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ProSeries Frequently Asked Questions

How do I mark a return as ready to electronically file?

Products Affected:

• ProSeries/1040
• ProSeries Express/1040

In Tax Year 2006, we added the ability for you to mark a return as Return Ready to EF. This option allows you to quickly identify returns or extensions that are ready to be electronically filed from other returns that are still being processed. Federal and state returns are marked separately for more flexibility.

To mark the EF status of a return to Return Ready to EF, follow these steps:

1. Open the federal or state return that is complete and ready to be electronically filed.
2. Go to the E-File or E-File/Bank Products menu and select Return Ready to EF. A check mark will now appear next to Return Ready to EF. Reminder, all federal and state returns must be marked Return Ready to EF separately.
3. Save and close the return. In HomeBase, select EF Center or EF Clients and the Status column will now display Return Ready for EF for all clients using this option. If you want to quickly identify all the clients that are marked as Return Ready to EF, sort the Status column in HomeBase.

Note: If the Return Ready to EF selection is grayed out, open the Federal Information Worksheet, scroll down to Part VI, and check the File federal return electronically box.

The Return Ready to EF option can be used to control which returns can be transmitted and assist in the elimination of accidentally transmitting incomplete returns. If you want the program to allow only the transmission of returns that have the EF status of Return Ready to EF, edit your electronic filing options.

To set the Return Ready to EF option, follow these steps: 

Note: On a network you will need to complete these steps at the ProSeries Admin workstation.

1. Go to the Tools menu and select Options.
2. In the Options dialog box, click Electronic Filing on the left side.
3. In the Electronic Filing dialog box, under the Conversion/Transmission Options section, check the Only Transmit Returns when Status is Set to "Return Ready to EF" and Only Transmit Extensions when Status is Set to 1st Extension Ready to EF boxes. (If you do not want to use this option, uncheck these boxes.)
4. Click OK. This option is now active. If you attempt to e-file a return that has not been marked Return Ready to EF, the conversion will fail and you will not be able to successfully transmit the return.

Note: This option can also be activated via the ProSeries Options Setup Wizard. In some cases, this option may have unintentionally been activated during installation. If this option is activated and you wish to disable it, follow the steps above and uncheck the boxes identified in step three.

Additional Information

• For more information, please see the Program Help or User's Guide in the Help Center of your ProSeries software.

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