How is the 5 efile limit counted? is it 5 per turbotax account used during the efile?

[Bonnie07]

I had this issue in this tax season. I filed only 3 returns but when I filed the 3rd one, It didn't go through because I reached the limit of 5. I called turbotax and the specialist said it would be ridiculous if the software counts the rejected returns as 1 attempt ( One of the return I had to file twice because it got rejected due to his long and complicated name), so she advised me to I efiled again and still failed. Then, when I called for another specialist, she said rejection is counted as an attempt. so I filed 3 times + 2 rejections=5 limits. 

I think it's ridiculous to count the rejection as an attempt. I paid for 5 returns, then it should be 5 different returns, not by how many time I transmit 1 return.

[Mike9241]

it is the iRS imposing the 5 return limit not Turbotax.

some have suggested that a second e-mail address will work.  Don't know if prior attempts will block even a second e-mail address. 

[Angelface777]

It isn't connected to email addresses its connected to IP addresses. Which is something every device that connects to the internet has due to government regulations. I use H&B and the business program. I put h&b on 2 computers and efile 10 returns. I also did this again for 2023 taxes no issues. My online intuit account has nothing to do with the limit on efile. Only the license code is is limited to 5 uses .  Been using turbotax for 9 years.  I help people put the program on 2 computers all the time and efile all their returns. So if you are having trouble e-filing after installing on a 2nd computer you may have other issues.

[noftsierb]

100% false.    Not tied to IP.  Its tied to the Turbo Tax ID they force you to use before you can e-file.  I know this as I have a block of IPs and 5 different computers I tried.  This was only an issue recently as prior to 2023 TT filing you didn't have to use a TT account to file.   The TT account was used to install and was enforced on 5 PCs to install.   Now they force you to use TT account so they can keep a copy of your taxes on theirs servers and up-charge you for storage.  Pretty soon you won;'t be able to do  local install at all it will be $100 a pop to start online and 50$ for every additional form like Sched A, B,C and D like they currently do.   Oh and another 50$ to state file which is currently included.   Probably add another 50$ to state file (they did that one in NY and that state made them go back to free e-filing which is about the only positive thing NY has ever done for me.

[VolvoGirl]

@noftsierb   Just to clear up.....Turbo Tax or Intuit does not keep a copy of your return on their server if you use the Desktop CD/Download program.   Where do you see about paying for storage?  They are making you sign into a Turbo Tax account only to keep track of the 5 installs and 5 efiles.  

[xmasbaby0]

@noftsierb It seems that you are pretty confused about how the fees are structured.   You pay one fee to get the CD/download.  Every version of the CD/download includes all forms and all schedules.  You are not charged additional fees for certain schedules when you use the CD/download--which is also referred to as desktop software.  The CD/download can be Basic, Deluxe, Premier or Home and Business.   If you purchase a version of the CD/download and decide you WANT to upgrade to a higher version just for more guidance you can do that----but you do not have to upgrade to get to any specific forms or schedules.   And...when you use desktop software, your tax files are not stored in an online account.  They are stored on your own hard drive or on any backup device you use like a flash drive.  They are NOT stored on a TT server.  

It is only when you use online TurboTax that you pay a higher fee for upgrading to a higher version of the software---the online choices include the Free Edition, Deluxe or Premium.   If you start in Free Edition and enter information not supported by that version, you are upgraded to a paid version.   Depending on what that information is, you might have to upgrade to Deluxe or to Premium.    With online TurboTax, your tax files are stored in an online account.  You have the opportunity to save those files as pdf's and download them to your own computer, or you can just leave them in the online account.  Online saves them for seven years; after seven years they are gone.

With the CD/download you get up to five federal e-files; you can prepare and file more than five federal returns (for other family members, etc.) if those extra returns are sent in by mail.

With the online software, you get ONE return per fee.   If you have to prepare more than one return for another family member, etc. that family member needs their own account and user ID, and if they are using a paid version, they have to pay.

[xmasbaby0]

@noftsierb Oh----and with the CD/download---Basic does not include software for state returns.  If you choose desktop Basic and need to prepare a state return, there is an extra fee to add state software.   Retailers sell Deluxe with or without state software, so you have to pay attention to what you are buying.  Since some users live in states without a state income tax, they do not care about having state software so they often just buy the cheaper Deluxe that does not include a state program.   TurboTax and retailers also sell Deluxe that includes the software for one state program of your choosing.   That software is included and you do not pay extra to PREPARE a state return. You can prepare as many returns for that specific state as needed and e-file those state returns when you e-file your federal returns.   But with the CD/download, there is a fee to e-file the state. The exception is the state of New York--for NY you do not pay a state e-file fee.  For any other state, you pay to e-file the state return ---before March1 that fee is $20; after March 1 the state e-file fee goes up to $25.   If you do not want to pay the state e-file fee, you can choose to print and file the state return instead and just pay for a stamp.

If you use the CD/download which includes a state program, but you have to file in a second (or more) states because you moved, worked in two different states, lived in one state, worked in another state, etc.   then there is an extra fee to purchase and download an additional state program for a DIFFERENT state.

With online TurboTax, except for the Free Edition, there is always a separate, additional fee to use state software and prepare a state return.  You pay separate fees for federal and state when you use online.    The TT website shows you that there is an additional fee to prepare a state return when you use online.   That fee is to prepare the state return.  There is no additional state "e-file" fee with online.

[noftsierb]

seem you are confused and don't know how to read correctly.

I said TT will start forcing everyone to online where they CHARGE FOR EVERY form.

I'm done replying to the TT shills, I trust gas station sushi more than the paid TT posters on here.

[xmasbaby0]

-Use this IRS site for other ways to file for free.  There are 8  free software versions available from the IRS Free File site

https://apps.irs.gov/app/freeFile/

Or—if you live in certain states you may be eligible to use the new IRS Direct File

( AZ, CA, FL, MA, NH, NV, NY, SD, TN, TX, WA, WY )

https://directfile.irs.gov/

[DoninGA]

@noftsierb 

IRS Publication 1345 Authorized IRS e-file Providers of Individual Income Tax Returns - https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p1345.pdf

Page 31 - 5. Ensure that it doesn’t accept transmission for more than five electronic returns originating
from one software package or from one e-mail address;

Page 34 - 4. Ensure that no more than five tax returns are filed electronically by one software package
or from one e-mail address;

Page 36 - 1. Ensure that its software package can’t be used to transmit more than five electronic returns.
2. Ensure that its software, if available for use on the Internet, can’t be used to file more than
five electronic returns from one e-mail address or phone number

Page 38 - 1. Ensure that no more than five electronic returns are filed from one software package or one
e-mail address.

[VolvoGirl]

@noftsierb   First of all we are volunteers,  we are NOT paid to post here. We are just trying to be helpful.   And the Desktop program is not going away anytime soon as far as we know.  Yes the Online features and pricing are different than the Desktop CD/Download program.    You don't have to use the Online version just because you have to make an Account to install the Desktop program.  

[SandiC1009]

I am having the same problem.  I have efiled 4 returns and am being stopped from efiling 5th. 

[liquidennis]

This is what is being referred to:

"Ensure that it doesn’t accept transmission for more than five electronic returns originating
from one software package or from one e-mail address"

It mentions nothing about all five returns having to be from the same email address.  It says five from one user OR one email address.  In what world does the same person have five different tax returns to e-file?  I'm trying to file for myself and my partner with Home & Business where on the back it clearly states, "Includes: 5 Federal e-files with IRS confirmation."  There is no mention of any sort of limitation to one user or email.  THey must enjoy getting sued after the whole "FREE" fiasco - twice.  People got ripped off for $75-100 and got back a whopping $18.  It's yet another case of false advertising.  It boils down to how much time do you want to waste for two pretzels and a stick of gum?

[DoninGA]

Using the desktop editions it is 5 free federal e-filed per account.  You have one account for the software you purchased.  After the 5 federal e-files have been used any further tax return have to be printed and mailed.

[Margauxmilchen]

You can just use a different software package for the next five or use a different email address when you buy it. I have a client with a huge family too and that's what they do every single year