased version of Turbotax.
If you have returns that do not have any ITEMIZED DEDUCTIONS, go to TURBOTAX.COM - it is free for folks who have a W-2 (BUT you cannot process 1099s processed on this website without paying $40.00) .
In addition to being able to process W-2s on the online version, it will also allow you to enter house taxes and mortgage interest, but if you have like JOB EXPENSES, or STOCKS and BONDS to process for an individual, save THAT return for the software (with 5 e-files) that you purchased.
I usually have 11 - 14 returns every year. Sometimes I have to go over 5 E-FILES, so what I do is print the return for the folks who owe money, have the owner sign it and MAIL it in "US POSTAL snail mail". The others that have refunds of course, want their refund YESTERDAY, so I use those to E-FILE.
Another methodology I have achieved with impatient clients that want their refunds right away, I purchase another copy of Turbotax, which provides me with 5 more E-FILES. Sam's Club and Costco have cheapest prices. In February, they offer $10.00 off of their retail price for DELUXE of $49.99. So I am able to purchase 2 or 3 discs to accommodate up to 15 of my clients. When you load up these in your computer, label them as #1 , #2, and #3 so you will know which clients or family members belong to which version you processed them on. I think I have thought of everything possible to make your over 5 return question, easy to understand.
Also tell your clients, if they choose to sign and mail their returns in, you won't charge them the $40 processing fee (HA HA) in their processing price.
"Another methodology I have achieved with impatient clients that want their refunds right away, I purchase another copy of Turbotax, which provides me with 5 more E-FILES. "
"....clients?" TurboTax is not licensed for paid tax preparers. If you are preparing tax returns using TurboTax and charging a fee, you are in violation of the terms of service.
With the CD version of TurboTax, you can prepare and file as many tax returns as you like. There is no limit. However, the IRS says you can only e-file five of them. ANything after the 5th return has you be printed, signed and mailed to the IRS.
@debbiedragon How do you install more than 1 CD? It can not be done on the same computer (there are always questions on that) and even if you do you are still limited to 5 efiles per IP address or something. It knows how many you have filed not just by the program.
I AGREE. YOU CAN ONLY FILE 5 RETURNS ON ONE COMP
UTER.
I HAVE 3 COMPUTERS SO I CAN INSTALL MY CD ON EACH COMPUTER AND GET A TOTAL OF 15 RETURNS .
This would be in violation of the software terms of use. For paid tax preparers, it also violates IRS rules and regulations requiring the preparer to sign the return. TurboTax is not for professional use and does not contain many require elements for a properly filed professional return.
EVERY YEAR, I HAVE BETWEEN 17 AND 23 TAX RETURNS TO PROCESS.
I HAVE TO BUY 5 SEPARATE LICENSES AND WOULD LIKE TO BUY (1) LICENSE THAT ALLOWS ME TO PROCESS MORE THAN 5 RETURNS A YEAR.
THANK YOU,
DEBBIE
If you are preparing income tax returns for clients (for compensation), you cannot use TurboTax.
Intuit offers several tax preparation software packages designed for tax professionals.
@debbiedragon wrote:
EVERY YEAR, I HAVE BETWEEN 17 AND 23 TAX RETURNS TO PROCESS.
I HAVE TO BUY 5 SEPARATE LICENSES AND WOULD LIKE TO BUY (1) LICENSE THAT ALLOWS ME TO PROCESS MORE THAN 5 RETURNS A YEAR.
The IRS (not TurboTax) has a 5 e-file requirement reguardless of how many licenses you buy.
The IRS considers more than 5 is a professional and requires professional software which is unlimited and uses a different IRS e-file system.
Intuit offers two products that are unlimited.
https://proconnect.intuit.com/proseries/
https://proconnect.intuit.com/tax-online/
https://proconnect.intuit.com/proseries/pricing-main/
The TurboTax personal editions software can only be used to electronically file 5 tax returns. This number is set by IRS rules for personal tax preparation software. Once 5 federal tax returns has been e-filed any further tax returns will have to printed and mailed. There is no limit on the number of tax returns that can be completed using the TurboTax personal edition software.
For e-filing more than 5 tax returns you would have to use the TurboTax professional edition software.
Go to this TurboTax website for information - https://proconnect.intuit.com/
@debbiedragon Are you efiling them all? Even if you buy more programs it should only let you efile 5. You can use one program and print and mail the rest after the first 5 Efiles.
Read the IRS rules and restrictions for self-prepared e-file providers.
https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p1345.pdf
Page 31
5. Ensure that it does not transmit or accept for transmission more than five electronic returns originating from one software package or from one e-mail address;
This requirement is spelled out in detail in the ERO providers contract with the IRS.
And to prepare more than five e-files, you will need to sign up with the IRS as an ERO - an Electronic Returns Originator. How to become an Authorized E-file Provider…..
e-filing those many returns may require you to register as an e-file provider. if required failure to do so would be a violation of federal law.
@robbin TurboTax does not limit users of the do-it -yourself tax software to five federal e-files. That limit is an
IRS
limit.
From IRS PUB 1345 —- limit of 5 e-files
https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p1345.pdf
This appears on page 36
Additional Requirements for Participants in Online Filing
In addition to the above, participants in Online Filing must adhere to the following:
If you have the credentials to prepare tax returns as a paid tax preparer, purchase professional tax software and e-file more than five federal e-files with the software that allows it.
@robbin wrote:
Really, violation of what law. turbo tax law? IRS law?
It is not a Law. It is a requirement from the IRS.
IRS Publication - https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p1345.pdf#page=40
. Ensure that its software, if available for use on an Internet, can’t be used to file more than
five electronic returns from one e-mail address
Do you need to have 3 computers to install your 3 software? When registering each of your software, do you need to have three different names associated with each one of your 3 software? Did some research online regarding this issue and found out that you cannot install the same version of TurboTax on the same computer. how did you do it?
@LINGDOLING
No, you can't install it on the same computer. It will recognize that you already have it installed and ask you to uninstall the current version to reinstall it.
With the CD/Download you can prepare 5 returns on the same computer. Each time you begin a new return, you will enter that new person's information. You will not register it 3 times on the same computer, you register once when you install it, then begin to prepare the returns.
Can I install TurboTax on more than one computer?
How many returns can I e-file in the TurboTax CD/Download software?
How can I file taxes for 5 other clients under my account.
@Jnettecol What CLIENTS? Using TurboTax to prepare returns for paying clients is a violation of the terms of service. You cannot get around the five federal e-file limit which is an IRS limit. If you have the credentials to prepare returns for paying clients you need to be using the professional tax software.
https://proconnect.intuit.com/?s_cid=TT.com_MoreProds-Footer_ProTaxSoftware