Why sign in to the Community?

  • Submit a question
  • Check your notifications
Sign in to the Community or Sign in to TurboTax and start working on your taxes
Level 2
posted Jan 16, 2025 11:59:04 AM

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?

0 19 3885
19 Replies
Expert Alumni
Jan 20, 2025 7:43:39 AM

To clarify, 

What do you mean by PEL number?

Level 2
Jan 20, 2025 7:54:27 AM

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

Level 2
Jan 20, 2025 7:55:38 AM

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

Level 15
Jan 20, 2025 8:02:11 AM

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.

Level 2
Jan 20, 2025 8:27:34 AM

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.

Level 15
Jan 20, 2025 9:04:26 AM

@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      ????

 

Level 15
Jan 20, 2025 9:33:50 AM

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

 

 

Level 1
Jan 23, 2025 5:45:09 AM

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!

Level 2
Jan 23, 2025 6:01:16 AM

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

Level 2
Jan 23, 2025 8:58:09 AM

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

Level 2
Jan 23, 2025 11:10:43 AM

That worked!

Level 1
Jan 23, 2025 1:39:58 PM

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

Level 2
Jan 23, 2025 1:49:27 PM

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

New Member
Jan 26, 2025 7:19:18 PM

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.

New Member
Jan 29, 2025 12:33:18 PM

Did you get an answer? I am having the same issue

Level 2
Jan 29, 2025 12:55:54 PM

Add zeros to the beginning of your ID. Illinois accepted my return and paid me already.

Level 2
Jan 31, 2025 12:39:11 PM

Add 2 zeros in front of the number and it will go through 

I am a year around tech support agent.. I have seen this and this is the fix 

Expert Alumni
Jan 31, 2025 12:48:42 PM

As mentioned above, add enough zeros in front of the number to make it nine digits.  @TeacherAli 

Level 2
Feb 4, 2025 10:54:14 AM

Adding the 2 zeros before the number is the correct resolution