Preparing a Return or Extension for Electronic Filing
Before a return or extension form can be electronically filed, it must be designated and qualified for e-filing in Tax.
Designating Returns or Extensions for Electronic Filing
Use the following worksheets to designate a tax return or extension for electronic filing. Worksheet and field-level Help are available with instructions on completing each worksheet.
Return Type | Worksheet |
---|---|
1040 Individual | Federal: Federal > General > Electronic Filing Specialized State: Federal General > Electronic Filing > Section 5 |
1065 Partnership, 1120 Corporation, 1120S S Corporation, 1041 Fiduciary | Federal > General > Electronic Filing |
5500 Employee Benefit Plan (not applicable for extensions) |
Federal: Federal > General > Electronic Filing 8955-SSA: Federal > Other > 8955-SSA - Stmt of separated Participants |
990 Exempt Organization | Federal > General > Electronic Filing |
For information about selecting default electronic filing options in the return configuration set, see the following topics:
- Configuring Return Configuration Set General Electronic Filing Options
- Configuring Return Configuration Set 1040/Individual Electronic Filing Options
- Configuring Return Configuration Set 1065/Partnership Electronic Filing Options
- Configuring Return Configuration Set 1120/Corporation Electronic Filing Options
- Configuring Return Configuration Set 1120S/S Corporation Electronic Filing Options
- Configuring Return Configuration Set 1041/Fiduciary Electronic Filing Options
- Configuring Return Configuration Set 5500/Employee Benefit Plan Electronic Filing Options
- Configuring Return Configuration Set 990/Exempt Electronic Filing Options
Designating State Returns for Magnetic Media Electronic Filing
Use the following worksheets to designate a state tax return for electronic filing. Form and field-level Help are available with instructions on completing each worksheet.
State/Return Type | Worksheet |
---|---|
Arkansas / Partnership | Federal > General > Electronic Filing > Section 4 |
Arkansas / S Corporation | Federal > General > Electronic Filing > Section 4 |
California / Partnership | Federal > General > Electronic Filing > Section 4 |
New Jersey / Partnership | Federal > General > Electronic Filing > Section 4 |
New Jersey / S Corporation | Federal > General > Electronic Filing > Section 4 |
Qualifying Returns or Extensions
The Diagnostics report in Tax lists the descriptions of errors and warnings that could affect the accuracy of a prepared tax return. Electronic filing data should be qualified using the Diagnostic report. If a return or extension form does not qualify, the reasons are identified in the report. Diagnostics are cleared from the report after errors or warnings are corrected, the return is recalculated, and the report is regenerated. For information about using the Diagnostics report, see Reviewing the Diagnostics Report.
Click Diagnostics on the Review tab from an open tax return to display the Diagnostics report. You can also review or print the Diagnostics report by selecting Print > Print Return Sections > Preparer Reports from the Application menu.
Designating State Returns for Magnetic Media Electronic Filing
Use the following worksheets to designate a state tax return for electronic filing. Form and field-level Help are available with instructions on completing each worksheet.
State/Return Type | Worksheet |
---|---|
Arkansas / Partnership | Federal > General > Electronic Filing > Section 4 |
Arkansas / S Corporation | Federal > General > Electronic Filing > Section 4 |
New Jersey / Partnership | Federal > General > Electronic Filing > Section 4 |
New Jersey / S Corporation | Federal > General > Electronic Filing > Section 4 |
Qualifying Returns or Extension Forms
The Diagnostics report is an interactive report in Tax that lists the descriptions of errors and warnings that could affect the accuracy of a prepared tax return. Electronic filing data should be qualified using the Diagnostic report. If a return or extension form does not qualify, the reason is identified in the report. Diagnostics are cleared from the report after errors or warnings are corrected, the return is calculated, and the report is regenerated.
You can also review or print the Diagnostics report by selecting the Preparer Reports print option in Tax.
See and Reviewing the Diagnostics Report and Printing Preparer Reports for more information.
Qualifying Returns for New Jersey Magnetic Media
Qualified New Jersey nonresident individuals can participate in a Composite Gross Income Tax return, Form NJ-1080-C, and do not have to file their own income tax return with New Jersey, provided that they meet certain criteria.
Entities eligible to file composite returns on behalf of the above individuals are:
- Professional Athletic teams
- Partnerships
- Limited Partnerships
- Limited Liability Company
- Estates & Trusts
- New Jersey Electing S Corporation
The New Jersey Division of Taxation requires that the list of nonresident individuals (participants and non-participants) listed in Form NJ-1080-C Sch A, NJ-1080-C Sch B, and NJ-1080-C Sch C for Partnership and S Corporation return types to be filed with a Microsoft® Excel® file on diskette or re-writable CD if there are 25 or more participants. The system provides a diagnostic when New Jersey magnetic media is required for the return.
Links to the return, diskette, and Microsoft® Excel® file requirements are listed beside NJ-1080C - Diskette Specifications Directory on the following New Jersey website:
http://www.state.nj.us/treasury/taxation/prntgit.shtml
The Federal > General > Electronic Filing > Section 4 worksheet State Electronic Filing option or the return configuration set 1065/Partnership or 1120S/S Corporation electronic filing option, Create New Jersey NJ-1080-C diskette file, must be selected.
Verifying PDF Attachments
Some return types require PDF attachments when electronically filing. Open the Federal > General > Electronic Filing worksheet and verify if the required, optional, or both PDF attachments are present in the worksheet sections relating to PDF Attachments.
See the following topics for more information: