stuck in a loop: "occupation has too many characters"

Forum|Forum|7 years ago
April 13, 2019
4 replies
0 views

Trying to file my Arizona federal and state, but Turbotax gives me this:

Hidden Federal Transfer Wks: Taxpayer's occupation has too many characters.

I can't e-file until this little problem is fixed. Clicking "fix" does nothing. Editing my 1099 or 1040 does nothing. My 1099 is listed as "art", and my 1040 is listed as "teacher" How is this too long?

Customer service e-mailed my issue back to me, and told me to refresh my browser, clear history, and delete cookies. That didn't work either.

My only option is to call the help line. Intuit has already lost me as a customer for next year, so I don't want to spend another $50 to address their programming failure.

Other

GinaG

Level 6

Hi there! I'm sorry you are experiencing difficulties. If you go to the section where your occupation was entered and highlight the box where your occupation is entered and then select delete and/or backspace, you should be able to clear out the error. Occasionally an extra space can sneak in and throw off the character number. Let me know if this doesn't work and we'll try some additional steps.

leighabohn

Level 2

I am having the same issue and there is no place that I in put an occupation name and I cannot get to any part of the form to fix it. INCREDIBLY FRUSTRATING

DoninGA

Level 15

@leighabohn wrote:

I am having the same issue and there is no place that I in put an occupation name and I cannot get to any part of the form to fix it. INCREDIBLY FRUSTRATING

The Occupation entry is in the My Info section of the online tax return. Click on My Info and edit your personal information.

Cassiopeia_

Level 2

I'm stuck in the exact same loop and it's incredibly frustrating. I'm about to just redo everything on some other website.

ThisSoftwareIsTheWorst

Level 2

Same here. The recommended fix does nothing. I can't even use delete/backspace in the field on the form. Editing it back in personal info does not work either.

TurboTax needs to spend a bit more time debugging and a little less time lobbying the government to keep taxes complex.

HeatherPLO

Level 14

If you have attempted the suggested steps and they still are not working for you, we would like to take a closer look at your specific situation, please reach out to us directly using the Help Article here. This ensures you will get to the correct department as quickly as possible.

@ThisSoftwareIsTheWorst

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holson

Level 2

The state return must be deleted. Then return to the Federal Personal Information section and reenter the occupation with as few characters as possible. Continue through the federal and prepare the state return.

This works because the data is stuck on a "hidden" worksheet and will not clear unless you delete the state and start again. The shortened occupation will flow through from the federal return to the state.

Jfisherpfs

Level 2

Before anyone starts this procedure it doesn’t work either. I’m 3hrs in to trying to fix this error and am borderline homicidal at this point.

This appears to be an AZ state filing glitch.

HeatherPLO

Level 14

If you are using the Download/Desktop version, you will need to make sure you have updated your software. To manually update for Windows, please see the Help Article here. For Mac, please see this Help Article.

If this doesn't resolve your matter, so we can take a closer look at your specific situation, please reach out to us directly using the Help Article here. This ensures you will get to the correct department as quickly as possible.

@Jfisherpfs

**Say "Thanks" by clicking the thumb icon in a post. **Mark the post that answers your question by clicking on "Mark as Best Answer"