• Account Management
  • Update Firm Information
  • Update Addresses
  • Update Login Information
• PPR/ EF Activity
  • Increase PPR Balance
  • Client E-File Status
  • SBBT Funding Status
• Product Information
  • Download Products
  • Order Status
  • Product Licensing
  • Release Dates
• Support
  • Support Home
  • Top Support Topics
  • Newsletters
  • Phone Support

ProSeries Frequently Asked Questions

Why does the status column in the EF Center or EF Clients tab show "duplicate" for one or more returns?

Products Affected:

• ProSeries/1040
• ProSeries Express/1040
• ProSeries Basic/1040

This status is displayed when there are either duplicate Social Security Numbers (SSNs) or duplicate Declaration Control Numbers (DCNs) in the HomeBase EF Center or EF Clients View.

Duplicate SSNs

In order to electronically file a return there can only be one federal return per SSN in the HomeBase EF Center or EF Clients View and one electronically filed extension (Form 4868).

First, check that an SSN wasn't entered on a client's Federal Information Worksheet incorrectly. If there was an SSN data entry error, correct it on the Federal Information Worksheet, then check the HomeBase Form 1040: Individuals view or 1040 tab to see if this resolved the situation.

If there wasn't an SSN data entry error, take the following steps to correct this situation:

1. To easily identify duplicate SSNs in HomeBase, select the Form 1040: Individuals view or 1040 tab, then click the SSN/EIN column heading to sort your client data by SSN.
2. Determine which file with a duplicate SSN you are going to file electronically, and which file(s) with the same SSN you are not going to file electronically.
3. Open the file with the same SSN that you are NOT going to file electronically. On the Federal Information Worksheet, uncheck the Check this box to file the federal return electronically box and the Check this box to file the state return electronically box, to indicate that this return will NOT be filed electronically. Repeat this step for each file with a duplicate SSN that you are NOT going to file electronically. Now only one file with the same SSN should be marked for electronic filing and this situation should be resolved.

Note: This situation can occur if you split a MFJ return to create two MFS returns and you checked the Check this box to file the federal return electronically box and/or Check this box to file the state return electronically box.

Duplicate DCNs

Note: To easily identify duplicate DCNs in HomeBase, select EF Center or EF Clients, click the Return DCN column heading to find federal returns and extensions with duplicate DCNs. Click the First Extension DCN column heading to sort by DCN to find extensions with duplicate DCNs.

The status Return Duplicate DCNin the Status column of the EF Center or EF Clients indicates that at least two returns currently have the same Declaration Control Number (DCN). This is an error situation because each DCN in the EF Center or EF Clients must be unique. You can use either the Correct Duplicate DCNs command or Automatically change the DCN check box to resolve this situation.

Using the Correct Duplicate DCNs command

When returns have the status "Return Duplicate DCN" in the Status column of the EF Center or EF Clients, here's how to use the Correct Duplicate DCNs command to resolve the situation.

Note: The DCNs for federal and state returns that are jointly electronically filed (also known as JELF) are supposed to be the same.

1. In HomeBase, select EF Center or EF Clients, either:
   • Select the returns that have the "Return Duplicate DCN" status, or
   • Don't select any returns.
2. Go to the E-File or E-File/Bank Products menu, select Electronic Filing, then select Correct Duplicate DCNs.
3. In the Correct Duplicate DCNs dialog box:
   • Select Correct the `Duplicate DCN' for ALL returns in the EF Center if you didn't select any returns in the EF Center, or
   • Select Correct the `Duplicate DCN' for the SELECTED returns in the EF Center if you selected returns that have the "Return Duplicate DCN" status.
4. Click OK.
5. If you selected Correct the `Duplicate DCN' for ALL returns in the EF Center and none of the returns has the status "Return Duplicate DCN" in the Status column, the message "There are no returns with a "Duplicate DCN" status." displays. Click OK and the Correct Duplicate DCNs procedure is finished.
6. If you selected Correct the `Duplicate DCN' for the SELECTED returns in the EF Center and none of the selected returns has the status "Return Duplicate DCN" in the Status column, the message "None of the highlighted returns has a "Duplicate DCN" status." Displays Click OK and the Correct Duplicate DCNs procedure is finished.
7. If one or more returns has the status "Return Duplicate DCN" in the Status column, the message " ...of the highlighted returns has a "Duplicate DCN" status. Are you sure you wish to change the DCN for this return?" displays. Click Yes to correct the DCN(s) in the return(s) that the program has identified.
8. When the Correct Duplicate DCNs procedure is finished, the message "ProSeries has finished correcting duplicate DCNs...return was corrected." Displays Click OK and the Correct Duplicate DCNs procedure is finished.

Using the Automatically Change the DCN check box

When returns have the status "Return Duplicate DCN" in the Status column of the EF Center or EF Clients, here's how to use the Automatically Change the DCN check box in the Electronic Filing section of the Federal Information Worksheet to resolve the situation.

1. Open a federal return or extension that has the status "Return Duplicate DCN" in the Status column of the EF Center or EF Clients.
   
   Note: If neither return has been filed, it doesn't matter which return you open.
   
   
2. Scroll down the Federal Information Worksheet to Part IV - Filing Information, then continue to the Declaration Control Number area in the Electronic Filing section.
3. Note the DCN that's shown on the first line of the Declaration Control Number area. Pay particular attention to the numbers that are blue (rather than black).
   Select the To automatically change the DCN, check this box check box. The blue numbers will change to the next available number, which is the number in the DCN counter field in the Electronic Filing section of the Options dialog box.
4. Go to the File menu and select Save Client.
   
5. If one or more state returns are attached to the client's federal return, open each state return.
6. Go to the File menu and select Save Client to save the state return with the new DCN.
7. For each additional client file that has the status "Return Duplicate DCN" in the Status column of the EF Center, repeat step 1 through step 6 until no client files have the status "Return Duplicate DCN".

Multiple Computers and DCNs

If you are preparing returns for electronic filing on more than one standalone computer, you should set each computer to start assigning DCNs from a different point in the range. For example, Computer 1 might start from 10001 and Computer 2 from 15001.

To set the next DCN number to be used:

1. Go to the Tools menu and select Options.
2. Click Electronic Filing on the left.
3. On the right, in the section DCN Counter, change the value and click OK.

Did this information help you? Yes     No Does Not Apply     Comments about this page:   Note: You will not receive a personal response to your comment.