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e-file 1065 returns

Guidelines to attach PDF files for e-file

You may need to attach supporting documentation to the e-file. This includes tax forms, statements, elections, notices, schedules, or other miscellaneous information the IRS may require through form instructions, regulations, or publications.
The attachments may be submitted electronically as XML documents or as PDF files.

XML documents

IRS has defined schemas for the following information that you'll need to provide in XML format:
  • Tax forms. We automatically format in XML tax form information included in the return.
  • Tax form instructions often request information to support specific lines, like other income. The system automatically formats this additional return information into XML.
  • Sometimes the schema provides specific data elements, and sometimes it can use free-form text.
  • Information requested in regulations or publications, which isn't specified in form instructions.
note
If information for either attachment type requires columnar format, the IRS lets you include it as a PDF attachment.

PDF attachments

The tax return may also include non-XML documents, known as binary attachments, submitted in PDF format. PDF attachments let taxpayers submit requested documentation, including signatures and third-party documents.
PDF files can be created using any available tool, but follow these IRS guidelines:
  • For optimal file size, use Adobe Acrobat version 7 or newer when creating PDF attachments.
  • To increase compression and lower file size for scanned documents, move the compression/quality slider on the
    Create PDF From Scanner
     tool.
  • Each uncompressed PDF should remain under 60 MB. All uncompressed PDFs in the return can't exceed 1 GB combined.
  • Limit PDF file names to 57 characters for 1040 returns. Limit file names to 23 characters for 1065 returns, including the file extension.
  • The file name and description can't include any of the following special characters:
    • Single and double quotation marks (') (")
    • Angle brackets (<) (>)
    • Ampersand (& (symbol on the number 7 on the keyboard))
    • Exclamation mark (!)
When attaching a PDF, the description you enter should be meaningful and described in 128 characters or less.
Specific to art appraisals, the IRS requires the description begin with - Art Appraisal.

This article applies to:

  • PRODUCT: ONESOURCE Income Tax
  • Return type: 1040 Individual,990 Exempt Organization,1065 Partnership,1041 Fiduciary
  • Subject: e-file

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