Turbotax will not allow me to submit my State taxes because my PEL is not 9 digits long. My state gives 7 digit PEL numbers. What do I do?

[KrisD15]

To clarify, 

What do you mean by PEL number?

[bstormsocial]

Professional educators license. Illinois issues 7 digit license numbers, TurboTax requires 9 digits.

[bstormsocial]

Oops, typo in my last reply. I meant professional educators license.

[xmasbaby0]

Why are you trying to enter a professional educator license?   Where are you trying to enter that?

If you are trying to e-file a tax return, you have to enter a state driver's license number or a state identification card number.   You are not required to enter ID to e-file a federal return, but some states are picky  (and IL is really picky)    about your ID in order to e-file the state return.   But...in any event.....your PEL is not a suitable ID for e-filing purposes.  If you do not have a state DL or state ID, then print and mail the state return.

[bstormsocial]

In order to be reimbursed for education expenses, I had to enter my PEL. I cannot submit my taxes due to an "error" in my PEL number. It was not used as an ID, it was used to get a deduction for expenses from the state of Illinois. Turbo tax does not let you e-file if you have errors in your return. When you enter the PEL it says the number will be 7-9 digits. When TurboTax does their final review, it says it must be 9 digits and it cannot be filed until I fix the number.

[xmasbaby0]

@bstormsocial So this is something you are encountering on the IL forms?   This is truly the first time I have heard of a user having this issue on an IL form.  Usually the problem is with the state ID or DL.   You can try calling in to support.  But honestly, if it were me, I would just give it up and file IL by mail instead of going through all the aggravation.

To call TurboTax customer support

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1899263-what-is-the-turbotax-phone-number

Customer support is available from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. Pacific time daily

Thoughts...     @Mike9241      ????

[Mike9241]

Turbotax says it can be up to 9 digits but is typically 7. Turbotax did not like 7 digits. contact support

[cfightma]

Good morning,

Did you get this figured out? I am having the same problem. I even tried deleting my Illinois tax file and restarting and it still won't accept my PEL number. Please let me know if you got this issue resolved. 

Thank you!

[bstormsocial]

I have not. My assumption is that there is an issue in the code TurboTax wrote.

[CASSMONTY]

Add 2 zero's in front of your license and you should be able to transmit them. 

[bstormsocial]

That worked!

[cfightma]

Have you tried to file without fixing the “error”? 

[bstormsocial]

Yes, it takes me right back to the review page and tells me I cannot submit, without fixing my PEL number.

[LISA527]

I had the same problem, my Illinois PEL is 6 numbers- got it right from ISBE and have to put it on everything you submit-but Turbo tax won't let you unless it's 9 numbers. I had to put 3 0's in to make it 9 numbers. I did not have to do this last year. It even had my IEN in the drop down from last year.