Problem with filling in IRS Free File Fillable tax form 1040

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[Tex265]

System = Windows 10 64x ver 21H2 (updated thru January)

Browsers = Firefox and Edge. Both current versions, tried each one with Privacy settings at Default settings and with everything turned off. Also Popup Blocker turned off.

Free File Fillable Forms – 2021 Form 1040 on the IRS website

Problem(s) – Created New Account, made several entries into the form to ensure properly working.  The number line entries take, calculate, and save.

The top half of the form (Name, SS#, etc) will take input, but hitting the “Do Math” or “Save” buttons erases all the alpha input.

Also, the alpha input does not carry over to Print Out (PDF screen). But numbers do.

Anyone else have this problem?  Solutions?

I have used Fillable Forms for last 5+ years with no problems until now.

PS: IRS lists Edge and Firefox as compatible browsers.

Windows 10 Pro x64 v22H2 and Windows 7 Pro SP1 x64 (RIP)

• This topic was modified 1 year, 3 months ago by Tex265.

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Have you previously blocked the site, it’s cookies, whatever security they use (Captha, ReCaptha, some Auth extension)?

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No, nothing blocked.

No problem getting into the IRS site. It accepted all input to set up an account, Username, Password, Secondary security.  I can access all forms and completed entries as explained, but 1040 form will not save alpha fields.  Also won’t transfer alpha fields to the print out area though numbers will.

I can log out and log back in, so account is set up and access not a problem.

Windows 10 Pro x64 v22H2 and Windows 7 Pro SP1 x64 (RIP)

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Try installing Chrome and see if it will work correctly with the Chrome browser.

1 user thanked author for this post.

OscarCP

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“Vivaldi” is another chromium-based browser that I understand spies less on people than Chrome is suspect of doing because it is from Google, while Vivaldi is not. It works fine for me. Imports nicely, with no fuss, ones’s links and stuff from Mozilla browsers.  If you want to feel a bit safer from prying eyes, you could try getting those files in a useful form with it. I’ll be curious to know how you resolve this problem with those files, as I shall be dealing soon with doing my annual tax homework, once I get all the tax forms (e.g. W2, 1099, etc.) together to do that.

https://vivaldi.com/blog/vivaldi-browser-vs-google-chrome/

Ex-Windows user (Win. 98, XP, 7); since mid-2017 using also macOS. Presently on Monterey 12.15 & sometimes running also Linux (Mint).

MacBook Pro circa mid-2015, 15" display, with 16GB 1600 GHz DDR3 RAM, 1 TB SSD, a Haswell architecture Intel CPU with 4 Cores and 8 Threads model i7-4870HQ @ 2.50GHz.
Intel Iris Pro GPU with Built-in Bus, VRAM 1.5 GB, Display 2880 x 1800 Retina, 24-Bit color.
macOS Monterey; browsers: Waterfox "Current", Vivaldi and (now and then) Chrome; security apps. Intego AV

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The system will not automatically populate the figure from Schedule E (I have a bit of royalty income) to Form 1040 like it is supposed to . It will not let me enter it manually either. I cannot even complete the Schedule E all the way to the bottom, and cannot fill in Schedule 1 at all (you have to have this form along with Schedule E. I keep getting a circle with a line through it, which as reading the user guide, says that means that it will calculate that line for you and also automatically place the figure on Schedule 1 and also on the appropriate line on Form 1040, but it will not do it and cannot type anything in manually. I spent an hour on the phone with the IRS and they cannot even tell me what the problem is and couldn’t help me. I have checked and triple checked everything I can think of to see where the problem might me, but cannot find anything wrong. I am using the latest version of Google Chrome which IRS lists as compatible. Please help!

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You might wait a bit, it’s early in the filing season and bugs in all of the tax software gets updated A LOT this time of year.

 

Free File Fillable Forms Help | Internal Revenue Service (irs.gov)

Note those fix dates of 2/11?

Susan Bradley Patch Lady

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I had a similar problem with Schedule E of Free File Fillable Forms this year.  Unfortunately, the problem did not become apparent until AFTER I had submitted my return and the IRS rejected it because it claimed the income/loss reported on my Schedule E was different from the income/loss reported on my Schedule 1.  The two numbers are the same in my onscreen (saved) versions, but when I compare what I see in the onscreen Schedule E to what I see when I print the form, some information in the printed Schedule E differs from what I see onscreen.  In the onscreen version of Schedule E, Column A includes incurred expenses with respect to the royalties I reported on the schedule.  Although I did not use or report any income in Columns B and C, the printed version repeats the expenses in Columns B and C!  Presumably, the information in the printed Columns B and C was reported and messed up my return.  I cannot override the glitch and remove the expenses from Columns B and C, and thus far have not been able to re-submit my return.

Windows 10, Firefox

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Do you think that if you get a new 1040 and fill it, it will be possible for you to avoid this problem a second time, now that you, if I understand you correctly, know what caused the problem? It would be really worrying if you couldn’t.

Ex-Windows user (Win. 98, XP, 7); since mid-2017 using also macOS. Presently on Monterey 12.15 & sometimes running also Linux (Mint).

MacBook Pro circa mid-2015, 15" display, with 16GB 1600 GHz DDR3 RAM, 1 TB SSD, a Haswell architecture Intel CPU with 4 Cores and 8 Threads model i7-4870HQ @ 2.50GHz.
Intel Iris Pro GPU with Built-in Bus, VRAM 1.5 GB, Display 2880 x 1800 Retina, 24-Bit color.
macOS Monterey; browsers: Waterfox "Current", Vivaldi and (now and then) Chrome; security apps. Intego AV

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I have this exact same problem with Schedule E.  There is no Help section on the Freefilefillable forms site to even report errors like this.  So, it ends up being impossible to file my taxes electronically unless I pay a company……..

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Same problem here.  It is very frustrating that there is no discernable way to report errors like this.

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freetaxusa.com

HTH/Chuck

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I too am having issues with the IRS free fillable forms, although different from what you describe.  In my case, I’ve entered everything without issue, the forms generate 99% correctly (some of the boxed checked on the forms do not show as checked on the PDFs), and I even submitted (transmitted) my return.  However, I shortly thereafter received a message that my return was ejected due to an error.  Was a very simple error (I included a period after my middle initial on the Proprietor’s Name field on Schedule C).  Easily fixed.  Now, I cannot re-transmit my return.  I can go through all the steps to do so but upon clicking the final TRANSMIT button, I am immediately logged out.  Logging back in, it is quite clear the return was not sent.  Round and round I go here with the same result.  It is almost like the initial error set some switch which disallows transmitting the return again.  It such a switch is set, I would expect editing the return to clear the switch however, it does not.  I can find no way to clear the initial error from tab 3.  This may not be what is holding up the re-transmit but it sure seems like it.  Really don’t want to print and snail mail the return if I can help it but I cannot see a way allowing resubmission.  I did try different browsers, clearing cache, etc, etc.

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Did you ever find a solution? Responding to #2428500. Once corrections are made there is no way to allow resubmission.

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I’m having the exact same problem. Now I’ve missed the farmer’s tax deadline of March 1st. I never received the email saying that my return was accepted or rejected by IRS, just that it was sent. Only when I logged in did it say that my return was rejected…

 

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I also can not re-transmit, I got rejected for a Simple W2 Zip code error, went ahead and fixed the issue, and no when I try to transmit, I get logged out , I have tried multiple browsers, multiple Computers, same result it just logged me out and does not re-transmit.  This is the first time this has happened in like 10 years I have used freefillableforms ,  I am thinking that maybe I will create another account and try it there, if not, going to have to maybe pay for Turbo Tax.

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This may be a solution:  I had just posted ( #2429366 )  the same issue mentioned as other users ( #2428500 ), I went back and doubled checked everything and on each form , I pressed  the “Done with This Form” Button , except on form 1040 which the button is disabled, and  it Re-transmitted.

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Is anyone able to use schedule 8812 and manually input the numbers or are you also not allowed to enter the information?

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Report your problems here using the Contact Us link.  I eventually got a response that my issues were fixed – but after I was able to get my return to take.

https://www.irs.gov/e-file-providers/account-problems-contact-for-free-file-fillable-forms

Windows 10 Pro x64 v22H2 and Windows 7 Pro SP1 x64 (RIP)

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I do not have a solution but I am having the same issues. I also have used the website for several years and have never encountered this before.

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Zip code problem here. Can’t submit due to error

Address information is not complete

zip code is somehow deleted

I put it in again, click save…it deletes!

I have emailed (WIFreeFileCS4@irs.gov) IRS multiple times, no response. Today I got a letter asking if I meant to contact them. But no solution.

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Fixed the problem of zip code not saving. The problem seems to be related to “Other” in the “Foreign Country Name” filed. After reseting this field using the blank line at the very top of the list of countries in the pull down menu the zip code saves correctly.

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Your comment really saved me!! I knew this must be the issue. My autofill entered something in these fields and I tried deleting them but it was set on ‘Other Country’ and wouldn’t let me delete that – only enter some foreign country… I didn’t see the blank field at the top. Is this like an escape room with a secret thing you have to find to file your taxes?

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This worked for me!  Thank you for saving me time and a lot of frustration !

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Hurray! Correcting the Foreign Country Name allowed me to save my zip code! I am so thankful for your help!

I called the IRS tax help line and was told I would have to file by paper and not use the Free Fileable tax form. Ugh.  After two days I found your answer.

Thank you!

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I erroneously put a country in the other countries fields on 1040.  When I try to delete it it opens up a list of foreign countries and won’t let me delete.  How do you do that?

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Vivaldi does not work either.

I like to save my work frequently. I enter my name only, press save, deletes completely.

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The form will erase names and address but keeps the money-entries.

With or without pop-up blocker, tracker and autofill options.

They suck big time.

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page 1 and 2 of 4562 giving me problems this year.  have used freefile for years with no problem.  line 33 will not total lines 30 and 32 (miles our vehicles are used for business).  tried redoing, checked all entries, no fix yet.

also, i know of software issue if filing two 4562 forms, but i can’t even get second form to take page 1 entries.  i know to wait for fix but could that be why it won’t take info??

have scoured irs sight but they do not address this.  thanks for any help      Peg

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I had this exact problem and on Sched C it erased my NAICS code.
For page 1 of the 1040, you need to turn off autofill on Chrome and add in your SSN completely (even a dummy one).
For the dependent line, you need to hit the blue “dependent statement button” and add in ALL info including SSN (which until this year I saved for right until I efiled it).
My problem was fixed after this

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I had the exact same problem – using both Firefox and Safari. (And I have also used freefillableforms without problems in previous years.)

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Update: I just found this email address: helpdesk@freefilealliance.org .  I just sent an email; will report back.

Maybe everyone should email them – they might be jolted into action, if they receive enough complaints.

Thank you.

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Oh – I forgot to add this…

So I was having problems in both Safari and Firefox (both on Mac) with data not being retained (it was not retaining names, or age/blindness check marks).  And I tried all the fixes suggested in the freefillableforms User Guide, to no avail. And, in addition, I was having display problems in Firefox – the box fields were not lining up properly. Then – to add insult to injury – when I tried using their online form for reporting problems, I described the problems, and hit the submit button – and was taken to a page that said “Page not found – Error 404”!!  This happened when I tried submitting the form using Firefox, and also when using Safari!  Crap.

Never had problems in previous years.

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I just had the same problem sending in a problem. I am using Chrome, and I got error message 404 when I submitted my email. In my case, I am only getting one version of form 1116 when I print, but I created two in my return (one for general income and one for passive income). I have always sent in both to the IRS. I’m a first time Free File Fillable tax user, and it may be my last!

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Wow – I just noticed post 2433782! (I had skimmed over it, because I wasn’t using Sched C.)

I filled in dummy SSNs – and presto!  Fixed!  It now will retain data in the name fields and it will retain checkmarks in the age/blindness boxes.

This is using Safari; I am going to go back and try it in Firefox again, too.  (In Firefox, I not only had data retention problems, I also had display issues with entry fields not lining up properly.)

Thank you so much, #2433782!

 

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I cannot fill in name and social security number for various schedules including B and E.In the space for name there is a Green Ampersand.

Anyone have this problem?

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Had the same problem. If you do not fill out all of the information in the names section on the 1040 form, (ex name, social, dependent names and relationships) the form will delete your entries when you click save or do the math. Once you input all fields it will save and should work.

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https://www.irs.gov/e-file-providers/account-problems-contact-for-free-file-fillable-forms

That site says:

This page is for reporting problems you experience creating or accessing a Free File Fillable Forms account

Support extends to accounts created to file current year federal tax return. If your issue involves a Non-Filer account or an account you created for a prior year tax return, your issue is not in scope and you cannot receive support from the contact link on this page.

When you Contact Us with your Free File Fillable Forms account related problem, please fully describe the problem.

Do not send personal information, such as a Social Security Number or a physical address.

We apologize that it may take a few days to research the issue and provide a response. Please be patient.

If your issue is about something other than Free File Fillable Forms account creation/access, perhaps these links will help.

IRS Services Guide PDF

https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p5136.pdf

IRS Secure Access

https://www.irs.gov/individuals/secure-access-how-to-register-for-certain-online-self-help-tools

Free File Fillable Forms Rejected Returns

https://www.irs.gov/filing/individuals/free-file-fillable-forms/search-tip

Susan Bradley Patch Lady

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I am trying to file with my son.  It’s his dad’s year to claim the dependency credit, but he lives with me, and I claim head of household.  My return keeps rejecting.  What am I missing?

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If Dad already efiled and claimed the son the return will bounce back with a failure because your son has already been claimed on his return.

The rejection status should tell you exactly what it’s bouncing back on.  If it’s failing on the dependent it will give a clue that it’s already been claimed elsewhere.

(I’m a CPA and I track down rejections)

Susan Bradley Patch Lady

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Form will not take my zip code! All other info is on form but when I enter my ZIP Code and go to the next page, it automatically deletes.

When I try to e-file, I get an error code stating incomplete address. The ZIP Code has been deleted.

how do I solve this issue and be able to enter my ZIP Code?

 

 

 

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I have same problem. Accidentally entered ‘other’ for Foreign country because could not find USA. Then cannot delete this entry and form does not allow me to enter ZIP code

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I can’t type in a number into Line 38 (Estimated Tax Penalty), and “Do the math” doesn’t work either. In theory, it should take it from Form 2210 Line 19, which you can manually type in a value, which I’ve done. I think the problem is that I didn’t check any boxes in Part II (because none apply), and the general instruction in that case is “<span class=”FFI24″>You aren’t required to figure </span><span class=”FFI24 FFI08″>your penalty because the IRS will figure it and send y</span><span class=”FFI24 FFI08″>ou a bill for any unpaid amount.” But the sentence right after says “</span><span class=”FFI24 FFI08″>If you want to figure </span><span class=”FFI24″>it, you may use Part III as a worksheet and</span><span class=”FFI24″> </span><span class=”FFI24 FFI08″>enter your </span><span class=”FFI24 FFI08″>penalty amount on your tax return.” </span>

But that’s where I’m stuck. I can’t enter the penalty amount on my tax return. I noticed that “Do the math” also doesn’t work on the fields of Form 2210 Part III, probably for the same reason.

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I also have had problems with the IRS site, for example with getting the forms I need, from the 1040 on down. Something that used to be very easy, but when I got the forms for tax year 2020 last year, it was a real adventure in a thick jungle, leopards all around, to figure out the words to use to ask for each form I was trying to get. It took me hours to get everything, sitting at the computer maybe 90% of that time.

So this year I am using paper and the USPS to deliver my completed tax forms, as in the old days. I’ll get the files on line, worse luck, then fill the writable PDF forms in my computer (*), then print them, then mail them. If it takes until the year 3,000 for the understaffed IRS to process them, so be it. Although this time to the IRS, for a change, same as to the USPS, Congress has decided to give the necessary money for them to do their jobs properly, or at least noticeably better. But this means hiring and training a lot of new people. I doubt all this will be ready to help much us taxpayers this year. Probably next. Will see.

(*) If I run into problems like those some have reported in this thread, with filling forms in my computer, then I’ll print the blank forms (of which I’ll have made copies previously, just in case) and fill them by hand. Or at least those fields I could not do well in the computer. This could take some iterations. I hope this is a solution, because one never knows with this until one tries, obviously.

Ex-Windows user (Win. 98, XP, 7); since mid-2017 using also macOS. Presently on Monterey 12.15 & sometimes running also Linux (Mint).

MacBook Pro circa mid-2015, 15" display, with 16GB 1600 GHz DDR3 RAM, 1 TB SSD, a Haswell architecture Intel CPU with 4 Cores and 8 Threads model i7-4870HQ @ 2.50GHz.
Intel Iris Pro GPU with Built-in Bus, VRAM 1.5 GB, Display 2880 x 1800 Retina, 24-Bit color.
macOS Monterey; browsers: Waterfox "Current", Vivaldi and (now and then) Chrome; security apps. Intego AV

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I have also used freefilefillable forms for years and have never had a problem. Whenever I try to Save, Do the Math, or switch between forms, I get signed out and my data isn’t saved. I’ve cleared cache and cookies, have the latest Windows and Chrome, and turned off autofill and ad blocker, none of which I’ve had to do before. None of that has worked.

You need to be able to go back and forth between forms because one form will requred data from another. I emailed Help yesterday (hm, Help & Yesterday, two Beatles songs) but haven’t heard back yet.

Is there something I’m missing?

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My own complaint is far more basic: I go to the IRS Web site to find a form; let’s say it is the f1040.s1. Before, two years ago, I entered in the search feature “f1040.s1” and, voila!, I got the fillable PDF of f1040.s1!

Amazing, no?

But now, since last year actually, is it as complicated as that still?
NOOO!!! Now things are sooo much nicer!!!

To search for this form, one has to enter: “1040 s1” and voila! Or: “form 1040 schedule 1.” Or “f1040 s1 “!!!
Anything would do, except the exact actual name of the form. Amazing!!

And all this extra effort needed to find anything at the IRS (other than the invariable, and relentless “this could not be found” message) is also a truly vigorous mental exercise, good for the brain, trying all sort of things to find f1040.s1 (or any other tax-related file) and getting every time that message, written in friendly red characters, for better visibility!

And to make sure things are challenging and good for mental acuity (if not stability) there are no instructions anywhere with an example of how one asks for an actual file these days. Lots of other things explained in detail but that one? What for? Everyone knows all about this already, right? Er, Right?

Isn’t this real progress?

But it is not unusual in the much “improved” Websites of our “it may be over, it may not be over” pandemic days.
The world has become sooo much more unnecessarily complicated, to the point of incomprehensibility, in just two years and change.

Not just at the IRS.

Ex-Windows user (Win. 98, XP, 7); since mid-2017 using also macOS. Presently on Monterey 12.15 & sometimes running also Linux (Mint).

MacBook Pro circa mid-2015, 15" display, with 16GB 1600 GHz DDR3 RAM, 1 TB SSD, a Haswell architecture Intel CPU with 4 Cores and 8 Threads model i7-4870HQ @ 2.50GHz.
Intel Iris Pro GPU with Built-in Bus, VRAM 1.5 GB, Display 2880 x 1800 Retina, 24-Bit color.
macOS Monterey; browsers: Waterfox "Current", Vivaldi and (now and then) Chrome; security apps. Intego AV

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Why not just type in “1040” ?

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Because the change from typing in the whole name of the form, as it had been for ages, to how it is supposed to be done now was never explained at the revamped IGS site, as I already have mentioned.

It took me almost one very frustrating hour to figure it out all by myself. And, usually, I am a pretty quick study.

And, from experience with doing other things relevant to my business, I have noticed that making things more complicated online seems to be a recent and annoying trend.

Ex-Windows user (Win. 98, XP, 7); since mid-2017 using also macOS. Presently on Monterey 12.15 & sometimes running also Linux (Mint).

MacBook Pro circa mid-2015, 15" display, with 16GB 1600 GHz DDR3 RAM, 1 TB SSD, a Haswell architecture Intel CPU with 4 Cores and 8 Threads model i7-4870HQ @ 2.50GHz.
Intel Iris Pro GPU with Built-in Bus, VRAM 1.5 GB, Display 2880 x 1800 Retina, 24-Bit color.
macOS Monterey; browsers: Waterfox "Current", Vivaldi and (now and then) Chrome; security apps. Intego AV

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That’s interesting.
I have been downloading forms from the IRS site for years and I have never searched for anything but “1040” or “form 1040.” Never the file name.

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How about f1040.s2, or ifort1049.s2, etc?

Oh, that must be it: I am not a genius.

Ex-Windows user (Win. 98, XP, 7); since mid-2017 using also macOS. Presently on Monterey 12.15 & sometimes running also Linux (Mint).

MacBook Pro circa mid-2015, 15" display, with 16GB 1600 GHz DDR3 RAM, 1 TB SSD, a Haswell architecture Intel CPU with 4 Cores and 8 Threads model i7-4870HQ @ 2.50GHz.
Intel Iris Pro GPU with Built-in Bus, VRAM 1.5 GB, Display 2880 x 1800 Retina, 24-Bit color.
macOS Monterey; browsers: Waterfox "Current", Vivaldi and (now and then) Chrome; security apps. Intego AV

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Google 1040 irs form you hit it every time.

Susan Bradley Patch Lady

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Susan, I don’t follow what you mean.

I am referring to getting the many files, with many different names I need to get. For example:

i8995.pdf
f8995.pdf
i8829.pdf
f8829.pdf
f4868.pdf
f1040v.pdf
i1040sc.pdf
f1040sc.pdf
i1040sb.pdf
f1040sb.pdf
f1040sse.pdf
f1040s3.pdf
f1040s2.pdf
f1040s1.pdf
i1040tt.pdf
p334.pdf
f1040.pdf
f1040es.pdf
i1040gi.pdf

Now I know how to do this, after learning it in the hardest imaginable way and wasting a lot of time, because at the new, improved, all-electric IRS Website they really are long on information on just about anything under the Sun, but really short in explaining how to get those files, now that  when searching for those one needs, using their actual names, for example those given above, and as it was the way for ages before last year, these can no longer be found.

Thanks for trying to help.

P.S.: I don’t use tax software or an accountant. I do my own homework, so far OK, with occasional minor errors that get corrected at the IRS.
And I print on paper and mail the forms inside a neat envelope, as certified mail, at my local Post Office.
Never have been audited, or sent to jail for tax fraud, or been inconvenienced in any other way. That is until the IRS “improved” its Website. “Improvement” paid, in part, with MY tax US $$$$ !!!

Ex-Windows user (Win. 98, XP, 7); since mid-2017 using also macOS. Presently on Monterey 12.15 & sometimes running also Linux (Mint).

MacBook Pro circa mid-2015, 15" display, with 16GB 1600 GHz DDR3 RAM, 1 TB SSD, a Haswell architecture Intel CPU with 4 Cores and 8 Threads model i7-4870HQ @ 2.50GHz.
Intel Iris Pro GPU with Built-in Bus, VRAM 1.5 GB, Display 2880 x 1800 Retina, 24-Bit color.
macOS Monterey; browsers: Waterfox "Current", Vivaldi and (now and then) Chrome; security apps. Intego AV

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@OscarCP – I’m not sure I understand what your issues are but just go here:

https://apps.irs.gov/app/picklist/list/formsPublications.html

All the forms are listed (publications, forms, instructions) and you can scroll through them all, OR just use the Find box in conjunction with the 3 “In” options of Product Number, Title, or Revision Date. The default is Product Number so just type in 1040, then click the Find button and you’ll get a complete list of every Pub, Form and Instruction pertaining to Form 1040, and similarly for other forms you want.

It’s been like this for years.

1 user thanked author for this post.

PKCano

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DrBonzo: This is precisely my problem: entering, as I have been doing since just after Cain did Abel in, ft1010 or ft1040.s1, etc. and invariably getting the corresponding writable PDFs of those files, now gets me instead a big WHAAAT? as a result. (And scrolling through the list of forms, that has hundreds of entries arranged in a not very user-friendly way, is not a very convenient way of finding all those files I need.)

It is as if at the IRS they had no idea of what f1040.s1 means. And there is no explanation on the whole new, improved IRS site of how to search for this with this super-ultra improved new way of searching. Or maybe not so much new, but one I had never heard of before and never had any need to know anything about. If you are like me and, like me, were not born knowing these trivial facts, you are toast.

And that, unfortunately, is that.

Ex-Windows user (Win. 98, XP, 7); since mid-2017 using also macOS. Presently on Monterey 12.15 & sometimes running also Linux (Mint).

MacBook Pro circa mid-2015, 15" display, with 16GB 1600 GHz DDR3 RAM, 1 TB SSD, a Haswell architecture Intel CPU with 4 Cores and 8 Threads model i7-4870HQ @ 2.50GHz.
Intel Iris Pro GPU with Built-in Bus, VRAM 1.5 GB, Display 2880 x 1800 Retina, 24-Bit color.
macOS Monterey; browsers: Waterfox "Current", Vivaldi and (now and then) Chrome; security apps. Intego AV

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Well I can’t speak for why your method doesn’t work anymore or why there is apparently no explanation as to why it doesn’t work, other than to say it is, after all, the IRS you’re dealing with.

But I just entered 8995 into the Find box with the Product Number option in the link I posted above and I got 8 entries. So along with suggestions from other posters you do have methods that will enable you to get the forms you want.

2 users thanked author for this post.

PKCano, OscarCP

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DrBonzo: It is more complicated with files with compound names, as those of my two examples, as almost all of those in my list. but, yes, it is the IRS too.

Except that the IRS was not like that before. There were clear instructions and those were easy to follow.

Now there are no instructions at all.

But, as you can see in my first comment, or second, or third, this is not just the IRS, these days. I wonder if it is some long-term effect of the pandemic, or global warming, or Putin, or whatever, but things have become considerably more complicated and involved, and what you get in the end, after all the added hassles, is the same thing as before.

So why all the changes to end up in the same place, only having to work more for it?

That, that, that, that is the real point here.

Ex-Windows user (Win. 98, XP, 7); since mid-2017 using also macOS. Presently on Monterey 12.15 & sometimes running also Linux (Mint).

MacBook Pro circa mid-2015, 15" display, with 16GB 1600 GHz DDR3 RAM, 1 TB SSD, a Haswell architecture Intel CPU with 4 Cores and 8 Threads model i7-4870HQ @ 2.50GHz.
Intel Iris Pro GPU with Built-in Bus, VRAM 1.5 GB, Display 2880 x 1800 Retina, 24-Bit color.
macOS Monterey; browsers: Waterfox "Current", Vivaldi and (now and then) Chrome; security apps. Intego AV

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See the discussion between here #2436566 and here #2437044.

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OscarCP wrote:

And I print on paper and mail the forms inside a neat envelope, as certified mail, at my local Post Office.

Although I support the PO you are making work that cost us (that actually pay) tax dollars. Electronic makes every thing easier. With paper there is a whole bunch of extra work.

🍻

Just because you don't know where you are going doesn't mean any road will get you there.

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wavy: Thanks for your unvarying and most generous support all these decades that I have been sending my returns, on paper, via the USPS. I shall continue with this useful (to me in particular) practice. I am convinced that this country can afford it (*).
Besides, I pay extra to mail those forms!

(*) As it can afford to pay all those pensions to people who, allegedly, “serve” in Congress, starting after being just five years in office, when they get fully vested:

https://foxx.house.gov/legislation/fact-or-fiction-members-and-pensions.htm

https://www.everycrsreport.com/reports/RL30631.html

” By law, the starting amount of a Member’s retirement annuity may not exceed 80% of his or her final salary.“

Ex-Windows user (Win. 98, XP, 7); since mid-2017 using also macOS. Presently on Monterey 12.15 & sometimes running also Linux (Mint).

MacBook Pro circa mid-2015, 15" display, with 16GB 1600 GHz DDR3 RAM, 1 TB SSD, a Haswell architecture Intel CPU with 4 Cores and 8 Threads model i7-4870HQ @ 2.50GHz.
Intel Iris Pro GPU with Built-in Bus, VRAM 1.5 GB, Display 2880 x 1800 Retina, 24-Bit color.
macOS Monterey; browsers: Waterfox "Current", Vivaldi and (now and then) Chrome; security apps. Intego AV

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Gentlemen:  Let’s stay on topic and remember the goal here is to NOT debate paper versus electronic but rather to help people on this site.

It’s a site called “Ask”… not “Debate”.

Thank you for your understanding.

Susan Bradley Patch Lady

1 user thanked author for this post.

OscarCP

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I will likely get deleted again but new egg has $15 tax programs in their shell shock emails. On here comes the big foot of censorship….

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Just because you don't know where you are going doesn't mean any road will get you there.

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Newegg: it has only software for Windows, it seems.

Ex-Windows user (Win. 98, XP, 7); since mid-2017 using also macOS. Presently on Monterey 12.15 & sometimes running also Linux (Mint).

MacBook Pro circa mid-2015, 15" display, with 16GB 1600 GHz DDR3 RAM, 1 TB SSD, a Haswell architecture Intel CPU with 4 Cores and 8 Threads model i7-4870HQ @ 2.50GHz.
Intel Iris Pro GPU with Built-in Bus, VRAM 1.5 GB, Display 2880 x 1800 Retina, 24-Bit color.
macOS Monterey; browsers: Waterfox "Current", Vivaldi and (now and then) Chrome; security apps. Intego AV

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Have you looked at any of these programs? Are they reviewed anywhere?
If so, post the details.

cheers, Paul

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OscarCP wrote:

Newegg: it has only software for Windows, it seems.

🍻

Just because you don't know where you are going doesn't mean any road will get you there.

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So I stand corrected, or rather, the issue has been clarified. When I looked around, it was all about Windows what I found.

Ex-Windows user (Win. 98, XP, 7); since mid-2017 using also macOS. Presently on Monterey 12.15 & sometimes running also Linux (Mint).

MacBook Pro circa mid-2015, 15" display, with 16GB 1600 GHz DDR3 RAM, 1 TB SSD, a Haswell architecture Intel CPU with 4 Cores and 8 Threads model i7-4870HQ @ 2.50GHz.
Intel Iris Pro GPU with Built-in Bus, VRAM 1.5 GB, Display 2880 x 1800 Retina, 24-Bit color.
macOS Monterey; browsers: Waterfox "Current", Vivaldi and (now and then) Chrome; security apps. Intego AV

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I use the above and have for 3 years. I was using turbo tax. Neither are ‘great’ in the ‘help’ category but good enough. If I had ‘tricky’ taxes to do I would hire an accountant.

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Just because you don't know where you are going doesn't mean any road will get you there.

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My problem is with Form 8283, noncash charitable contributions.  I have checked the vehicle donation box in line 1 A, entered the VIN below the checkmark, and input the purchase date of the vehicle in the required mm/yyyy format.

The form prints out with the VIN present, but the purchase date is changed to “VARIOUS.”  Worse, my return was rejected by the IRS because they say I DIDN’T input the VIN, and I must file my return manually with a Form 1098-C from the donee.  Used MacOS 12.2.1, and tried with both Firefox 98.0.2 and Chrome 100.0.4896.60.

I submitted my problem on the Free Fillable Forms Support page, but when I clicked “Send message,” the form simply cleared.  I tried twice with the same result.  And I received no automated email from the IRS indicating that my message had been received, so…?

I have just tried emailing helpdesk@freefilealliance.org, as suggested above.  Any other suggestions?

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I’m a CPA in real life.  Form 8283 is not a typical form for an easy tax return. I would honestly recommend purchasing tax preparation software or visiting a local accountant. This site is turning out to be the only support venue and we’re not official at all.

Bottom line – my advice – you don’t have an easy return, the free form site is NOT reliable. I would recommend an accountant or buying tax filing software.

Susan Bradley Patch Lady

2 users thanked author for this post.

wavy, OscarCP

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Thanks!  I’m actually a CPA as well, but not a tax accountant.  I have not had any trouble with Free File in the past.  Between the Free File issues and a missing stimulus payment for my son, the IRS has really been a pain the item for me this year.  I’m wary of mailing a manual return, but it’s that or purchasing software I guess.  And yes, this is the only forum I’ve found at all.  You are very much appreciated!

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If you send your return via US Postal Service make sure you use Certified Mail. You’ll pay postage plus a $3.75 fee. There are extra options you can buy for extra fees (return receipt, etc.). And you’ll get a tracking number. Keep the Certified Mail receipt and make sure you get it stamped with a postmark. Track it on-line and when it says it’s been delivered save the web page as a pdf file and print a hard copy of it; that will constitute proof of delivery to the IRS.

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DrBonzo wrote: “If you send your return via US Postal Service make sure you use Certified Mail.”

Definitely. And tick off the box at the back of the green card with one’s name and address at the front that one attaches to the envelope with the forms inside, to ask that it be signed when your paperwork is received at the IRS by an “Agent” and then returned to you. Also keep on looking, now and then, in your checking account ledger, to make sure your payments got cashed by the IRS, meaning that your return is being/has been processed. That takes some time to happen after mailing the tax forms and checks– months sometimes.

The returns’ processing is quite slow, particularly with paper, because the IRS is understaffed. Recently it got more money from Congress in the Budget, part of which is going to go into hiring more people, but doing that and training those new employees is not going to happen as soon as they get that extra money.

Ex-Windows user (Win. 98, XP, 7); since mid-2017 using also macOS. Presently on Monterey 12.15 & sometimes running also Linux (Mint).

MacBook Pro circa mid-2015, 15" display, with 16GB 1600 GHz DDR3 RAM, 1 TB SSD, a Haswell architecture Intel CPU with 4 Cores and 8 Threads model i7-4870HQ @ 2.50GHz.
Intel Iris Pro GPU with Built-in Bus, VRAM 1.5 GB, Display 2880 x 1800 Retina, 24-Bit color.
macOS Monterey; browsers: Waterfox "Current", Vivaldi and (now and then) Chrome; security apps. Intego AV

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those little green cards get shredded all the time use registered mail

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Just because you don't know where you are going doesn't mean any road will get you there.

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wavy: “those little green cards get shredded all the time use registered mail”

You mean they come back shredded, or that you shred them once they come back?

If the first, then sorry to learn about your problem. It is really strange. There might be either something wrong going on at your Post Office, or involving, somehow, your mail box.

I never have had the green confirmation card coming back shredded or damaged. And I often mail things I need a confirmation of having being received, as certified mail.

Ex-Windows user (Win. 98, XP, 7); since mid-2017 using also macOS. Presently on Monterey 12.15 & sometimes running also Linux (Mint).

MacBook Pro circa mid-2015, 15" display, with 16GB 1600 GHz DDR3 RAM, 1 TB SSD, a Haswell architecture Intel CPU with 4 Cores and 8 Threads model i7-4870HQ @ 2.50GHz.
Intel Iris Pro GPU with Built-in Bus, VRAM 1.5 GB, Display 2880 x 1800 Retina, 24-Bit color.
macOS Monterey; browsers: Waterfox "Current", Vivaldi and (now and then) Chrome; security apps. Intego AV

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Oscar
I mean the cards are not really secured to the mailed item. When they go through the mail processing equipment they do not always stay with their charge. Perhaps shredding was too an emotional term, but the idea is the same; the card does not get to where it was meant to go. They do not get reunited if this happens in reality. I know because I was there 😑

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Just because you don't know where you are going doesn't mean any road will get you there.

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At my post office the cards are first glued to the envelope using the stickum in them, then secured further with two lengths of sticky tape, one along each side, above the stickum flaps. Maybe that is why they come back quite OK. But I have never had, as far back as I can remember, a card coming back badly damaged, even when mailing certified items from other Post Offices. (Could it be you are hexed, wavy?)

Ex-Windows user (Win. 98, XP, 7); since mid-2017 using also macOS. Presently on Monterey 12.15 & sometimes running also Linux (Mint).

MacBook Pro circa mid-2015, 15" display, with 16GB 1600 GHz DDR3 RAM, 1 TB SSD, a Haswell architecture Intel CPU with 4 Cores and 8 Threads model i7-4870HQ @ 2.50GHz.
Intel Iris Pro GPU with Built-in Bus, VRAM 1.5 GB, Display 2880 x 1800 Retina, 24-Bit color.
macOS Monterey; browsers: Waterfox "Current", Vivaldi and (now and then) Chrome; security apps. Intego AV

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lucky you

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Just because you don't know where you are going doesn't mean any road will get you there.

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My account problem is with Form 1099-R, Payer EIN
Rejection notices indicate that the Payer EIN must match data in the e-File database – Business Rule F1099R-502-02.  As “&” symbol is not recognized by IRS, should “And” be used in its place? 1099-R that was received has an “&”.  I am in possession of Notice of Employer Identification Number (1995) which clearly uses “&” in the name.  I have withheld using the “&” and still get a rejection notice.  I have tried several different ways to clear this rejection issue but have been unsuccessful.  Are there other options to clear this rejection issue?  There are no Federal income taxes withheld on the 1099-R.

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I would also like to add that paper takes much more resources than an Efile for most returns so in using efile we are saving our selves $$ and giving more resources to the IRS to go after the BIG baddies.

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Just because you don't know where you are going doesn't mean any road will get you there.

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Form 8959 does not work properly either.  Cannot “enter” anything into Line 5.

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Did you figure out the problem here? I am having it, too.

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I figured it out. It is because you did not enter a filing status at the top of page 1 of Form 1040.

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Does anyone know how to unselect or delete a selection from a drop down list?  When I opened the dropdown list for 1040 line 6b, I accidentally clicked on category “D” (divorced). None of the categories apply to me and I cannot figure out how to delete the selection.

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I saw this discussion pop up in the recent list and thought maybe someone might have an idea on my issue. It isn’t about the software, but about actually filing in the US/NY State, and if this isn’t the right place, please feel free to move it.

I have used an IRS free filing software for the last two years with no issues, thankfully, and got our refund this year in about 2 weeks.

My question is regarding filing/mailing the NYS taxes – which I still do on paper. I completed the forms and mailed them to Albany to the tax office with a tracking number on March 1 – and I could see the progress for several days until March 6 – when the tracking stopped updating. It still says that the item is still on the way and will be late – but it is now 17 days late and I wasn’t sure what to do in the event that the PO lost it, or someone didn’t do a final scan or something.

I tried calling the NYS tax office and they didn’t have any record of it. So – if anyone might know – how long should I wait until I “decide” it is lost or not delivered? And should I just send a photocopy of the whole thing with an explanation and copy of the tracking info to prove when it was mailed and where. I don’t want to do anything that will complicate matters, and I do have the tracking as proof it was mailed and in the hands of the USPS on March 1.

Any thoughts would be appreciated, and again – if this isn’t a proper place for this question, I’ll understand.

Thanks!!

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Have you contacted the USPS. Perhaps they could shed some light on it’s whereabouts.
Do you live near a Post Office. That might be the best way to talk to a real person.

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Thanks! I’ve tried that and all they say is the tracking shows that it is still in route. And I could have driven there and hand delivered it to the NYS tax dept in 2 hours – not 17 days, so the USPS hasn’t been much help. I am planning to put in a claim for reimbursement for the tracking fee if I do need to resend it.

I just wondered if there was some process for resending lost returns. I’m sure mine hasn’t been the only one in all these years.

Thanks for the help!

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The New York post office routing is HORRIBLE.  We order stuff from ebay that goes through NY and it gets lost in a black hole for several weeks.  And then it just shows up.

Susan Bradley Patch Lady

1 user thanked author for this post.

LHiggins

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BTW you can resend.  If an agency receives a duplicate they will ignore it.

Susan Bradley Patch Lady

1 user thanked author for this post.

LHiggins

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Hi Susan,

I did finally manage to get ahold of someone in the tax dept and he looked it up  and they did have it! But the tracking still shows it as “late”. The fellow at the NYS tax dept said that they probably just didn’t scan it. Hopefully he was right and it is there. No refund involved and no payment either, so no other way to track it.

And yes – our PO is pretty awful. Takes more than a week to get mail delivered locally and often to the wrong house. Someone we know had their mail being delivered to the wrong house – same number as she had but a different street – and when she finally tracked it down – THAT person had just kept it all and never took it back to the PO. And the PO was very unhelpful in getting the mail to the right place.

Thanks for the replies!

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Beware of online TAX return software and TAX report hackers

https://www.askwoody.com/forums/topic/irs-authorized-efile-com-tax-return-software-caught-serving-js-malware/

https://www.askwoody.com/forums/topic/microsoft-threat-actors-strive-to-cause-tax-day-headaches/

1 user thanked author for this post.

LHiggins

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