How to resolve Lacerte diagnostic ref. 6041 - No state employer ID number on W-2

This article will help resolve following e-file critical diagnostic:

• e-file: Form W-2 #X: e-file state identification number is missing. (ref. #6041)

Lacerte will automatically pre-fill all states in Employer state ID no. (Ctrl+E if multi-state W-2) for all W-2's entered in the return. This diagnostic will trigger if the states that don't apply to one W-2, are left without a value in this field. 

• If the return has a non-taxing state (TX, FL, NV etc.) on the W-2, make sure that it isn't listed in Screen 1, Client Information. 
• Make sure the W-2 input is the same as the physical W-2.  If the state EIN has N/A, enter N/A in the state EIN field.

To resolve the diagnostic:

1. Go to Screen 10, Wages, Salaries, Tips.
2. Hold down Ctrl+E in Employer state ID no. (Ctrl+E if multi-state W-2) under the Employer Information (MANDATORY for e-file) section.
3. If there's no state or local withholdings:
   1. Select the state abbreviation with no corresponding withholding.
   2. Select the Del button to delete each line that has a state abbreviation.

      

4. If there are state or local withholdings:
   1. Make sure that all states that have withholdings are present and have state ID numbers.
   2. If no state ID number was given, contact the employer to obtain the correct state ID.
   3. If no state ID can be obtained, an entry of the Federal EIN will clear the diagnostic, but doesn't guarantee acceptance by the taxing authority.
5. Scroll down to the Electronic Filing (W-2 State/Local) section.
6. Make sure that all states listed in this section have state abbreviations and ID numbers associated with them.
   • It isn't necessary to use the overrides in this section. Entries in the Wages and State and Local sections are generally sufficient.
7. Review all W-2s on Screen 10, Wages, Salaries, Tips. Sometimes the W-2 with the missing state identification number isn't the one listed in the diagnostic.