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Returning Member
posted Oct 12, 2023 3:43:58 PM

I already exceeded the maximum allowed of 5 E-File , can i purchase another turbo tax desktop to e-file a 6th return ?

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1 Best answer
Level 15
Oct 12, 2023 3:49:54 PM

No.   The five e-file limit is an IRS limit, not a TurboTax limit.  The IRS will not accept a sixth e-file from you.   Purchasing another CD/download will not help you.  Your sixth return will have to be filed by mail.

 

 

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.

16 Replies
Level 15
Oct 12, 2023 3:49:54 PM

No.   The five e-file limit is an IRS limit, not a TurboTax limit.  The IRS will not accept a sixth e-file from you.   Purchasing another CD/download will not help you.  Your sixth return will have to be filed by mail.

 

 

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.

Level 15
Oct 13, 2023 3:59:41 AM

....and whenever a family is in a situation where you are filing for multiple members (perhaps parents + a couple working teens or college students).......always e-file your own (parent's) tax return(s ) first. 

 

 That avoids all kinds of complications, aaaaaaaaand makes sure your own gets e-filed and not forced to the long...slow processing done if forced to filed by mail.

Level 15
Oct 13, 2023 5:38:22 AM

@uservalc0214 AND, it is more likely that the teenager's tax return is just a few sheets of paper!

Level 15
Oct 13, 2023 6:01:50 AM

for your family members with simple returns you should be using the IRS Free File service.

@uservalc0214 

Level 15
Oct 13, 2023 6:40:27 AM

@fanfare not necessarily.  that is the crazy thing about TT's pricing policy for desktop. 

 

The first return is the purchase price of the software - the remaining tax return are free which is the same as Free File.  Further, Free File only provides the state tax return for 20 states.

 

In this situation, the inconvience of using TT is that the tax return has to be mailed.  the inconvenience of Free File (assuming there is a State Tax return outside the 20 provided ), is figuring out how to file the State Tax return.  

Level 15
Oct 13, 2023 7:12:40 AM

I assume the goal is to e-File more than 5 returns.

If free file doesn't support a required state return, that won't work.

 

replace the word "should" with "could"

Level 15
Oct 13, 2023 7:20:03 AM

OLT.com and FreeTaxUSA support State tax returns, without the word "some".

 

@NCperson @uservalc0214 

Returning Member
Oct 14, 2023 4:22:32 PM

I found a solution to my problem , you can Purchase another copy of Turbo Tax but make sure you install in another computer and you can e file another 5 returns.

 

Level 15
Oct 14, 2023 4:40:37 PM

@uservalc0214 yes and that is an expensive way to go.  Paper filing is always available on the first copy - and there is no limit to the number of returns you can complete for friends and family. 

Level 15
Oct 14, 2023 5:24:07 PM

If your second computer is on the same home network as the first, I don't think your trick is going to work.

 

@uservalc0214 

Returning Member
Oct 14, 2023 5:27:20 PM

@fanfare  I e-filed 2 more  returns from my 2nd computer from my home network and it worked . I believe its the user or email that is important. Make sure you activate the 2nd one in a different email. I read somewhere here in Turbo Tax that IRS does not allow you to efile from the same emaul

New Member
Aug 6, 2024 11:44:24 AM

Purchased and attempting from my home computer.  However, had already entered all the data using the original software so I tried to open the file on my home computer and efile it since it was from a new download with new user and ip address - but still getting the same message.  How do I move the info already entered from one computer to the other to efile without having to reenter everything?

 

Level 15
Aug 6, 2024 11:50:40 AM

@mkr12   What message do you get?  If you can’t open the .tax2023 try this…..

 

After you get the program installed or reinstalled the first thing to do before you open your tax return is to update the program and install any state programs you had. Then open your file. So you first might need to start a fake return to be able to download the state program (go to File-New Tax Return).

 

Then go to FILE -Open and find your return.

 

See this article on how to move your tax return to another computer…….

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/tax-data-file/help/how-do-i-move-my-tax-data-file-to-another-computer/00/26128

 

After you get the state program downloaded you can close the fake return and open the real .tax file.  Just go up to File-Open and try to open your return.   It will either show up in the box to Continue or you can browse to where it is.  

 

New Member
Aug 6, 2024 12:11:59 PM

I have new software license, new download on a different computer at a different street address and internet.  I tried to efile the return - clicked on the file and it auto opened TT then tried to efile and got same error.

 

Level 15
Aug 6, 2024 2:29:04 PM

@mkr12    What error?

 

If you are getting the 5-efile limit notice...then you've hit the limit and need to print and mail-file your tax return.

 

(Buying a new copy/license doesn't get you more, and we aren't in the habit of telling folks how to get around the IRS e-filing rules....sorry)

 

Or is it something else?

Level 15
Aug 6, 2024 3:15:09 PM


@mkr12 wrote:

I have new software license, new download on a different computer at a different street address and internet.  I tried to efile the return - clicked on the file and it auto opened TT then tried to efile and got same error.

 


Since you installed it on another computer at a different location and network did you also buy it and register it with a different account?  If you used your account to download it, install or register it then it is still tied to you and probably keeps track of 5 efiles.