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Filing

Prepare electronic returns (including batch processing)

Do the following to ensure that you've entered all data specifically required for electronic returns and to create the electronic file for 1 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. Select
    View
     then
    Diagnostics
     to review the diagnostic messages in the
    Federal Diagnostics
     window. Select any item displayed in the window to open the corresponding screen to address the diagnostic message. Verify that you've cleared all Critical and ELF Critical diagnostic messages and have reviewed the FYI diagnostic messages and then close the
    Federal Diagnostics
     window.
  3. Select the
    Electronic Filing
     folder to open the
    ELF
     screen.
  4. Complete the applicable signer's
    User ID
     and
    PIN
     fields or select the applicable website signers on the
    ELF
     screen.
    note
    • If you use the Service Provider Designation option, review the text in the Service Provider Designation section on the
      ELF
       screen for information about the Department of Labor (DOL) requirements for filing returns using this option.
    • The User ID and PIN should be the final data entry before you create the electronic file. If you enter data on any other input screen after you enter the User ID and PIN, UltraTax CS automatically deletes the data in the
      User ID
       field and the
      PIN
       field.
  5. Select
    File
     then
    Print Returns
     or select
    Print
     to open the
    Print Returns
     window.
  6. Mark the
    Government copy
     and the
    Create electronic file
     checkboxes.
    note
    • 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
       window:
      • To check for errors without creating the electronic file, select
        Check E-File
        .
      • To check for errors and create the electronic file, select
        E-File
        .
    • If you use a third-party application vendor to transmit returns, mark the
      Create 3rd Party Efile
       checkbox to create the electronic file. The third-party vendor is responsible for checking for errors.
    • If you selected
      Benefit Plans (EZ)
       as the type of entity in the
      Client Properties
       window, UltraTax CS won't create an electronic file. Form 5500-EZ needs to be submitted on paper to the Internal Revenue Service.
  7. To create electronic files for multiple clients at the same time, select
    Clients
     and select the appropriate clients.
  8. Select
    Preview
     to view the return on screen, or select
    Print
     (or
    E-File
    ). When you select
    Preview
     or
    Print
    , UltraTax CS checks for errors in the electronic file.
    note
    You'll need to select
    Print
     or
    E-File
     in the
    Print Returns
     window to create the electronic file. If you select
    Print Preview
     on the toolbar or select
    Check E-File
     or
    Preview
     in the
    Print Returns
     window, UltraTax CS doesn't generate the electronic file.
    note
    • When UltraTax CS creates electronic files, the application automatically deletes any untransmitted electronic files previously created for the selected clients.
    • If you use a third-party application vendor to transmit 5500 returns, UltraTax CS places the electronic file in the location you specified in the
      Setup
      ,
      User Preferences
      , then
      File Locations
       tab.
    • If you use a third-party application vendor to transmit 5500 returns, UltraTax CS creates the electronic file without checking for errors when you print the return. The third-party application vendor checks for errors.
    • The Department of Labor (DOL) doesn't require any additional paper forms be filed when electronically filing 5500 returns.

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