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

1. In the desired return, click the Return folder, and then click the ELF tab.
2. Enter X in the File this return electronically field.

3. Complete the Signature date field.

   Note: This field is mandatory if you use the Practitioner Personal Identification Number (PIN) option to electronically sign the return. If you select the Use current date option in the When Form 8879 (etc.) signature date(s) are not entered field in the Setup > Office Configuration > Print Options tab, you do not need to complete the Signature date field. UltraTax CS prints the current date on Form 8879 and includes the form in the electronic file.

4. If you use the Practitioner PIN option to electronically sign the return, enter the PIN information in Screen ELF. If you use the scanned Form 8453 option, leave this field blank.
5. 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 all Critical and ELF Critical diagnostic messages and have reviewed the FYI diagnostic messages and then close the Federal Diagnostics window.
6. If desired, Thomson Reuters can send the client an email notification on your behalf when the federal returns are accepted. To do so, complete the E-mail address field in Screen Contact in the General folder, and then enter X in the Email notification when electronic file is accepted by taxing agency field in Screen ELF in the Return folder.
7. Choose File > Print Returns or click the Print button to open the Print Returns dialog.
8. By default, the government collation includes only the forms required to be submitted to the taxing authority when you file an electronic return. To modify these collations, choose Setup > 2290 Heavy Vehicle Use Tax to open the 2290 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.
9. Mark the Government copy and the Create electronic file checkboxes.

   Notes

   • To create the return or check the return for electronic filing errors without printing forms, mark only the Government copy and Create electronic file checkboxes in the Print Returns dialog.
     • To check for errors without creating the electronic file, click the Check E-File button.
     • To check for errors and create the electronic file, click the E-File button.
   • 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.
10. Click the Options button, and verify that the appropriate checkboxes are marked.
11. To create electronic files for multiple clients at the same time, click the Clients button and select the appropriate clients.
12. 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. Clicking the Print Preview button in the toolbar or clicking the Preview button in the Print Returns dialog does not generate the electronic file.

For information about resolving electronic filing errors and rejections, see the E-File Help Center > Resolving E-File Errors > 2290 page.

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