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Federal attachment — e-file rejections

The California Franchise Tax Board (FTB) may reject returns in the following scenarios:

Scenario 1 — Update to federal schema

Regularly, the IRS updates the e-file specifications and revises the schema version. The application issues updates accordingly. If the FTB validates according to an IRS schema version that differs from the one created by the application, the return may be rejected. If you created the electronic file using the most recent version of the application / 1040 and the FTB subsequently rejects it, you may need to wait until the FTB makes the corresponding updates before resubmitting the electronic record.
You may e-file the California return using the
Include/Suppress federal attachment in electronic record (Force)
 field on the
CAELF
 screen, in the
California Electronic Filing
 folder. However, if the federal attachment is needed but missing from the electronic record, the FTB may suspend processing of the return (rather than issue an e-file rejection) until the federal attachment is received.

Scenario 2 - Federal return is suppressed for e-file

If you are not filing the federal return electronically but are still including it as an attachment to the California electronically filed return, it is still necessary to check the federal return for electronic filing schema errors.
  1. On the federal
    ELF
     screen, clear the
    Suppress the creation of: Federal electronic file when only filing a state return
     checkbox.
  2. Clear all ELF Critical diagnostics.
  3. Clear all ELF Error Codes identified as “Schema Failure”.
    1. To view, go to
      File
      ,
      Print Returns
      , then run the ELF error.
    2. Mark the
      Government copy
       checkbox and the related
      Create electronic file
       checkbox.
    3. Leave all other boxes blank.
    4. Select the
      Check E-File
       button.
    5. When the E-File Error Report appears, select the
      Detail
       tab to view the errors in the federal 1040 return.
  4. Once you've cleared all “Schema Failure” errors, go to the federal
    ELF
     screen and mark the
    Suppress the creation of: Federal electronic file
     checkbox.

Scenario 3 — Federal Return doesn't qualify for e-file

If you're unable to clear federal electronic filing Schema Failure errors, the FTB is likely to reject the California return if the federal return is attached. You may still e-file the California return by using the
Include/Suppress federal attachment in electronic record (Force)
 field on the
CAELF
 screen. However, if the federal attachment is required but missing from the electronic record, the FTB may suspend processing of the return (rather than issue an e-file rejection) until the federal attachment is received.
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