U.S. Tax Electronic File (e-File) FAQs

U.S. Tax Electronic File (e-File) FAQs

Can I file an amended Form 1040-X electronically?
 
Answer:
You can file Form 1040-X, Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return electronically with tax filing software to amend tax year 2020 or later Forms 1040 and 1040-SR, and tax year 2021 or later Forms 1040-NR. If amending a prior year return originally filed on paper, then the amended return must also be filed on paper. See Form 1040-X, Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return, Frequently Asked Questions for more information. You still have the option to submit a paper version of the Form 1040-X and should follow the instructions for preparing and submitting the paper form.

Additional Information:
Filing Your Taxes
Instructions for Form 1040-X, Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return
Tax Topic 308 — Amended Returns
Subcategory:
Amended Returns
Category:
Electronic Filing (e-file)
I don't owe taxes. Can I file electronically after April 15?
 
Answer:
Yes, electronically filed tax returns are accepted until November. The specific cutoff date in November is typically announced in October in the QuickAlerts Library. However, keep in mind the following:

If April 15 doesn't fall on a weekend or legal holiday, you must file Form 4868, Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return on or before April 15 for your return to be considered timely if filed after April 15.
If April 15 falls on a weekend or legal holiday, you have until midnight the next business day following April 15 to timely file either Form 4868 or your tax return.
If you timely file Form 4868, you have until October 15 to timely file your return. If October 15 falls on a weekend or legal holiday, you have until midnight the next business day following October 15 to timely file your tax return.
If you have a balance due and don't timely file Form 4868, you may be subject to a failure to file penalty if you file your return after April 15 (or after the next business day following April 15, if April 15 falls on a weekend or legal holiday).
Additional Information:
Filing for Individuals
What Is the Due Date of My Federal Tax Return or Am I Eligible to Request an Extension?
Tax Topic 304 - Extension of Time to File Your Tax Return
E-File Options for Individuals
Subcategory:
Due Dates & Extension Dates for e-file
Category:
Electronic Filing (e-file)
My electronic tax return keeps getting rejected because a dependent's social security number (SSN) is used more than once on one return or is used on another return. What should I do?
 
Answer:
If you have verified the SSNs for all your dependents with the Social Security Administration and no one else is authorized to claim them, the following scenario probably applies to you:

The SSN in question also appears as the filer, spouse, or dependent on another tax return for this same year.
Whether the cause of this rejection is the result of a typo on another return or an attempt by another party to claim a benefit using your dependent's SSN, the IRS has security measures in place to ensure the accuracy of returns submitted.
The IRS will, in some cases, contact taxpayers using the same SSN to claim a benefit and ask them to reconsider their eligibility or to provide supporting documentation.
If you've verified this dependent's SSN and found no errors, unfortunately you need to file a paper return.
Don't attach any information or documents with your return proving your eligibility to claim a dependent; if needed, the IRS will contact you by mail for any supporting documentation.
 

Additional Information:
E-File Options for Individuals
Subcategory:
Age, Name or SSN Rejects, Errors, Correction Procedures
Category:
Electronic Filing (e-file)
My spouse and I will be filing an original joint Form 1040 series tax return. Can we file our return electronically?
 
Answer:
Yes, you can file an original Form 1040 series tax return electronically using any filing status.

Filing your return electronically is faster, safer, and more accurate than mailing your tax return because it's transmitted electronically to the IRS computer systems.

Additional Information:
E-File Options for Individuals
Subcategory:
Age, Name or SSN Rejects, Errors, Correction Procedures
Category:
Electronic Filing (e-file)
I filed electronically and my tax return was rejected. What do I do now?
 
Answer:
There must be an error on your tax return. Please review the following:

You should receive an explanation of why your return was rejected.
If you made a mistake in entering a social security number, a payer's identification number, omitted a form, or misspelled a name, you can correct these errors and electronically file your tax return again.
Unfortunately, there are other errors that will cause you to have to file your return by mail.
To timely file a paper return after an electronic return was rejected, you must file the return by the later of the due date of the return or 10 calendar days after the date the IRS gives notification that it has rejected it.
If you have further questions, call us at 800-829-1040 (see Telephone Assistance for hours of operation).
For general information about e-file, refer to E-File Options for Individuals.
Subcategory:
Age, Name or SSN Rejects, Errors, Correction Procedures
Category:
Electronic Filing (e-file)
What software is endorsed or approved by the IRS for IRS e-file?
 
Answer:
The IRS has partnered with many companies to provide electronic filing to the public. However, the IRS doesn't endorse or approve any particular software for IRS e-file.

To learn more, see E-File Options for Individuals or Electronic Filing Options for Business and Self-Employed Taxpayers.

Subcategory:
Age, Name or SSN Rejects, Errors, Correction Procedures
Category:
Electronic Filing (e-file)
If I file my Form 1040 or 1040-SR electronically, what do I do with my Forms W-2?
 
Answer:
You'll use the information from your Forms W-2 to complete your tax return. After filing, retain a copy of the forms for your records. When filing electronically:

You must provide a copy of your Forms W-2 to the authorized IRS e-file provider before the provider sends the electronic return to the IRS.
You don't need to send your Forms W-2 to the IRS and should keep them in a safe place with a copy of your tax return.
Use Form 8453, U.S. Individual Income Tax Transmittal for an IRS e-File Return to submit any paper documents that need to be sent after your return has been accepted electronically.
For general information about e-file, refer to E-File Options for Individuals.

Subcategory:
Forms W-2 & Other Documents
Category:
Electronic Filing (e-file)