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Cannot file return online after indicating I will file a 3520 form on my Form 8938 in Turbotax?

Forum|Forum|2 years ago
October 12, 2023
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I am doing my 2022 tax returns in turbo tax (have an extension). My father passed away and I received proceeds from his inheritance, in 2022, that I intend to report on From 3520. I also have to file Form 8938 as I have some foreign accounts of my own that I include with my tax return.

On the Form 8938, there is a section that asks if I am also filing some other forms (3520, 3520A, 1116 etc). I put in 1 against 3520 (as I will be filing and sending that separately by mail). But now, TurboTax is telling me that because I am filing a From 3520 I cannot file my return online and I have to mail it in!!!???

I have used Turbo Tax in the past when my mom passed to also do the same thing as above. And it worked fine and let me file the return online. I mailed in the Form 3520 separately.

Any idea why TurboTax would not let me file my federal return online?

Thanks

Best answer by pk12_2

@caunteya , I don't understand the issue -- 3520 goes to different address than the 1040 return ( generally ). You are supposed to be able toe- file your 1040 return along with the 8938 and the 3520 separately by mail.

Please check the message as to why it is not allowing the e-file. Also check that under type of filer ( line 3 ) you have the correct selection.

If nothing works to clear this situation , and in the interest of time, i would take a chance and empty out Part IV , line 15 and see if this allows to e-file, in which case I will put priority on e-filing ( ignore Part-IV ( line 15 selection and e-file. Then separately prepare and fill out form 3520 ( which is not supported by Turbo any ways ) and mail it in ( per 3520 instructions ).

Does this make sense ?

pk

A

Anonymous_

Perhaps Champ @pk12_2 has some input.

P

pk12_2Answer

@caunteya , I don't understand the issue -- 3520 goes to different address than the 1040 return ( generally ). You are supposed to be able toe- file your 1040 return along with the 8938 and the 3520 separately by mail.

Please check the message as to why it is not allowing the e-file. Also check that under type of filer ( line 3 ) you have the correct selection.

If nothing works to clear this situation , and in the interest of time, i would take a chance and empty out Part IV , line 15 and see if this allows to e-file, in which case I will put priority on e-filing ( ignore Part-IV ( line 15 selection and e-file. Then separately prepare and fill out form 3520 ( which is not supported by Turbo any ways ) and mail it in ( per 3520 instructions ).

Does this make sense ?

pk

C

caunteyaAuthor

@pk12_2 If I clear Part IV, Line 15 (Number of Forms 3520) from 1 to blank, then it clears me to e-file!

This is weird because I have done this in prior years where I indicated Part IV, Line 15 as 1 on Form 8939 and still was able to e-file. Even then, I had separately mailed in the Form 3520 ... so that part is not changing anyway.

Do you all know if there is a way to get TurboTax folks to help here? Or just suck up and decide to either (a) file by mail or (b) do what you suggested and blank out Part IV, Line 15 and e-file... and mail in form 3520 separately anyway

V

Vanessa A

This is still a problem, as of April 15 2025 -- marking the number of 3520 filed separately on the 8938, with no other information, results in a "can't e-file your return". Not only does it prevent you e-filing the federal return, but it prevents you from e-filing a CA state return. As has been pointed out, you have to file a 3520 ON PAPER, separately, regardless of whether you e-file or print your return, and TT doesn't need to have anything to do with the contents of a 3520.

Is there another place to raise this issue that might actually get it addressed?

This is on the list to be looked at by the software developers.

In the meantime, if nothing on your 3520 affects your return, you can tell TurboTax that you do not have one. Then you would be able to e-file and mail the 3520 separately.

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S

ssp0

This is still a problem. We cant e-file if we select on 8938 that 3520 will be mailed. The mailing address of 3520 is different than where you mail 1040+8398, I do not understand why is e-file not allowed.

S

SL1234

Considering Turbotax is not willing or capable to solve this bug, has anyone in the same situation (8938 form marked with 1 form 3520 to be filed) tried efiling with a different software? Debating on cutting my loses (money spent on Turbotax) and buying TaxAct, or other software, as well so I can efile. And then just start using that software from now on for the next years instead of Turbotax.

Yes. Freetaxusa.

I have the same issue and do not understand TT's logic of taking away a feature. Form 3520 is an information only form AND goes to a different address - it is decoupled from the main tax return.....that's what makes this inability to e-file the main return all the more frustrating.

I do hope that TT product managers are paying attention to these discussions and are responsive enough to fix it for 2024 tax year.