What gets transmitted when eFiling?

[Solar Eclipse]

I can see 'All forms for filing' in the Print Preview, or if printed for paper filing.  But what exactly gets transmitted when eFiling? I'm getting increasingly concerned over the number of blank and/or unnecessary forms & worksheets that are being generated by TT in recent years, so it left me wondering how does someone know what exactly will be transmitted prior to eFiling, and ultimately what was transmitted?

SE

(TT Deluxe 2025 for Windows Desktop)

[M-MTax]

OK, it's not as if what you see (forms and schedules) gets transmitted to the IRS as is.

Instead, the figures you enter (or imported data) on the forms and schedules you see get transmitted in machine-readable format (which you probably wouldn't even recognize) to the IRS. To the best of my knowledge, nothing that is not required to calculate taxes due or refunds (if any) is transmitted to the IRS in the format you see when you view your return (and worksheets).

[Solar Eclipse]

Thanks.  I realize the return data isn't sent as an exact image of the forms.  But how can someone know what exact forms & worksheet data is being transmitted?  Is it safe to assume ONLY the very same 'Forms for filing' that would show up in the Print Preview/Paper Filing approach would be transmitted, or could any number of other forms & worksheet data in the Forms view possibly be transmitted as well?

I *REALLY* don't feel comfortable eFiling without understanding what exactly is being sent, especially with the growing amount of blank/irrelevant forms & worksheets creeping into the Forms view the last few years...

[M-MTax]

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@Solar Eclipse wrote:

...could any number of other forms & worksheet data in the Forms view possibly be transmitted...?

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Those don't get transmitted and are for your records only. In fact, not even every single thing listed in "Forms for filing" get transmitted, most notably the filing instructions. The IRS wants just enough information to calculate taxes and refunds (along with some critical information on those forms/schedules).

This would be a drastic oversimplification, but if you can't find it on the IRS web site, it almost certainly does not get transmitted (with very limited exceptions, such as certain election forms).