Although the IRS now allows year-round electronic filing with the new MeF system, the IRS must shut down for a short period for maintenance. These dates are as follows for 2020-2021:

Consumer 1040: Saturday, November 21, 2020

TaxAct will not allow 1040 e-filing as of this date to allow ample time for transmitting of returns to the IRS by their shutdown date. Once the IRS e-filing shutdown period begins, taxpayers will need to paper file their 2020 tax return.

Pro 1040: Saturday, November 21, 2020

ONLY Preparers have the ability to submit prior year individual (1040) returns. Tax Year 2020 returns can be submitted as soon as the Final version of the TaxAct software is released in January 2021, but the returns will not actually be transmitted to the IRS until they are ready to start processing them. Once the IRS starts processing returns for the current year (2020), a preparer can submit 2018 and 2019 returns.

The IRS will re-open e-filing in late January, 2021 (exact date still TBD).

Business (both Business Pro and Business Consumer): Wednesday, December 26, 2020.

Preparers and consumers filing business returns have the ability to submit prior year returns. 2020 returns can be submitted as soon as the Final version of the TaxAct software is released in January 2021, but the returns will not actually be transmitted to the IRS until they are ready to start processing them. Once the IRS starts processing returns for the current year (2020), a preparer and/or consumer can submit 2018 and 2019 business returns.

The IRS will re-open e-filing for business returns in early January, 2021 (exact date TBD)