Configuring Return Configuration Set General Electronic Filing Options

Tax allows you to reduce data entry time by configuring default electronic filing settings for Individual, Partnership, Corporation, S Corporation, Fiduciary, Exempt Organization, and Employee Benefit Plan returns in a return configuration set. You can override electronic filing options in the return configuration set using the General > Electronic Filing worksheet.

To set default electronic filing options, do the following:

1. Open Dashboard, click Application Links on the navigation panel, and then click Configuration > Return configuration sets under Tax.
2. Double-click a return configuration set on the navigation panel.
   
3. Click Electronic Filing Options > General on the navigation panel.
4. Enter information for default electronic filing options in the various areas. Explain the components of the window.

Component	Description
Electronic Filing Identification Number (EFIN)
EFIN	Enter the Electronic Filing Identification Number (EFIN) assigned to your firm by the IRS for electronically filing Individual, Partnership, Corporation, S Corporation, and Fiduciary returns. Notes: If Use signer location for signature block is selected on the return configuration set Signature Block window, the EFIN from Tax Lists > Signer Locations will be applied to the return. See Managing Signer Locations for more information. To view EFIN information for your firm's accounts, do the following: In EFS, if the grid in the active tab is filtered to display all offices, first select a specific office on the Filter/Search panel. Select Admin > EFIN Manager from the toolbar.
Vendor control number	Enter the 12-digit Vendor Control Number (VCN) that is assigned for electronically filing Individual returns. The VCN must be the correct one associated with the EFIN number entered above. Notes: This option applies to tax years 2016 and higher. If Use signer location for signature block is selected on the return configuration set Signature Block window, the vendor control number from Tax Lists > Signer Locations is applied to the return. See Managing Signer Locations for more information. The EFIN and VCN must both be entered in the same location (both in the return configuration set or both in the return). If only one is entered in the return configuration set and one in the return, the return may produce disqualifying diagnostics when it is submitted for electronic filing. Tell me more about Vendor Control Numbers.  A VCN is associated with a specific Electronic Filing Identification Number (EFIN) to ensure that EFIN is not being used fraudulently by a preparer or firm that should not be using it.  To view your firm's VCNs, do the following: Open the Electronic Filing Status System (EFS). Select Admin > EFIN Manager from the toolbar. The VCN that is associated with each of your firm's EFINs are listed in the EFIN Manager grid. For more information, go to our Knowledge Base and search for articles on Vendor Control Number.
Taxpayer/Spouse PIN program information (1040 only)
Randomly generate the taxpayer and spouse PIN (1040)	Select to randomly generate the taxpayer and spouse PIN.
Electronic filing options
Do not update electronic filing status in return	Select to not update the government form Electronic Filing Status Report and the electronic filing export window with the latest electronic filing status sent from the Electronic Filing Status System.
Print and correspondence options
Print the entire government copy, rather than just forms that were not included in the electronic file	Select to include forms that are electronically filed as well as paper filed forms.
Suppress printing of all forms during export	Excludes forms and payment vouchers with printed government copies when electronic files are created.
Do not print nonfileable message on signature forms	Excludes the "THIS IS NOT A FILEABLE COPY" statement on signature Forms 8453, 8878, 8879, and 8879-SO. Note: This option can be overridden at the firm level by selecting Do not allow suppression of nonfileable message on signature forms in Firm > Settings and defaults > Tax > Options.
Suppress printing of extension letters during export	Excludes extension letters when electronically filing extension forms.
Suppress printing of electronic filing and return results report	Excludes the Electronic Filing History and Return Results report when electronic files are created. This option applies for tax year 2020 returns and later for Individual, Corporation, S Corporation, Partnership, Fiduciary, and Exempt Organization returns. Note: This option can be overridden in a return using the Suppress printing of efile history and return results report option in the General section of the Electronic Filing worksheet.
Due date of electronic filing form code	Select how to process due dates in electronic filing paragraphs.
Electronic Return Originator (ERO) information
ERO information	Enter the following information: ERO contact name Preparer email address ERO PIN Select Randomly generate the ERO PIN to allow the system to randomly assign the ERO PIN for Individual and Fiduciary returns.
Electronic Return Originator (ERO) overrides
ERO override information	Select to replace signature block information with ERO overrides. If you select this box, enter the following information: ERO name ERO address ERO city State ERO Zip code Country ERO EIN ERO SSN Alternate ERO ID no. (PTIN) ERO telephone number
PTIN is accurate and I am the registered owner	If you are the signer and the PTIN information in this section belongs to you, select this check box to confirm that the PTIN information is correct. As per tax authority requirements, signers must verify their PTIN information before they can electronically file returns. Note: If the PTIN information for the signer is not already confirmed here, the signer is prompted to verify their information each time they navigate to this section. Also, if a 2019 or newer return is calculated while the PTIN information here is unconfirmed, the system generates a diagnostic advising that the PTIN information must be confirmed.
Self-employed	Select to override self-employed information on the signature block.

5. Click Save to save your changes and continue working in the return configuration set, or click Save & Close to save your changes and close the return configuration set.