Exporting Electronic Files for a Return or Extension Form

Returns can be electronically filed for the current tax year and two prior years. Export electronic files only after you do the following:

If you are planning to request digital signatures during the export process and need more information about this option, see The CCH® eSign Interface for an overview. For more detailed information, see CCH eSign Guides and References.

Note: The following security group functional rights apply to electronically file returns or extensions:

  • EFS status - Upload and hold return for release
  • EFS status - Upload and release return to taxing authority

To export a return or extension for electronic filing to the Electronic Filing Status System, do the following:

  1. Select Calc > Return on the Home tab.
  2. Review the Diagnostics report to qualify the return or extension form for electronic filing.
  3. Do one of the following to start the export to electronic filing:
    • Click EFS in the Export group on the Import/Export tab.
    • Click Export in the EFS group on the Review tab.
  4. Select one of the following options from the menu:
    • Returns
    • Extensions
    • Specialized State Extension
    • Specialized State Estimate > Quarter
    • New York IT-204-LL
    • Report of Foreign Bank/Financial Accounts
  5. Select the return units you want to file electronically. Qualified units are selected by default. The units that were previously filed electronically were refreshed with the current electronic filing statuses when you opened the return.

    6. Notes:

    • You cannot select returns with Disqualified and Not Available statuses, and they do not upload. They display in the Electronic Filing Status System so you can track the remaining returns to be filed.
    • You can click Review electronic filing direct deposit/debit report to review deposit and debit details.
  6. Do the following, if applicable, to request a digital signature for authorization forms.
    • If you are exporting an Individual return, select Send for eSign to request a digital signature for authorization forms.
    • Select Publish eSign copy to Client Collaboration if your firm licenses Client Collaboration and would like the signed documents to be uploaded from eSign to the Client Collaboration client hub. The client must previously have been invited to join the client hub to use this option.

    7. Notes: 

    • The CCH eSign package consists of e-file signature authorization forms, the client copy of the return, any user attached PDFs, and any requested filing instructions. The print set assigned to the return's organizational unit is used; however, Authorization forms print first, regardless of the print set print order.
    • The CCH eSign package cannot exceed 20 MB or 2,000 pages. If the CCH eSign package exceeds 20 MB, you are given the option to exclude user-attached PDFs to reduce the file size. If the CCH eSign package exceeds 2,000 pages, return information cannot be sent to CCH eSign, regardless if the file size is under 20 MB.
  7. Click Next.

    8. Note: If you are exporting magnetic media files for the following states, the system provides you the export file path:

    • For Arkansas, the file path is C:\Users\<your user name>\Documents\WK\Return Print Files\AR10000CR\<tax year>
    • For New Jersey, the file path is C:\Users\<your user name>\Documents\WK\Return Print Files\NJ1080C\<tax year>
  8. Click one of the following to upload the return to the Electronic Filing Status System:
    • Click Upload and hold to upload the selected return to the Electronic Filing Status System and hold the return for manual release to the taxing authority.
    • Click Upload and release to upload the return to the Electronic Filing Status System and release the return to the taxing authority automatically. This option is not available if you selected Send for eSign.

    Note: Beginning with tax year 2018 electronic filing, most states require you to install the latest version of the Tax software within ten business days of the deployment of the next release. When a software release contains an update for a participating state, that state will not accept returns that are transmitted after the ten business day limit. In this case, the return is considered expired and you must calculate the return on the latest version.

  9. Do one of the following:
    • If no PDF files are attached to the return, skip to step 10.
    • If PDF files are attached to the return (required for Corporation, S Corporation, Partnership, or Exempt Organization returns), a list of PDF file names, modified dates, categories (Required or Optional), and associated forms displays. Click the PDF icon in the View column to review the PDF attachments, if needed.
  10. Click Export to continue the export process.
  11. When the upload is complete, click Finish. If signature forms have been prepared and you did not select Send for eSign, you can print the required signature forms. For New Jersey magnetic media, you can open Batch Manager to download the magnetic media file.
    • An IRS or DOL formatted file is created and uploaded. For Individual returns, a fileable Form 8879 or authorization form prints. For Partnership, Corporation, S Corporation, Fiduciary, and Exempt Organization returns, a fileable Form 8879-PE, 8453-PE, Form 8879-F, Form 8879-C, Form 8879-S, Form 8453-FE, or Form 8879-EO prints.
    • After the IRS-formatted file is created, fileable Form 8879 or authorization forms can be printed until the return is recalculated using the Selective Pages or Entire Return print option in Tax.
    • If an electronic return is recalculated, a non-fileable message appears on the respective Form 8879 or authorization form until you generate a new electronic return file. An export of a tax return overwrites a previously exported file for that return.

Notes: