Has anyone had problems with e-filing their final tax returns if they e-filed the extension? The error code kicks back rejected on the tax return due to SSN already has been used. After several of these rejections, we figured it was a software mistake or we are missing some little box somewhere that needs checked. If you can help, please do.
Are you sure that you didn't accidentally file the return, rather than an extension, the first time? Alternatively, are you sure that you're currently attempting to file the return, and not the extension?
I've never had such an error as you've described. No special checkboxes needed or anything.
I went through again and filed just the tax return. It shows in the e-file list that the Federal ext. was accepted, and when we tried to send the actual file it said the SSN was already used. This has happened to several of the files that we sent extensions through the computer. In previous years, we hard mailed the extensions.
I have not had any problems e-filing a return after e-filing the extension.
I haven't yet done one of these this year, but in a few weeks I plan to. There is one client whose extension I e-filed (all others were sent on paper), and when I finish the actual return and try to send it over the wires, I'll see what happens. If the same problem occurs with my client as occurred with the person who started this thread, I'll tell that client we have to do the extension by paper from now on, to avoid having to file 50 pages of a tax return on paper with the government. I hope that won't happen, but at least I'm on notice now.
In fact, my client who e-files the extension, always owes money and pays electronically on the 4868 as well as e-filing the 4868. I don't know if BeckyJo's client e-paid the 4868, or didn't have to pay on the 4868. I wonder if that somehow has a bearing.
I wonder if somehow there was a state filing that caused this problem? My client is in PA, and does the PA extension and payment by paper, and only the Federal one electronically. Maybe there's a glitch in the Oregon state program (assuming it's an Oregon client, since BeckyJo is in Oregon) which caused the problem of not being able to use the same SSN twice in one year for the two different types of returns. Or maybe the "state extension" (vs the "Fed extension") is somehow stuck in "on" status even though BeckyJo tried to make the newest file be "actual return only."
I've had clients pay their tax due electronically with the extension and then efile the return with no problems.
AFAIK, Lacerte only supports efile of the Federal extension, so there shouldn't be a state issue with respect to extensions.
Becky, exactly what Error Reject Code are you getting?
We have efiled all our extensions for the past several years. The only time we get this message is when someone's kid claimed themselves, inadvertently, or when we miskeyed the SSN.
Your reject will tell you which line the faulty SSN is on. Then you can start to track down if the number was used by someone else.
Lacerte Tech Support can walk you through the process, if you're unfamiliar with it.
I efile all my extensions and on some of them I have also efiled the tax returns, indidivuals, and had no problem. Is this an individual, corp or partnership? I suggest that you call Lacerte tech support and/or email them the client so that they can look at what is wrong. You should be able to efile the extension and also efile the return.
Our firm e-filed several hundred extensions both last year and this year (individual, S & C Corps, & 1065's). Much easier than mailing them. There are several times we had rejections. Most of the time it was because either a dependent had filed his own return taking his exemption (E-file or tele-tax to get early refund), or another person had already filed a return claiming the dependent (custody issues, divorce, broken families, etc.). All these can cause issues. When claiming a parent as a dependent, the parent may have filed a return to get the stimulus payment. We have also had several cases where someone else had filed a return using our client's SS#. (Sometimes these are keypunch errors by another tax preparer or an individual, and sometimes it is identity theft.)
The error code description should identify the line # of the person whose SS# is causing the problem. You can also call the IRS preparer E-file help line. Usually they look it up and can help to some extent. Sometimes they give you a hard time because of privacy laws, but you can narrow down the problem.
In these situations you must paper file the return with an explanation, and possibly amend a dependent return where necessary.
None of these issues have anything to do with the e-filed extensions!!!
In one case, we were filing a person as single, but their spouse (surprise to us) had filed MFS so we had to change the filing status!
