If you encounter the following Red Alert during the e-filing process:

Error or Omission: Electronic Filing
This return does not qualify for electronic filing.

It means that the IRS will reject the return based on their e-filing rules.

Why This Happens:

Your return must include at least one of the following to be eligible for e-filing:

• Taxable Income
• Adjustments to Income
• Tax Liability
• Credits
• Other Taxes
• Tax Payments

If all of these lines have zero values, your return cannot be electronically filed and must be paper filed instead.

This error aligns with IRS Business Rule F1040-065, which states:

At least one of the following lines must have a non-zero value:

• Form 1040, Line 22 – Total Income
• Line 37 – Adjusted Gross Income (AGI)
• Line 44 – Tax Liability
• Line 54 – Total Credits
• Line 61 – Total Tax
• Line 72 – Total Payments

What You Can Do:

1. Review your entries:

   • Go back through the Q&A starting with the Basic Information section to verify all your data is entered correctly.

2. Check if you're required to file:

   • It’s possible you are not required to file a return based on your financial activity for the year.
   • For help determining this, visit our IRS Filing Requirements FAQ.

3. If your return remains ineligible for e-filing, you will need to print and mail it.