MO-1040 missing Scan Code this year

[BEL27]

@BillM223 

The missing bar code for tax year 2024 is a problem for me and other Missouri tax payers who cannot e-file, so please don't say that it's not a problem because most taxpayers can e-file.  It may not be a problem for you, but it is a problem for me.  Per TurboTax:  "Returns with form MO-TC Miscellaneous Income Tax Credits are not eligible for electronic filing. TurboTax does not support this information to be filed electronically.  The good news is you can still print your Missouri return and file it by mail."   I would far prefer to e-file.  

You say that the 2-D barcode is needed only if you are e-filing, then you say that e-filing converts everything to XML data with no forms (no pdf, including shading, lines, and boxes) which suggests there's no place or need for a 2-D barcode in the electronically transmitted data/files.  I'm sorry, but that's quite contradictory.  The 2-D barcode is only for the paper forms, and its use is optional.

Yes, you are correct that a 2-D barcode is not required for Missouri filing, however TurboTax has included the 2-D barcode on the printed MO-1040 for at least tax years 2011 through 2023.  I have found no information as to why it suddenly is missing this year, nor have been provided a satisfactory explanation in two long discussions with telephone support.  I think everyone asking/commenting here is aware that the 2-D barcode is not a requirement for paper filing, but is helpful in avoiding errors as it bypasses manual data entry of the tax return data by Missouri Department of Revenue employees.  It has also been unclear if Intuit will at some point add the 2-D barcode forms/capability with an update.  I was told that the Missouri forms would likely be updated on or about Feb 27 with the 2-D barcode forms/support during my first customer support phone call.  I would have just gone ahead and mailed my return without it, but I did want to give Intuit a chance to correct the underlying issue or update the forms before I did.  Having e-file and 2-D barcode unavailable each reduce the value of TurboTax for me, leaving me more likely to seek alternatives.  An additional problem new for this year is that TurboTax 2024 does not handle the combination of Federal e-filing and State mail filing as well as it did for tax year 2023.  Now, once e-filing is chosen for the Federal return, no "Print my state return to file by mail now" option is offered.  (Please don't say this is not a problem because most people e-file.  I have found a fairly easy way to work around this and get the forms printed, but it still isn't TurboTax at its best.)

[Parallax314]

I think you're correct in that the 2D barcode is optional, since anyone can choose to submit a paper tax return through the mail using the forms with or without the 2D barcodes. The 2D barcodes increases speed and accuracy with the filing, according to the state, as you've noted.

That being said, the 2D barcode is only useful when mailing a paper return, not when e-filing. It is unnecessary if you are e-filing because no paper or PDF is being sent.

While it is optional, it would be in the interest of accuracy and efficiency to encode the 2D barcode on any printed state returns. Thank you for checking if it can be added back like in previous years!

[jcgbus]

Thank you.  You are correct that MO does not require it to mail file, but is preferred.  That is why TurboTax should figure out why its code doesn't print the 2-D barcode this year (as opposed to all the others).  If you can, please put a ticket into your programmers.

What should be said is not having it doesn't prevent you from Paper Filing.  Thank you for confirming.

[Someone-Else]

+1 to everything that @BEL27 said.  Some of us are required to file our Missouri returns on paper because we need forms not supported by e-filing.  Intuit has removed the 2D barcodes that have appeared for years on printed returns, and those barcodes minimize or eliminate data entry errors at the DOR.  We request that Intuit publicly commit to returning those barcodes, if not this year then next year.  If that doesn't happen I will be joining others in looking for alternatives to TurboTax.

[BrittanyS · Accepted solution]

I have submitted this to be reviewed by developers for an enhancement.  We will provide an update once we have one.  

@BEL27 

[Someone-Else]

We appreciate you reaching out to development on this, @BrittanyS .  I would like to make a distinction, however.  In most application development an enhancement refers to adding a feature that never existed before.  The 2D barcodes correctly printed on Missouri returns for years, and so returning them should not be considered an enhancement.  Instead this would be a bug fix or, if for some reason Intuit made a deliberate decision to remove the barcodes, then it would be a policy reversal.

[BEL27]

@BrittanyS 

In addition to what @Someone-Else mentioned above, I'd like to clarify that this is not simply a matter of the 2-D barcode missing from the correct Form MO-1040, which would have the the P.O. Box 3222 & 3370 addresses on  page 5.  Those addresses are appropriate when the 2-D barcode is being used.  Instead TurboTax is selecting/providing the version of the Form MO-1040 which does not include the 2-D barcode and has the P.O. Box 329 & 500 addresses on Page 5. Those addresses are appropriate only when the 2-D barcode is not being used.   (The P.O. Box number provided in the "File by Mail Instructions for your 2024 Missouri Tax Return" also is consistent with this.)  So either the 2-D barcode version of the Form MO-1040 has not been included for TY 2024 (an omission new to this year, as it has been provided for at least TYs 2011 through 2023), or TurboTax is erroneously selecting the version of the Form MO-1040 that does not include the 2-D barcode.  

[jcgbus]

Thank you, Brittany,

  It is too late for me, as I decided it wasn't going to be fixed 2024, and didn't want further delays, however, perhaps it will solve for others.

[BEL27]

As of yesterday evening, TurboTax updated to 2024.r24.035 with a build date of Mar 27, 2025 at 6:28:57 PM.  While it appeared there was a Missouri forms update, the MO-1040 available for printing remains the version without the 2-D barcode and marked "REV 03/14/25 TTMAC."  So still not solved and over a month since I first contacted Intuit about it.

[BEL27]

Now Turbotax version 2024.r25.036, with build date of Apr 3, 2025 at 6:13:58 PM.  Still no 2-D barcode for the MO-1040.  

@BrittanyS 
@BillM223 

[BEL27]

Still NOT "Solved" with one week left to the filing deadline.

[BEL27]

Application updated, but still labeled as version 2024.r25.036.

STILL NOT RESOLVED!

[AnnetteB6]

Here is an update to the 2D barcode for Missouri state tax returns.  This situation was submitted to the development team for a resolution.  The result was that Missouri does not mandate that the 2D barcode be printed on the tax return and for tax season 2024, the business chose not to support the 2D barcode on the Missouri state tax return.  It is unknown whether that will change in the future.

@BEL27 

@jcgbus 

@Someone-Else 

@Parallax314