Best practice to file a short year return
Don't create the short year 2025 binder by copying the full year 2024 binder because the Organizer of a copied binder keeps the e-file statuses of the original binder. This is useful when amending but not when filing for a short year. Follow these steps to create a binder that has he correct beginning balance sheet without an e-file history or attached PDFs.
If you are filing short year 2025 federal and state returns from a 2024 binder, you have to e-file and ensure there are no errors. The IRS must accept them before they shut down e-filing in December 2024. This applies to both federal and state returns. If there are returns that are not accepted before the IRS shuts down, the preparer must re-create them in a 2024 binder. If the short return is also a consolidation filing, it will take some time.
- Copy the existing 2023 binder. Do not check any boxes under theFederalorStateheadings in the middle column of the Copy Binder dialogue.
- Export the WTB by account out of the binder that contains the ending balances that will be beginning balances for the short year return.
- Delete all accounts except balance sheet accounts.
- Delete all columns exceptBalance after Tax Reclass.
- Import the modified WTB into the TAS Balances screen of the 2023 copy.
- Compute it, then check to be sureWTB Balances after Tax Reclasslooks okay.
- SelectUpdate Organizer with Federal TASand compute again.
- Roll over the 2023 copy to a new 2024 binder.
- Complete the 2025 short period return in the new 2024 binder.
