When you click the Filing tab, onscreen prompts will take you through the process to electronically file (e-file) your return. Use the following steps to ensure your return is filed correctly.
Before beginning the e-file process, print your return and review your entries. The most common reasons for e-file rejections include misspelled names of taxpayers or dependents, as well as transposed numbers in birth dates, social security numbers, and employer identification numbers.
Some things to check when reviewing your return:
After reviewing your return, gather the following information before starting the filing process:
If you intend to e-file your state return, complete the State Q&A and review your state return before starting the e-file steps. Some states require that the state return be electronically filed with the federal return.
When you are ready to submit your e-file, click the Filing tab, then click E-File My Return on the main filing screen.
On the next screen, check the box next to Federal and the applicable State(s). You can e-file more than one state at a time. When e-filing multiple state returns, check the box next to each state you wish to e-file.
Complete the interview questions that follow. When you reach the signature screens, proceed to Step 3 below.
The IRS requires all taxpayers filing electronically to include an electronic signature. The only other option is to paper file your return.
Your electronic signature serves two purposes: identity verification and information authorization. To verify your identity, you must provide one of the following:
In the filing steps, you will reach a screen titled E-Filing - Prior Year Information. If you have last year's tax return, choose that option. Next, enter the AGI from that return, or enter the PIN you used to file last year.
If you have never filed a federal tax return, or if you did not file a return last year, choose I am a first-time filer or I did NOT file a 2014 tax return on the Prior Year Information screen.
See AGI, Self Select PIN, and Electronic Signature for more information and answers to common questions.
Note: The IRS will continue to reject your return until a correct AGI, Self-Select PIN, or Electronic Filing PIN is entered.
After signing your return, complete the remaining interview questions.
In order to successfully submit your return, you MUST complete ALL of the electronic filing steps. Your electronically filed return has not been submitted until you reach the screen with the Submit E-File button (see below).
After clicking the Submit E-file button, the next screen should indicate that the return was successfully submitted.
If you do not receive a screen indicating that your submission was successful, your return has not been transmitted to the IRS. Click on the Filing tab again and repeat the e-file steps to ensure that your return has been submitted.
If your return was successfully submitted, it has been received by TaxAct and transmitted to the IRS. This does not mean your return was accepted by the IRS. You must still monitor the status of your return until you receive a notice indicating that your return has been accepted by the IRS.
It is the taxpayer's responsibility to ensure that the return has been successfully filed. You can check the status of your electronically filed return(s) at any time by going to Electronic Filing Status.