Preparing 1040 federal extensions for electronic filing

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To prepare an electronic 1040 federal extension, do the following:

  1. Enter the client's tax data as necessary, making sure you adhere to the guidelines for entering data.
  2. In the folders block, click the Payments folder, then click the Ext tab to open Screen Ext.
  3. In the Extension Information section, select the extension you want to generate from the Calculate extension field.
  4. Click the Electronic Filing folder, and then click the ELF tab to open Screen ELF.
  5. In the Extension Information section, select the appropriate extension from the drop-down list for the File extension electronically field.
  6. To request an electronic funds withdrawal to pay a balance due extension or an estimated tax payment, see Paying a balance due extension via EFW.
  7. Click the PIN tab and enter the Personal Identification Number (PIN) information.

    Unless the client is filing Form 4868 or Form 2350 without an electronic funds withdrawal, the following PIN information is required when electronically filing federal extensions: ERO PIN, Taxpayer PIN, and Spouse PIN (if applicable). You can use either the Practitioner PIN or the Self-Select PIN for an electronic Form 4868 extension with electronic funds withdrawal.

  8. Choose File > Print Extensions to open the Print Extensions dialog.
  9. Mark the Create electronic file checkbox.
  10. Click the Options button to open the Extension Print Options dialog, and click the Extension Print Options tab.
  11. In the Which group box, click the appropriate option to generate the desired federal extension.
  12. Click OK to return to the Print Extensions dialog.
  13. Click the Check E-File button to view the extension on screen and check for electronic filing errors, or click the E-File button to check for electronic filing errors and to create the electronic file. The electronic file is created only when you click the Print button.

Notes

  • UltraTax CS defaults to the previous extension print selection, so you may need to reset your extension print options. If you are prompted that “The selected clients will not be printed because their entity does not support the extension selected” when you print or create an electronic extension, choose File > Print Extensions, mark the Create electronic file checkbox, click the Options button, click the Extension Print Options tab, and confirm that the First extension option is selected in the Which group box.
  • You should reset your extension print options to First extension after you print or create a second extension.

For information about resolving electronic filing extension errors and rejections, see the E-File Help Center > Resolving E-File Errors > 1040 Individual page.

Note: Do not file a copy of an extension with the return electronic file. The IRS does not provide the electronic file specifications necessary to do so. Also, the Form 4868 instructions, Page 2 state, "Do not attach a copy of Form 4868 to your return."

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