E-Filed CA 540 Return does not always submit correct Apartment # to CA FTB

[jon]

FYI, beware Lacerte E-file does not always submit the correct apartment info to CA FTB.

I recently have client contacted me for address change because she received a notice from CA FTB with incorrect address.

I reviewed the return filed, and discovered that Lacerte submitted the first 5 characters of whatever was entered in the Apartment box in the input screen to FTB, not necessary what appeared on the PDF or paper return of the CA Form 540.

For Example, on the apartment number Input Screen we entered "UNIT 26", CA Paper return / PDF will show "UN 26", however, Lacerte E-file view shows "UNIT2".  Thus my client received a letter from CA FTB incorrectly addressed to "UNIT 2", instead of "UNIT 26". Lucky she received the notice.

WONDERING HOW MANY YEARS HAS IT BEEN SUMMITTED INCORRECTLY TO CA and possibly other TAX AGENCIES.

VERY DISSAPPOINTED.

[George4Tacks]

Lacerte has an expectation of numbers only - No UNIT - No APT - No SPACE - No nuthin' except the numbers. That is why it says Apartment Number

I did run a test in 202, just for fun and found the the 540 picks up the 1st 2 letters of the WORD and then the numbers. The 1040 picks up all the letters and then the numbers.

This may be a recent improvement.  I found this old thread https://proconnect.intuit.com/community/lacerte-tax-discussions/discussion/why-does-apt-not-appear/0...

[jonathan]

I understand what the program dose now. 

Transmitting first 5 characters or whatever is in the input screen is fine, however, the program actually makes an effort to convert the input "UNIT 26" to "UN 26" on paper / PDF version on CA return, but drops the "6" at the end, only transmits "UNIT2" or "UN2" to CA FTB is very misleading.

A diagnostic warning that only first 5 characters of the unit number in the input screen are being transmitted to CA FTB or part of the input is cut off will be helpful.

[George4Tacks]

Post your idea for a program improvement at https://proconnect.intuit.com/community/lacerte-tax-idea-exchange/idb-p/604

Also ask that press F1

[George4Tacks]

Submit any ideas for program change or improvement at https://proconnect.intuit.com/community/lacerte-tax-idea-exchange/idb-p/604

Also add a request the pressing F1 at the Apartment input should clearly indicate what is expected and how it will be handled.