Overview of electronic filing individual returns

With ProSeries/Electronic Filing software, you can electronically file:

▪	Federal individual returns with the IRS

▪	Federal extension request forms (Form 4868) with the IRS

▪	State individual returns with 41 states and the District of Columbia

Those states are:

Alabama	Arkansas	Arizona	California	Colorado	Connecticut
District of Columbia	Delaware	Georgia	Hawaii	Idaho	Illinois
Indiana	Iowa	Kansas	Kentucky	Louisiana	Maine
Maryland	Massachusetts	Michigan	Minnesota	Mississippi	Missouri
Montana	Nebraska	New Jersey	New Mexico	New York	North Carolina
North Dakota	Ohio	Oklahoma	Oregon	Pennsylvania	Rhode Island
South Carolina	Utah	Vermont	Virginia	West Virginia	Wisconsin

You also can electronically file:

▪	State extension request forms with Massachusetts and New York

▪	Property tax refund returns with Minnesota

 

Important:

Business tax returns. In addition to individual returns, for the 2007 tax year you can also electronically file: ▪ Federal corporation and S corporation returns and extensions ▪ Amended federal corporation and S corporation returns ▪ Federal partnership returns and extensions ▪ Federal exempt organization returns and extensions ▪ California corporation, S corporation, partnership, and LLC returns ▪ Florida corporation returns and extensions ▪ Georgia corporation and S corporation returns ▪ Maryland corporation and pass through entity returns and extensions ▪ Massachusetts corporation, S corporation, partnership, and fiduciary returns, and Massachusetts corporation and S corporation extensions ▪ Michigan Business Tax returns ▪ New York corporation and S corporation returns and extensions ▪ New York partnership returns, extensions, and payment forms ▪ South Carolina corporation and S corporation returns ▪ Wisconsin corporation, S corporation, and multistate corporation returns

Filing federal and state returns together

Most states prefer that you electronically file the federal and state individual returns together, but you can electronically file the state return without the taxpayer’s federal return. This is especially useful when a client’s federal return is accepted but the state return is rejected, requiring you to electronically file the client’s corrected state return separately.

Note the following exceptions:

North Dakota and South Carolina. These states allow you to electronically file the state return without the taxpayer’s federal return, but only after the client’s federal return has been accepted by the IRS.

 

Important:

Hawaii. Starting with the 2008 tax year, this state does not require that you electronically file the federal and state returns together. In prior years, if you didn't electronically file the federal return with the state return, you were required to file a printed copy of the state return with the Hawaii state taxing authority through the mail. That requirement is no longer applicable.

Internet Service Provider. To use ProSeries/Electronic Filing software, you don’t need a Web browser, but you do need an Internet Service Provider (ISP) that supports 128-bit encryption. If you don’t have an Internet Service Provider (ISP), sign up with one, then go to Setting up your Internet connection.

 

Tip:

Preparer Electronic Filing Instructions form. ProSeries/1040 and the 42 ProSeries Individual State products that offer electronic filing include a Preparer Electronic Filing Instructions form with three sections: ▪ The first section identifies the client, and shows the DCN (Declaration Control Number) for the return and the date that the electronically-filed return was accepted. ▪ The second section identifies steps that must be completed before the return is transmitted, and shows information about the return. ▪ The third section identifies steps that must be completed after the return is transmitted and accepted, and shows information about the return.

 

Important:

Starting date. Electronic filing begins on January 16, 2009.

Following is a summary of the main steps for filing returns electronically. Note that each section includes a reference to brief instructions (“Just the steps”) and a reference to more detailed instructions (“Detailed explanation”):

 

Set up the ProSeries program for electronic filing

▪	Introduction

▪	Firm and preparer/ERO information

▪	Electronic filing options

Step 1 - Mark the return for electronic filing

▪	Just the steps

▪	Detailed explanation

Step 2 - Prepare the client’s return

▪	Just the steps

▪	Detailed explanation

Step 3 - Run Final Review

▪	Just the steps

▪	Detailed explanation

Step 4 - From the EF Center, select the return(s)

▪	Just the steps

▪	Detailed explanation

Step 5 - Convert and transmit the return(s)

▪	Just the steps

▪	Detailed explanation

Step 6 - Wait 24 to 48 hours, then check for acknowledgments

▪	Just the steps

▪	Detailed explanation

Finishing up

▪	Just the steps

▪	Detailed explanation

Other important information

These topics cover important information related to electronic filing:

▪	What’s new for 2008

▪	Electronic filing requirements

▪	Electronic filing dates and deadlines

▪	Using the HomeBase EF Center

▪	Using passwords

▪	Electronic filing reports

▪	Filing Form 4868 electronically

▪	Filing returns and extensions electronically for another preparer

▪	Troubleshooting suggestions

▪	Getting help

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