Tax form rejected for invalid zip code. Zip code is valid but review will not accept it.

[DanielV01]

@ALBAK  I strongly recommend you contact customer support.  In this public forum we can't see your return or inputs, nor are we aware of any widespread issue with what you are experiencing.  Clearly you are having an issue, but it is very difficult to diagnose this from this public forum.  Please try to contact customer service, as they have additional resources to help find out what's happening:  What is the TurboTax phone number?

[Tim Lynn]

I had the same issue with the zip code rejecting. I was double-checking everything and it all seemed to be correct. I had scanned the 1099 forms and uploaded to Turbotax. My wife finally noticed my anxiety and pointed out that Des Moines was in Iowa not in Indiana where the scan had misread the 2 digit state code. Once I changed the state code I was finally able to e-file. Make sure to check those details. There's a IRS list of approved zip codes @Standard Postal Service State Abbreviations and ZIP Codes.

[rrseverson]

I have the same problem. Calling support led to an email directing me to this post. I'm using

TransAmerica Retirement Solutions

6400 C Street SW

Cedar Rapids IN 52499

All of that information is valid and cross validated from the TrasAmerica website, USPS, Opengov.us

I tried deleting the 1099-R and starting over twice. Once on my own, and once at the request of customer service after clearing cache and cookies. No luck, it's an app problem, not a user/browser/OS problem 

[mesquitebean]

@ rrseverson 

I see what's causing the error.  The address you posted above says Cedar Rapids, IN (Indiana).   Cedar Rapids is in IOWA (IA).    I looked up that address with the USPS zip code tool, and it confirms that address and zip code 52499 are in IOWA (IA).  You need to correct the state abbreviation.   That's what is causing the zip code mismatch.

https://tools.usps.com/zip-code-lookup.htm

[bevory]

I also had this problem.  I'm pretty sure Turbotax is rejecting zip codes that start with zero.  I substituted my home zip code (which starts with a 4) for the zip code provided by the financial institution and it was accepted.  And since I am in Michigan and the company is in New Jersey it is obviously an incorrect zip code for the company.  They seem to only be doing format checking (incorrectly).

[bevory]

I also had the same problem.  Turbo tax is incorrectly identifying any zip code that starts with 0 as invalid.  When I substituted my home zip code (that starts with a 4) for the company zip code (thats starts with a 0) turbotax accepted it.  And it is not the correct zip code for the company.  They need to fix this but I can't figure out how to get in touch with anyone to report it.  If anyone knows how to tell them about this error in their code, please do.

[mesquitebean]

@bevory 

TurboTax can at times say there is a "zip code" error when it's actually something else wrong with the address causing it to mismatch, such as an error with the street, city, state abbreviation, etc.   All of those can produce a "zip code" error.

Many users mistakenly have entered the wrong state abbreviation, which is easy to do for similar ones, such as  AK, AL, AR, AZ or MA, ME, MI, MO,  or ID, IN, IA, IL, etc.  That can produce a "zip code error".

Also, TurboTax sometimes doesn't like punctuation.   If there is punctuation, try omitting it as in this example:

1234 N Saint Marys Ave  instead of 1234 N. St. Mary's Ave.

And most importantly, be sure to check for the official USPS styling of the address using this tool:

https://tools.usps.com/zip-code-lookup.htm

It will not only show the proper zip code, but will also show how the specific address should be officially styled.

Finally, in some metro areas with several smaller suburbs, the post office for a suburb might actually have the name of an adjacent suburb.   But again, using that USPS tool above to confirm the official address should sort that out.

[bevory]

Interesting idea but, then, why is my home zip code (in Michigan) accepted as the correct zip code on a 1099 for a company in New Jersey?

[mesquitebean]

---

@bevory wrote:

Interesting idea but, then, why is my home zip code (in Michigan) accepted as the correct zip code on a 1099 for a company in New Jersey?

---

I don't know.  A number of quirky things can happen in TurboTax with addresses.   It's often hard to comment on anything anecdotally.  

You previously wrote:  "Turbo tax is incorrectly identifying any zip code that starts with 0 as invalid."

 I don't think it's possible to make a broad statement without more instances.  Granted, I don't read every post in the forum, but I see quite a few.  If TurboTax had a problem with any zip code starting with 0, that would be an incredible number of folks--i.e., TurboTax users in CT, ME, MA, VT, NJ, NH, RI, etc.-   Zip code errors do show up occasionally in the user forum, but scattered around the country.  But people only post here if they have a problem.   I haven't seen any big cluster from any particular states.  Granted, I don't see all forum posts, but the forum is searchable.   TurboTax Support might know if they are getting an unusual number of zip-code calls for those states named above with a zip code starting with 0.

I'm a fellow user.  I don't work for TurboTax.  If you wish to discuss it with the folks at TurboTax Support to see how they explain it, and to report your experience, here's how to reach them:

Hours are 5AM-9PM Pacific (8AM-12 Midnight Eastern), 7 days/week

FAQ: What is the TurboTax phone number?
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/using-turbotax/help/what-is-the-turbotax-phone-number/00/25632

[christyjime]

same problem here, no way around it.  You'd think that if turbo tax "knows" it's the wrong zip code that it must have a zip code it's comparing to.  couldn't you just tell us what you have for the zip???

[MarilynG1]

TurboTax doesn't have a zip code to compare it to when it gives this error.  As @mesquitebean says above, it may not be the zip code at all, but something else about the address.  If you imported your 1099-R, definitely delete it and re-enter it manually.

If you're using TurboTax Online, sometimes data gets 'stuck' and you need to close the program, clear your Cache and Cookies and re-enter your ornery piece of data.  Remember, we can't see your return in this forum.

@christyjime 

[snugglesxwqz0417]

Re: Tax form rejected for invalid zip code. Zip code is valid but review will not accept it.

[LindaS5247]

If you receive this error:

• Double-check you entered the correct two-letter state code
• Make sure you've entered the ZIP code in either 5-digit or 9-digit format (for example 12345 or 12345-6789)

Look up the correct ZIP code for the street address in question

If these don't help, contact us.

[tri_lamb_2000]

@Tim Lynn - Same exact situation for me. Thank you for taking the time to post this. TurboTax pulled in the wrong state abbreviation for me, so the zip code, while correctly entered, was not valid because the state is incorrect.