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This article applies to:

  • Product: CoCounsel
  • Audiences: Tax professionals

Approval and filing

Understand the approval process

Approval is the step where you finalize a return and prepare it for filing. When you approve a return for e-filing:
  1. The system performs a full recompute of the return.
  2. All diagnostics are re-checked to ensure Critical issues are resolved.
  3. A billing unit is consumed (if applicable and not already used during printing).
  4. An electronic file is created and validated.
  5. If approval is successful, the return becomes visible on the
    Filing Dashboard
     and is ready for transmission.
note
Some jurisdictions may only support e-filing. The system will indicate the available options for each jurisdiction.
When you approve a return for paper:
  1. The system performs a full recompute of the return.
  2. If approval is successful, the return becomes visible on the
    Filing Dashboard
     with a paper filing status. From there you can print and file the return.

Approve returns

  1. Open the approval modal:
    1. From your tax return project, locate the
      Approve for Filing
       button on either the
      Prepare
       or
      Review
       tabs.
    2. Select to open the approval modal.
  2. Review available returns:
    1. The modal displays all jurisdictions and filing types for your return:
      1. Federal return (Form 1040)
      2. State returns
      3. Extensions
      4. Estimated tax payments
    2. Returns are categorized as:
      1. Ready to approve
        : All preconditions are met; ready to approve.
      2. Not ready to approve
        : Issues prevent approval (for example, Critical diagnostics).
  3. Select filing method:
    1. For each return, you can choose:
      1. E-file:
         Transmit electronically.
      2. Paper:
         Print and mail the return from the filing dashboard or using the print option while inside of the tax return.
    2. Some jurisdictions may only support 1 filing method.
    3. The system will indicate available options for each jurisdiction.
  4. Select returns to approve:
    1. Select each return you want to approve.
    2. You can approve multiple returns at once (for example, federal and state together).
  5. Select approve:
    1. The system will process your approval request, and you'll see a notification indicating success or any errors.

After approval

For e-filed returns:
  • A qualified electronic file is created.
  • The return appears on the
    Filing Dashboard
     with status
    Ready to Transmit
    .
  • You can view the e-file XML to verify contents.
  • The return must be transmitted to the taxing authority and receive an
    Accepted
     status to complete the filing successfully.
For paper-filed returns:
  • The return is marked as approved for paper filing.
  • The return appears on the
    Filing Dashboard
    .
  • You can print the return for mailing.

E-file approval preconditions

Before a return can be selected for e-filing approval, the following conditions must be met:
  • Critical diagnostics are resolved.
  • E-filing is enabled for the jurisdiction and filing type.
  • The e-file is open (filing season has started).
  • The return is not already in queue, transmitted or accepted (unless you are filing an amended return).
  • A billing unit is available (if applicable).
  • Your EFIN is verified.
If any precondition is not met, the return will be marked
Not Ready
 and you'll need to address the issues before approval.

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