TurboTax desktop 2025 Premier is stuck on "One Final Check"

[user17753152289]

When I click "Transmit Returns Now", it goes to a screen titled "We need to make one more check", then (2 times) to screen titled "Check This Entry." Both entries are unusual but correct. I click "Continue" and it returns to screen titled "Transmit Your Returns." When I click "Transmit Returns Now", it goes through the whole cycle again. How do I break out of this loop?

[MelindaS1]

1. So if you've made it to the "transmit returns now" screen, you should be able to file i.e. you haven't been disqualified from e-filing due to tax return entries, so your first step is to try manually updating your software to make sure all needed updates are patched in:

1. Close TurboTax.
2. Select this link to download the update.
3. Open the file w_perrelsuperpatch... and install the manual update.

2. If the update doesn't resolve the e-filing loop, then you can go through these desktop software FAQ troubleshooting steps:

To make sure TurboTax runs smoothly:

• Make sure your computer meets the minimum system requirements.
• Make sure you have administrator rights on your computer and TurboTax is running as administrator:
  • Right-click the TurboTax icon or setup icon and select Properties. In the Compatibility tab, select the Run this program as administrator box and select OK.
• In the Control Panel under Internet Options, add https://*.intuit.com to Trusted Sites. Set security level to Medium.
• Turn off antivirus software and Windows Defender.
• Add TurboTax Desktop to your allowed apps in Windows Defender.
• Clean up and defragment your hard drive.
• Run Windows Update to keep your computer up-to-date.
• Update your computer's hardware drivers.
• Update your security software for firewall, virus, and spyware protection.
• Make sure you're the only user on your computer running TurboTax. If you're not, switch users and sign out of TurboTax from the other account. If you can't do that, shut down your computer and try again. (Error: 70001)

See also: How do I solve my e-filing issue?

Note: if you have been disqualified from e-file, the program should let you know, but if you could share more here about what the "check this entry" screens are referring to, that may help with the troubleshooting.

[user17753152289]

Thank you for responding. I am using Windows 11, logged in as Administrator, with all other programs and anti-malware programs off. I installed the special update. But the same problem happens.

The particular problem is with a 1099-G, from Massachusetts for DFML (Paid Medical Leave Benefits - I was out of work a few weeks after a knee replacement). The Box 1 Taxable amount = zero (blank). Box 4 Fed. tax withheld= $304. Box 11 State Tax withheld= $152. (I had not realized that the DFML benefits were not subject to tax, and I had checked the boxes to have tax withheld; thus, the strange combination of nothing taxable, but taxes were taken out. Turbotax is hating this, and not accepting my confirmation that the entries are all correct.) What else can I try?

[MelindaS1 · Accepted solution]

I'm sorry the software did not explain this outright but it seems you are disqualified outright from filing electronically. The official guidance in this case is to file on paper. 

The IRS e-file system is programmed to reject returns where withholding tax amounts (lines 25a, 25b, 25c, and 25d) on the 1040 are an unbalanced ratio to the matching income buckets from wages (line 1a) or unemployment (line 😎 etc. In your case, the ratio is 0 income to 304 tax withheld, and the e-file rules default to blocking that as funny business. The state of MA was supposed to reject your withholding entries as they say they do for nontaxable income, so this is a truly annoying situation to be in.

Navigating instructions to switch to paper file in TurboTax Desktop:

• With your return open in TurboTax, select the File tab, then select Continue.
• On the next screen, E-file Your Federal Return for FREE, select File by mail and Continue.
• Continue through the screens until you get to the Print Tax Return for Mailing screen. Select Continue.

FYI, another option is to not enter this 1099-G into your federal tax return entries, as your box 1 taxable amount is zero, then you could e-file your federal return and paper file your state once your federal return is accepted. If the IRS does not process your refund automatically from their 1099-G transcripts, then you would use Form 843 to request the refund (MA does not allow an option like this for withholding taxes paid). Form 843 cannot be filed using TurboTax. I wanted to share this as an option if faster processing of the federal return is a priority to you, but it could be much messier than paper filing both returns. For this option, you would change box 4 in the 1099-G menu to zero, and then follow these instructions to file the state separately.

[user17753152289]

Well, I don't like the answer, but I am very thankful for your quick and detailed response. I guess I'll be doing a lot of printing and mailing; I'm afraid of the postage that'll be due.