MO-1040 missing Scan Code this year

[jcgbus]

In previous years, printed MO-1040 had a Scan Code in the top right for easy entry in their systems for mail filing. It is not there on my Printed MO-1040 this year. Is that a bug? or do they not use it anymore?

[MaryK4]

Yes, there should be a barcode on the printed tax return if you mail it in.  See FAQs - Fillable 2-D Barcoded Form Information.

[jcgbus]

Thank you,
  I know they expect it, which is why I'm asking.  When I printed my MO-1040, it is missing.  I am wondering if TurboTax, MO division can weigh in?

[jcgbus]

Also, I wanted to thank you for getting back quickly.  I was wondering if you are able to get this question to the programmers, given it isn't printing.  

Thanks! 🙂

[jcgbus · Accepted solution]

OK,
  I also called Turbo Tax Call Center.  They had no record of issues for printing with 2d-barcodes, and thus no ETA for a fix. 
  Additionally, I tried reloading everything on a totally new Machine (but same files... I'm not going to mess with reentry) so that eliminates caches, etc.  But that also didn't work.

  Finally, I resolved to simply Print, and put a note in it.  Apparently, MO has different addresses for 2d-barcodes, so it likely goes faster if you have it, but it doesn't seem to be required to file.  https://dor.mo.gov/contact/individual-income-tax-information.html
  FYI, my version is Windows 10 Desktop App, Full Business, etc.

[Someone-Else]

I'm having the same issue with TurboTax 2024 for Windows.  I've used TurboTax for the last 7 years, and up until now my Missouri return has always printed with a 2D barcode at the top of form MO-1040 to minimize data entry errors at the Department of Revenue.  This year, however, nothing I do can get the barcode to print.  Obviously I'm not alone.  If the 2D barcode is supposed to be there as @MaryK4 stated, this would indicate a bug in the software.  Especially considering that the program keeps getting more expensive, I believe that it's reasonable for Intuit's customers to expect it to work properly.  What do we have to do to get this bug rectified?

[jcgbus]

Greetings,
  Yes, as a former software developer, I would definitely agree that it is a bug.  However, as nice as the help people were, I was unable to figure out how to persuade them that it may be time for a bug-ticket.  
  Here is what I decided.  The main thing is that since I was due a larger refund this year, I wanted it processed more quickly.   I would have done E-File State, but TT doesn't support one of the forms. Normally, the 2d barcode will make processing go much more quickly for MO DOR, and they obviously encourage E-File first, 2d barcode second.  However, it is not absolutely required, based on the fact they have several addresses to mail in your return to (https://dor.mo.gov/contact/individual-income-tax-information.html).  I figured trying to get this to be recognized as a bug, and actually fixed would take many weeks... and it would be much better to get the return in earlier, so I mailed it in anyway (note there is a different address, which TT gives correctly, but you can check here.
  Should TurboTax have done this correctly, as they have in other years? sure, especially for the money spent? sure.  But you can still file, try to get some ticket going, or wait for another State Update, hoping it is fixed.  I opted to just file.
  Good luck!

[Someone-Else]

Hey, @jcgbus .  It's nice to hear from another IT pro.  I completely understand your decision about going ahead and filing without the barcodes.  I'm not in a huge hurry, but we only have a bit more than a month until the filing deadline.  My question is, is Intuit going to try to sweep this under the rug and try to pretend that this now confirmed bug doesn't really exist, or are they going to do the right thing, listen to their Missouri customers, and fix the problem?  Your description of your call to TurboTax support is not encouraging.

I again kindly direct my question to @MaryK4 , who confirmed that the barcodes are supposed to print as in past years, or anyone else with Intuit -  what do we have to get to get support to take the issue seriously and see that a bug report is filed?

[BEL27]

I am having the same issue with 2024 Deluxe on Mac (desktop version).  I cannot get Turbotax to generate/print the MO-1040 form that includes the 2-D barcode (which would include mailing addresses of P.O. Box 3222 and P.O. Box 3370 on the last page).  Instead I get the no 2-D barcode form with the mailing addresses of P.O. Box 329 and P.O. Box 500 on the last page.  With the addresses as evidence, it appears that Turbotax is either (incorrectly) selecting the non-barcode form, or is lacking the form with the 2-D barcode.  This isn't an issue of the correct MO-1040 form simply lacking the barcode.  

I've contacted Turbotax support by phone twice regarding this. The first time I was told that the final Missouri forms were not yet available and were scheduled to be updated on Feb 27.  The second time I called, I was told that the updates were apparently delayed, and there wasn't anything I could do but wait for Missouri to provide the form (implying that the Missouri Department of Revenue hadn't provided Turbotax the MO-1040 form for the 2-D barcode), or go ahead and file without it.  (Although this was supposed to be a follow up of the same case number, I was given a new case number for the second call, which I thought was a bit strange.)  Since then, the Missouri forms have been updated (dated 03/11/25 as opposed to the previous 02/07/25).  However this has made no difference.  I still am not able to get Turbotax to produce the MO-1040 form with the 2-D barcode.  

I am very frustrated by this.  I have printouts of my Turbotax generated MO-1040s all the way back to TY2011, and they all have the 2-D barcode on them regardless of how early I filed and printed them. Most of those years were e-filed, and I've only recently needed to paper file as e-filing is oddly not supported for my current tax situation.  My understanding is that without the 2-D barcode the tax data cannot be scanned, but has to be manually data entered by Department of Revenue employees, which increases the potential for errors.  This is why I was hoping for the 2-D barcode.  I'm not sure if the problem here is Turbotax, the Missouri Department of Revenue, or their failure to communicate with each other.  This is one of several frustrations I've had with Turbotax over the past 3-4 years.  Prior to that my experience with Turbotax was excellent.

[Parallax314]

Anyone know if it’s a good idea to take the forms that TurboTax generates to print and mail, but instead use that to fill in the fillable forms Missouri provides that generate the 2D barcodes?

I gave it a try and all that I can tell that changes was the vendor number.

[BEL27]

That certainly can be done, and I've considered it.  I'm not sure if it's a good idea or not.  We've paid Intuit for the state product and should be getting the 2-D barcode version of the MO-1040 from them.  Transferring the information to Missouri's fillable form is work that we shouldn't have to do after paying for Turbotax State.  With the different vendor code, there's also no evidence to the Department of Revenue that Turbotax was used for calculation and completion.  I'd like the DOR to know that Intuit is failing to provide the 2-D barcode MO-1040.  I'm also thinking it might make holding Intuit liable for any calculation or other errors more difficult.  

I'm also not sure why this discussion is listed as "solved."  Nothing has been solved here.  

[BrittanyS]

What version of TurboTax are you using?  If using TurboTax Desktop, have you updated your desktop software?  I have ran a test and the barcodes are showing on the printed version of the return.  

@BEL27 

[Parallax314]

I'm using the Desktop version (Home & Business) and have the latest releases. The 2D barcode should be in the top-right corner of the MO-1040 first page.

I did have a tax situation that required me to mail in the tax return (could not e-File), and was looking for the 2D barcode, instead of manual entry for the state, for accuracy.

[BEL27]

As stated above, I'm using 2024 Deluxe on Mac (desktop version).  I have just updated my software and Missouri forms this morning.  The application shows as version 2024.r23.034 with a Build Date of Mar 20, 2025 at 6:35:04 AM.  The Missouri forms show "REV 3/14/25 TTMAC."   The 2-D barcode (example below) should be on the upper right hand corner of the first page of the MO-1040, but is not.   Also the "Mail to:" addresses appearing near the bottom of MO-1040 page 5 should be P.O. Box 3370 (for Balance Due) and P.O. Box 3222 (for Refund or No Amount Due) when the 2-D barcode is used (on the appropriate MO-1040 for the 2-D barcode), but instead are printed as P.O. Box 329 and P.O. Box 500, respectively, which are only appropriate when there is no 2-D barcode.  

I believe you are likely seeing the 1-D barcodes (copied below) on each page of the Missouri forms (including the bottom of MO-1040 pages 1 and 4).  These do not present the tax return data in a scannable form as the 2-D barcode does.  I think they only identify the tax form/tax preparation vendor.  

@BrittanyS 

Example of 2-D Barcode (this is horizontally shorter than what normally prints on the MO-1040):

1-D barcode that appears on all pages of MO-1040:

[BillM223]

You need the 2-D barcode ONLY if you are not e-filing. This is because TurboTax does not send either a paper return nor a PDF of the return to the IRS.

Instead, TurboTax converts the Missouri tax return to an XML format, which is data and tag names to identify the data. There are no forms (like with shading, lines, and boxes) in the XML.

You are not required to have the 2-D bar code on the MO-1040, even if you paper-file. The state just suggests that it's a good idea.

The 2-D bar code is used on the MO1040 to carry all the data for your return. Missouri says (page 2), 

"The software encodes all your tax information into a 2-D barcode, which allows your return to be processed with fewer errors compared to traditional paper returns."

So, since most taxpayers here e-file, the missing bar code is not a problem. After I post this, I will go see if I can determine if a return that is to be paper-filed has the bar code.

Edit [4/4/2025 1:16PST | added "not" to the first sentence]