Skip to main content
Level 2
February 10, 2020
Question

Update is necessary before transmitting return

  • February 10, 2020
  • 17 replies
  • 70 views

When I select "Transmit Returns Now", after thinking a few seconds it returns a popup that says "There is an update available for your version of TurboTax.  Before you can file electronically, you'll need to get this update.  To do this, go to the online menu and select Check For Updates."

 

Before I started my return today, I did the updates.  When I go to the online menu and select "Check for Updates", it tells me "Your software is up to date."  But then when I select "Transmit Returns Now", it gives me the same message as above ("There is an update available...").  I'm caught in a circle.  Can you help?  I've already paid on-line for my state tax return.  I'm using TurboTax Home and Business.

 

17 replies

DawnC
Level 15
February 10, 2020

This is a known issue.  When attempting to e-file a return in the TurboTax for Windows CD/Download software, this message appears:

 

There is an update available for your version of TurboTax. Before you can file electronically, you’ll need to get this update. To do this, go to the Online menu and select Check for Updates.

However, after updating, the same message continues to reappear, resulting in an endless loop.

 

Workaround

Some customers have been able to successfully e-file with this workaround:

  1. Follow the steps in the article Troubleshoot TurboTax for Windows updating issues.
  2. Now try e-filing again. If that didn't work, first uninstall and then reinstall your TurboTax program.
  3. Finally, if you're still unable to e-file after following the above steps, you can either sign up to be notified by email when a fix has been released, or you can file a conventional paper return.
**Say "Thanks" by clicking the thumb icon in a post. **Mark the post that answers your question by clicking on "Mark as Best Answer"
TLefort01Author
Level 2
February 10, 2020

Hi Dawn,

I uninstalled and reinstalled TurboTax but that didn't help.  I still get the circular reference and cannot transmit returns. 

I tried to transmit the Federal return separately and that worked.  However, when I tried to transmit the Massachusetts state return, that came back with the message about needing to be updated.  So apparently there is some issue with not being able to transmit the Massachusetts return.

Does this lend any additional perspective to the potential solution?  Do you recommend that I just send the MA state return via mail, or should I wait for a possible solution?  I have already paid the $19.99 plus tax to file my MA return electronically.

 

Thanks for your help,

Regards,

Tom

DawnC
Level 15
February 10, 2020

You should wait as your state error should go away once your federal return is accepted.  If you e-file your federal and state separately, you won't be able to file the state until the federal is accepted.  

 

How do I e-file my state after I already filed my federal?

**Say "Thanks" by clicking the thumb icon in a post. **Mark the post that answers your question by clicking on "Mark as Best Answer"
Level 2
February 16, 2020

I am having the same issue.

 

Tried manual updating as suggested.  The update worked successfully, however still unable to Transmit State return.

 

I have Transmitted Federal return alone, and it worked fine as was accepted by the IRS.

 

Tried again to Transmit just the State and still getting the circular loop.  This is very annoying. 

I have paid for the State Transmittal, and unable to actually Transmit electronically (e-file)

 

Options and Expectations;

1.) Intuit will provide a software solution and inform this Support chain (or Support forum) with a Target Date of when it will be available.

2.) Intuit will provide a refund for the cost for State efile, and notify how to request and obtain the refund/ Credit Card charge reversal.

 

 

Level 2
February 17, 2020

I'm getting the circular error for my Michigan state return .     How do I get this fixed?  OR How do I get a refund of my $19.99 ( credit to my CC)

 

Jon55tax

Level 2
February 17, 2020

This just happened to me with TT Deluxe 2019. I use Windows 10. Returns would not transmit. It kept saying it needed an update, but checking for updates said TT was already updated. Researching online brought up the suggestion to do a manual TT update for Windows. I searched, downloaded and installed the update and my returns finally transmitted. Give it a try.

 

P.S. I did not uninstall/reinstall TT. I just downloaded and installed the update.

P.P.S.  Illinois return also submitted successfully.

Level 2
February 25, 2020

could you provide the update that you used?

Level 2
February 17, 2020

Try updating again - I was on line with support for 30 minutes and finally had an update load and was able to transmit successfully.

Level 2
February 23, 2020

Hi,

I tried that several times, I also uninstalled and re-installed turbo tax. Nothing worked. I am now out 19.99 because turbo tax cannot refund me for the service they did not provide. Thansk anyway

Level 8
February 23, 2020

KL7721 see an answer posted above from DawnC0

**Say "Thanks" by clicking the thumb icon in a post. **Mark the post that answers your question by clicking on "Mark as Best Answer"
Level 2
February 23, 2020

Same with me.  Never again will I purchase Turbo Tax.  Credit Karma is free and doesn't have this issue.

Level 2
February 26, 2020

I had a similar problem and it ended up being that my CD was corrupt. After several uninstalls and re-installs from the CD, I uninstalled and downloaded turbo tax from the website and installed that....and that finally worked.

Level 2
February 26, 2020

My original was a download, not a CD. Thanks for the advice though

Level 2
March 1, 2020

I give up.  I'm e-filing directly with the IRS plus my state and asking for a refund  from TurboTax on the state filing fee.  I've used TurboTax for 20+ years and had no problems until now.  I'll skip purchasing TurboTax next year and e-file directly again regardless of how user-unfriendly it is.

 

I'm also posting something similar to this on costco.com.

Level 2
March 3, 2020

I am getting the same problem   I was able to transmit my Federal return but not my Illinois return.   When will this be fixed?

Level 2
March 10, 2020

I need an answer to this exact problem that I am having.

Level 15
March 11, 2020

@nnneir what exact problem are you having?

**Say "Thanks" by clicking the thumb icon in a post. **Mark the post that answers your question by clicking on "Mark as Best Answer"
Level 2
March 11, 2020

I cannot transmit my returns.....I see no update to do this when I press online online updates....   kxaw5

DMarkM1
Level 15
March 11, 2020

Try re-transmitting early in the day or late in the night to avoid server peak times.  If you have tried all the fixes noted above and the problem persist, you should contact customer support using this link.  

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