Preparing 1065 electronic returns (including batch processing)

Show expandable text

New (tax) year, new help!

Fixed Assets and UltraTax CS 2023 help is now on Help and Support. We're still moving articles, but you can find most content for the 2023 tax year there. Continue using the Help & How-To Center for tax years 2022 and older.

Follow this procedure to ensure you have entered all data specifically required for electronic partnership returns and to create the electronic file for one client or for multiple clients (batch processing).

  1. Enter the client's tax data as usual, making sure you adhere to the guidelines for entering data.
  2. Click the Electronic Filing folder to open Screen ELF or Screen ELFFP.
  3. Enter X in the File this return electronically field. For Form 8865 returns, skip to step 8.
  4. Complete the Signature date of partner signing return field. Note that the IRS requires completion of this field. If you selected the When Form 8879 (etc.) signature date(s) (Preparer and/or Client) are not entered: use current date option in the Setup > Office Configuration > Print Options tab, UltraTax CS uses the current date in the electronic file. Enter a date in this field to use a date other than the current date.
  5. If you use the Practitioner PIN option to electronically sign the return, enter the Personal Identification Number (PIN) information in Screen ELF. If you use the scanned Form 8453 option, leave these fields blank.
  6. To attach the Form 8865 electronic files, signed Form 8453-PE, and any other required PDF attachments to the electronic file, choose Edit > Electronic Filing Attachments.
  7. If desired, Thomson Reuters can send the client an email notification on your behalf when the federal and state (if applicable) returns and extensions are accepted. You must select this option in the client's return before you create the electronic file. For information about how to configure a client to have UltraTax CS send an acceptance email notification, see Configuring email notifications when electronically filed returns and extensions are accepted.
  8. Choose View > Diagnostics to review the diagnostic messages in the Federal Diagnostics window. Click any item displayed in the window to open the corresponding screen to address the diagnostic message. Verify that you have cleared the Critical and ELF Critical diagnostic messages and have reviewed the FYI diagnostic messages and then close the Federal Diagnostics window.
  9. By default, the forms that print in the government collation include only the forms required to be submitted to the taxing authority when you file an electronic return. To modify this collation, choose Setup > 1065 Partnership to open the 1065 Product Information dialog. Then, click the desired tab (Federal or state), and click the Tax Return button to modify the print collation for all electronic returns. For information about editing these collations, see Customizing the print collation for returns filed electronically. Thomson Reuters strongly recommends that you use the default collation. This will not affect which forms are included in the electronic file.
  10. When you create the federal electronic file, UltraTax CS automatically creates the state electronic file, if appropriate. You can suppress the creation of the state electronic file and file a paper return for the state.

    Notes

    • For state electronic filing information, refer to the State Electronic Filing Guide on our website.
    • With the exception of Portable Document Format (PDF) attachments for electronic files, the IRS will not permit you to submit additional paperwork to the taxing authority.
  11. Choose File > Print Returns or click the Print Returns Print button button to open the Print Returns dialog.
  12. Mark the Government copy and the Create electronic file checkboxes.

    Notes

    • To create the electronic file for the return or check the return for electronic filing errors without printing forms, mark only the Government copy and Create electronic file checkboxes and leave the Paper checkbox unmarked in the Print Returns dialog.
    • If you use a third-party application vendor to transmit returns, mark the Create electronic file (for 3rd Party) checkbox to create the electronic file. The third-party vendor is responsible for checking for errors.
  13. Click the Options button, and verify that the appropriate federal and any state checkboxes are marked.

    Note: If you are creating an electronic file for only FinCEN Form 114, Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBAR), clear the Federal and any state checkboxes, and only mark the Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FinCEN Form 114) checkbox.

  14. To create electronic files for multiple clients at the same time, click the Clients button and select the appropriate clients.
  15. Click the Preview button to view the return on screen, or click the Print (or E-File) button. When you click the Preview or Print button, UltraTax CS checks for errors in the electronic file.

    Note: You must click the Print or E-File button in the Print Returns dialog to create the electronic file. If you click the Print Preview button in the toolbar, mark the Print Selected Forms checkbox in the Print Returns dialog, or click the Preview or Check E-File button in the Print Returns dialog, UltraTax CS does not generate the electronic file.

Notes

  • When UltraTax CS creates electronic files, the application automatically deletes any previously created, untransmitted electronic files for a client.
  • If you use a third-party application vendor to transmit 1065 returns, UltraTax CS places the electronic file in the location you specified in the Setup > User Preferences > File Locations tab. See Changing the location of electronic files for third-party application vendor transmissions for more information.
  • If you use a third-party application vendor as your transmitter, UltraTax CS creates the electronic file without checking for errors when you print the return. The third-party application vendor checks for errors in these returns.

For information about resolving electronic filing errors and rejections, see the E-File Help Center > Resolving E-File Errors > 1065 Partnerships page.

Related topic: Creating the 1065 electronic file and correcting errors overview

Was this article helpful?

Thank you for the feedback!