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E-file state returns

Submit linked and unlinked state returns

Submit state returns as linked or unlinked filings, and resolve common reject codes for state e-file submissions.

Linked filing

Linked filing connects your state tax return to your federal tax return and submits them either simultaneously or soon after.
  1. Go to the
    Create Electronic Filing Batch
     screen, then go to the
    Select Return/Extension
     section.
  2. Select
    Check Federal Return
     and
    Check State Return
     for the federal and state returns.
  3. Select the
    Qualified
     returns to submit.
You can submit linked returns using 2 methods, depending on whether the IRS has already accepted your federal return.
For federal returns that the IRS has already accepted
:
  1. Create the qualified state e-file.
  2. Follow each step of the
    Steps of Electronic Filing
     screens in the State Organizer.
  3. Ensure your federal return details are accurate. You need this to link your state and federal returns and to attach a federal return copy.
  4. Close the return after creating the qualified state return.
  5. On the
    Create Electronic Filing Batch
     screen, in the
    Select Return/Extension
     section, select both the
    federal ready to send
     and the
    states ready to send
     options.
For Federal returns that
the IRS hasn't yet accepted
:
  1. Create the qualified state e-file.
  2. Follow each step of the
    Steps of Electronic Filing
     screens in the State Organizer.
  3. Ensure your federal return details are accurate. You need this to link your state and federal returns and to attach a federal return copy.
  4. Close the return after creating the qualified state return.
  5. On the
    Create Electronic Filing Batch
     screen, in the
    Select Return/Extension
     section, select both the
    federal ready to send
     and the
    states ready to send
     options.
Thomson Reuters first submits your federal return while holding your state return. When the IRS accepts your federal return, Thomson Reuters submits your state return as a linked filing. If the IRS rejects your federal return, your state return is also rejected. If this happens, correct your federal return and resubmit both returns.

Unlinked filing

Unlinked filing lets you submit your state return independently, without directly connecting it to a federal return submission.
  1. Go to the
    Create Electronic Filing Batch
     screen, then go to the
    Select Return/Extension
     section.
  2. Select
    Check State Return
    .
  3. Select the
    Qualified
     returns to submit.
To submit an unlinked filing:
  1. On the
    Copy of Federal Return
     screen within the State Organizer or Common State Organizer, select
    State Only Copy of the Federal Return
    .
  2. Create the qualified state e-file by following each step on the State Organizer's
    Steps of Electronic Filing
     screens.
  3. Ensure your federal return details are accurate. You need this to link your state and federal returns and to attach a federal return copy.
  4. Close the return after creating the qualified state return.
  5. On the
    Create Electronic Filing Batch
     screen, in the
    Select Return/Extension
     section, select
    states ready to send
    .

Reject codes

Thomson Reuters may reject otherwise qualified state returns if conditions exist that would cause MeF to reject the return. These reject codes are specific to MeF filing:
  • Error 9501
    : For both linked and unlinked submissions. The system was checking in the state return, but couldn’t find a federal file.
  • Error 9502
    : For linked submissions only. The IRS rejected the federal return and the state return was dependent on the IRS accepting the federal return.
  • Error 9974
    : Only unlinked submissions can be made. This error occurs if you selected
    Create a federal copy for state only return
    . To correct this error:
    1. Go to
      Organizer
      States
      Common State
      Fed-state Electronic Filing Options
      .
    2. Select
      Federal Copy State Only Opt (Optional)- Federal Copy for state Only Return
      .
    3. Send returns to e-file when they're ready to submit.
    4. Go to the
      Send Return
       screen. Mark only
      State Ready to send
      .
    5. Submit the selected returns as
      State Only
      .
      note
      If you don’t submit this as a
      State Only
       return, the system will reject the return.

This article applies to:

  • Product: ONESOURCE Income Tax
  • Return type: 1040 Individual,1041 Fiduciary
  • Subject: e-file

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