- Do I qualify for electronic filing?
Most taxpayers qualify for electronic filing.
Some of the rare situations in which you may not qualify include:
- You have a foreign address.
- You want to efile your state return, but not your federal return.
- Your status is Married Filing Jointly, only one spouse earned income, and you are claiming Child Care Credit.
- (All three must apply to disqualify you.)
- You received a waiver from the IRS.
If you do not qualify, you can still use the EFILE program to prepare your return (charges apply).
When it is finished, the program will notify you that it must be printed and mailed.
Paperless efile:
If you decide to use paperless electronic filing, the IRS requires you to create your own 5-digit personal identification number (PIN) and enter your prior year Adjusted Gross Income.
This creates an electronic signature to allow you to file your return without mailing any paperwork to the IRS.
top 
- I only want to file my federal return and not the state return electronically. How do I do this?
To electronically file the federal return without the state, you must answer No to the question, "Do you want to file your state return electronically (if applicable)?" This question is located on the Filing Options page which is the first step on the Steps to File page.
- What if I have to pay in more than one state the state income tax?
You can select ONE state during your federal return.
For the second or third state we suggest you submit a paper return. Why? Most states require the FEDERAL tax return to be filed and accepted. In that case you can not file two federal returns. For more information go to www.efile.com and click on efile state forms or state agencies.
- When filing electronically, what forms, if any, do I mail to the IRS?
The IRS and many states are offering truly paperless filing.
If you choose to use this method of filing, you will not be required to mail any forms.
You should still print a copy of your tax return for future reference.
See: Signing Your Electronic Return in the Filing Options step of the Steps to File page.
Use Paperless Electronic Filing.
If you decide to use paperless electronic filing, the IRS requires you to create your own 5-digit personal identification number (PIN) and enter your prior year Adjusted Gross Income.
This creates an electronic signature to allow you to file your return without mailing any paperwork to the IRS.
If you do not choose to take advantage of federal paperless filing, you will be required to mail Form 8453-OL (addresses on where to send the form are on the form) to sign your return.
If your state does not offer paperless filing, you will be required to mail your state's electronic filing signature form.
Filing instructions specific to your state will be included with your printed return.
Note: The IRS no longer requires you to mail your Forms W-2, W-2G, or 1099-R when filing electronically.
State electronic filing forms:
8453: CO, DC, ID, IN, MA, MI, MO, NJ, NM, OH, PA, UT, VA, VT
8453-OL: AZ, AL, AR, CT, DE, GA, IA, KY, LA, MS, RI, SC, WI, WV
Other: MD: EL101; ME: 1040ME-EL, NC: NC-RA, ND: 37-SOL, NY: IT-201-E, OK: 511EF, OR: Form EF
None: CA, HI, IL, KS, MN, NE, MT
top
- Do I need to submit Forms W-2, W-2G, or 1099-R if I am filing electronically?
No, the requirement to attach Forms W-2, Wage and Tax Statement, Form W-2G, Certain Gambling Winnings, and Form 1099-R, Distribution From Pensions, Annuities, Retirement or Profit-Sharing Plans, IRAs, Insurance Contract, etc., with the Form 8453-OL, U.S. Individual Income Tax Declaration for an e-file On-Line Return, has been eliminated.
However, the IRS advises you to continue to maintain copies of these attachments for your records. If you do not use a Self-Select PIN to sign your tax return, a completed Form 8453-OL should be mailed to the IRS service center where your electronic return was accepted.
- I don't have an e-mail address. Can I still use your service?
No. We require you to give us an e-mail address if you plan to use our program to prepare your return. An e-mail address is part of the information needed to complete tax return. In addition, our program uses your e-mail address to advise you if your return has been accepted or rejected by the IRS for electronic filing. We also use your e-mail address to send you special notifications that might impact your return.
You can get a free e-mail address from several online services such as Hotmail, Yahoo, Lycos, and many others.
- How will I know when I've completed my return?
If you navigate all the way through your return by pressing the Continue button, you should arrive at the End of Interview Questions page indicating successful completion of the data entry program, and instructions for the next step.
You can also check your progress by observing the main tabs and the listed categories beneath them. Red checks indicate that the particular section so marked is completed, a red half diamond is an indication of something left to complete in that section.
To complete the filing process, you must click Continue on the End of Interview Questions page or click the Review Return link at the bottom of any page. This will lead you through the final steps to file your return.
top
- What is a Self-Select PIN? - required for paperless efile
A Self-Select PIN is an identification number that allows you to electronically file your return without the hassle of signing and mailing a signature form.
The federal Self-Select PIN is a 5-digit number that you personally select.
California and Illinois issue PINs and require that all online filers use paperless filing. Maine also issues PINs for electronic / paperless filing, the use of the PIN is optional. The other states either use the Federal PIN, do not require a PIN for paperless filing, or do not offer the paperless filing option.
- I filed a Form 1040A or 1040EZ last year. How do I find last year's AGI?
For Form 1040A your AGI is line 21.
For Form 1040EZ your AGI is line 4.
- Is it safe for me to enter bank information on the Internet?
Absolutely! When transmitting information between you and the program server, data security is handled through a security protocol called Secure Sockets Layer (SSL). SSL is an established and mature Internet security standard with two dominant features: data encryption and web server authentication.
- I filed a joint return last year. Do I have to enter prior year AGI for both the taxpayer and the spouse?
Yes. If you filed a joint return last year you should enter the prior year Adjusted Gross Income in both the taxpayer and spouse fields.
top
- Can I elect not to efile my return if I find I owe money instead of getting a refund?
Yes. Our program checks your entries according to the rules and regulations set down by the IRS for electronic filing.
Although the rules and regulations differ only slightly from a paper return, our program will help your return conform through specific diagnostics as you enter your information in the interview questions. You may deselect your return for electronic filing any time prior to submitting it to the IRS.
To deselect electronic filing you must:
- Click Review Return at the bottom of any page
- Click Continue until you reach the Steps to File page
- Click Filing Options
- Answer No to the question "Do you intend to file this return electronically?"
- If I prepare and complete my tax return on your system but not efile, will I still be charged for my return?
You are charged the amount shown on the home page for the preparation of your return by our system. You will have all the benefits of error checking and completing a return thus you will be charged.
Electronic filing is included for qualified returns at no additional cost.
- What happens if I file after the IRS deadline? What penalties, if any, will I owe for filing late?
If you owe tax and don't file on time, the combined late-filing (4 1/2%) and late-payment penalty (1/2%) is 5% of the tax owed for each month, or part of a month, that your return is late and the tax is unpaid, up to 25%. The late-filing penalty continues at 1/2% a month up to 25% on unpaid amounts.
If your return is over 60 days late, the minimum penalty is the smaller of $100 or 100% of the tax owed.
top