If your e-filed return or extension (Form 4868 Application for Automatic Extension of Time To File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return ) was rejected, the nature of the error you receive dictates which section of the Q&A you will need to review to correct the error. After you have reviewed the applicable section(s) carefully and corrected any data errors, we recommend you print your return and review it one last time before resubmitting. Once you are satisfied all the information is correct, begin the e-file steps again to resubmit your return.

When resubmitting a return after it is rejected, you will be prompted to enter your credit or debit card information during the filing steps. However, as long as the primary Social Security Number (SSN) or the product type does not change, you will not be charged again.

The first deadline for e-filing is midnight (your local time), April 15th. If your return is rejected, you have until the later of the filing deadline OR five days after the last rejection notice to resubmit your return and have it accepted before the IRS will assess late fees (if rejected on 4/15, this would give you until 4/20).

If you are not able to complete the e-filing process successfully by April 20th, you will need to file a paper return (postmarked within ten days of your last rejection notice), no later than April 25th.

To print a paper copy of your return (which can then be mailed to the IRS or applicable state agency - include a copy of the rejection email received by April 15th):

1. From within your TaxAct return (Online or Desktop), click Filing to expand, then click Mail Paper Return.
2. Continue through the paper-filing steps until you reach the screen where you can print your return. On the following screen, you will be prompted to also print the filing instructions.
3. If you are printing and mailing a state return, continue through the paper-filing steps to print the state return and instructions.
4. The paper-filing steps are complete when you reach the screen titled Next Year.

Before mailing the return(s), be sure to read the instructions. They will include important information such as where to file, what to attach to the return (i.e. W-2s, 1099s, etc.), refund or balance due, information about estimated tax payments, etc.

In this instance, you should also include a copy of the IRS rejection with your return.

Generally, states follow the federal resubmission guidelines; if you have any questions on these guidelines for your particular state, you should contact the state agency.

If you have applied and been accepted for an extension (Form 4868), the deadline is October 15th. If you have e-filed on or before October 15th and have been rejected, you will have until midnight, October 20th to resubmit your return through TaxAct before the IRS will assess late fees.

Note that any link in the information above is updated each year automatically and will take you to the most recent version of the document at the time it is accessed.