Intuit ProSeries Professional has an optional feature you can turn on that can help prevent e-filing returns when you're not ready to send them. If this optional feature is on and you try to e-file a return before marking it as Ready to EF, you'll receive one of the following errors:
- "Return not transmitted. You chose to "Only Transmit Returns When Status Set to 'Return Ready to EF'."
- You may also see Not Ready as the eSignature Status, like the image below.
Follow these steps to turn this feature on or off:
- From the Tools menu, select Options.
- From the left navigation menu, select Electronic Filing.
- Here you'll see options for:
- Only Transmit Returns when Status is Set to 'Return Ready to EF'.
- Only Transmit Extensions when Status is Set to '1st Extension Ready to EF'.
- Only Transmit Amended Returns when Status is Set to 'Amended Return Ready to EF'.
- Only Transmit Payment Forms when Status is Set to 'Payment Form Ready to EF'.
- Only Transmit Quarterly Estimated Payments when Status is Set to 'Quarter Pmt Ready to EF'.
- Check the boxes to turn the feature on.
- Uncheck the boxes to turn the feature off.
Follow these steps to mark the EF status of a return to Return Ready to EF:
- Open the federal or state return that is complete and ready to be electronically filed.
- From the E-File menu, select Return Ready to EF.
- If Return Ready to EF is grayed out this typically means the return isn't currently marked for e-file.
- A checkmark will now appear next to Return Ready to EF.
- Open the state return, if applicable.
- From the E-File menu, select Return Ready to EF.
- Repeat for each state attached.
- Save and close the return.
- Open the EF Center.
- The Status column will now display Return Ready for EF for all clients using this option.