Resources for troubleshooting error codes and reject codes / business rules

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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.

We offer multiple resources to help you troubleshoot electronic filing error codes and reject codes / business rules.

Resources

  • E-File Help Center - You can access detailed information to help you electronically file your clients' returns - from applying to e-file, setting up UltraTax CS for e-filing, and preparing e-files to transmitting and tracking e-files and resolving errors.
  • To determine why the return was rejected - In the Electronic Filing Status dialog, click the Details Details button button in the Status column for a client, or click the plus sign next to a client and then click the Details button in the Comment column. The Details dialog that opens provides information (including the relevant reject codes / business rules) about all of the errors in the return and a link to the IRS Common Error Reject Codes (ERCs) for Individual Tax Returns & Suggested Solutions page.
  • To troubleshoot specific error codes and reject codes / business rules - You can search for information about the relevant error code or reject code / business rule in one of the following resources.

  • To view the electronic file sent to the taxing agency - Click the View View button next to a client in the status list to open the electronic file. Note that the electronic file for most applications is in XML format and may not open if the .XML file extension is not associated with a reader, such as Internet Explorer.

Video overview

The following video outlines the processes described in the table below.

Tips for troubleshooting Modernized e-File (MeF) rejections

The table lists key words that may help you understand XML validation errors.

Keywords used in reject codes Explanation Resolution
Database validation error

If this is the only error you receive, these keywords essentially indicate a Master File rejection and do not indicate a calculation error. The reject code indicates a discrepancy between the client information on the form and the information that the IRS has on record (such as the taxpayer's tax year, entity type, and/or name).

In addition, this can indicate that the ERO did not apply to electronically file the return type in the initial application to participate in the IRS e-file program.

Verify that all data is correct. For example, if the error states that the taxpayer's EIN and name control do not match, verify the EIN and name control.

If necessary, call the IRS to determine what information was entered incorrectly and to determine if the IRS can revise the Master File.

For non-1040 clients, call the IRS at 800-829-4933.

If you did not prepare the prior-year return, an officer or partnership representative must call the IRS.

If the error indicates that the ERO's "EFIN must be valid and in accepted status," the ERO must contact the IRS at 866-255-0654 to add the return type to the electronic registration.

Unexpected [child element…] / Expected: { } These keywords indicate the IRS's or state's electronic file processor discovered a missing entry or out-of-sequence entry. The error lists the expected or missing items.

Expected and unexpected items have field descriptions that indicate the items that are out of sequence.

Review the return diagnostic messages and the form location of the unexpected items to determine where the expected items should be entered, identify the correct sequence, and determine the missing item based on the sequence.

These keywords are often triggered by an invalid address entry or a statement line-item amount that does not have a corresponding description, or vice versa; note that this may include entering a zero.

Element data is incomplete / Expected: { } These keywords are usually synonymous with the previous unexpected items rejection; the expected items are missing and must be entered. Review the return diagnostic messages and locate the description for the expected field, and verify that an entry exists in the field; note that this may include entering a zero.
Violates MinInclusive constraint: 0

These keywords indicate that the tax authority established rules about the data that can be entered in a field on a return; the lowest value that the tax authority accepts is zero or positive values.

This is generally triggered when the tax authority expects a gross number in a field (such as apportionment factors) but a negative number is entered.

Replace the negative number with a positive number; note that this may include entering a zero.
Violates enumeration constraint of…

These keywords indicate that the tax authority specified an enumerated group of values that can be entered in the field.

For example, in a field that requires the state in which corporate books are located, the accepted list of entries would include only the list of standard state postal codes.

The list of acceptable values is generally included in the rejection text.

Verify that all enumerated values were entered correctly. For example, verify that "IN" for Indiana was not incorrectly entered as "IK."

Returns with noncalculating forms are particularly susceptible to this type of rejection.

Value failed to parse / error parsing element with value { }

Similar to the previous error, these keywords indicate that the entry in the field does not match the tax authority's prescribed data type.

For example, this error triggers if a decimal number is required for an apportionment percentage field, but a word is entered instead.

Identify and locate the referenced field, and verify that the type of entry is correct. For example, verify that letters are not entered in the ZIP code field.
Element { } cannot be empty according to the Schema

The tax authority determines the schema, which is the standard for electronic filing.

These keywords indicate that a specific field must contain data to electronically file the return.

Use the field description to locate the field that is missing data, and enter data in the corresponding input screen field; note that this may include entering a zero.

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