F8962-070: The e-File database indicates that Form 8962 or a binary attachment with description containing “ACA Explanation” must be present in the return

TaxSlayer TIP:  The IRS has information on their master file that indicates that someone on the return has a 1095-A on file for at least 1 month during the tax year.  This data must be provided in order to electronically file the return.

IND-181-01:The Primary Taxpayer did not enter a valid Identity Protection Personal Identification Number (IP PIN). Please visit www.irs.gov/getanippin for further information and resubmit your return with the correct number.

IND-180-01: Primary taxpayer’s Identity Protection Personal Identification Number (IP PIN) must match the e-File database. Please double check your entry and resubmit your return with the correct number.

IND-996: The Dependent/Qualifying Person Identity Protection Personal Identification Number (IP PIN) provided on the return is not valid. Please visit www.irs.gov/getanippin for further information and resubmit your return with the correct number

TaxSlayer TIP:  If the return is carried forward, a warning will be displayed prior to going to the e-file section to let you know that someone on on the prior year return had a PIN. An IP PIN is valid for one calendar year. Clients must obtain a new IP PIN each year at the start of the filing season by accessing the account they created at www.irs.gov/ippin.

Note:  If the taxpayer retrieved their PIN from the IPPIN portal prior to January 26, have them retrieve it again in order to get a TY2025 PIN

Current Year 1040 e-file is live

We plan to turn on the following for electronic filing on Thursday, January 29th.

• State Only
• 2024 for all e-file types
• 2023 for all e-file types (excludes state amended returns)

All other previous years will need to be filed via paper.

We currently have the following dates and times allotted as controlled launch windows for VITA/TCE Sites.

• Wednesday, January 21st  10am – 4pm (Eastern)
• Thursday, January 22nd 10am – 4pm (Eastern)

During this period, we will send VITA/TCE returns to the IRS and receive acknowledgements. We strongly recommend you open and review the return before sending, especially if you created the return when we opened on the 8th. Federal and state calculations changed frequently during this time period.   You must send these returns from the Submission menu during the controlled launch period.

This date and time is subject to change or the process is subject to stop based on feedback from the IRS.

Can I expect acks during controlled launch?

Yes, the IRS will be returning acknowledgements during this period.  However, the refunds will not be processed any faster by the IRS.

Does this speed up the process of the taxpayer getting their refund any earlier?

No.

What happens if I submit a return and it is not sent during Controlled Launch?

We will hold the return and submit it on Monday, January 26th when e-file opens.

Rejects we are seeing trending during from our offices using our Professional line of products during Controlled Launch

F8962-070

We are seeing a lot of IRS rejects surrounding the 8962.   As you start preparing returns for your taxpayers remember that if the IRS has on file that anyone on the return had at market place insurance at any time (even if just for a short period of time), it needs to be entered on the tax return, otherwise the return will get rejected.

Note:  If Carry Forward is used on the return and there was a 1095-A in the prior year return, a warning will be presented to the preparer prior to going into the e-file section.

IND-181-01

The Primary Taxpayer did not enter a valid Identity Protection Personal Identification Number (IP PIN). Please visit www.irs.gov/getanippin for further information and resubmit your return with the correct number.

Note:  If Carry Forward is used on the return and was a PIN in the prior year and not in the current year, a warning will be presented to the preparer prior to going into the e-file section.  The IP PIN changes each year for the protection of the taxpayer.

Note:  The IRS will not be opening the IP PIN portal back up until e-file begins.  The taxpayer should have received correspondence from the IRS with their new IP PIN.  

Scenario: An existing TaxSlayer Pro Online site from 2024 or a prior year now has a new Site Admin for 2025.

Question: How does the new site admin gain access to the site if they do not already have a login?

Solution: Send an email to TaxSlayer VITA/TCE Support ([email protected]) with the following information and subject line:

Subject Line: New Site Admin

Body: I am the new site admin for the following site and need the link sent that allows me to create my admin credentials.

EFIN: {Enter six digit EFIN}

SIDN: {Enter SIDN associated with the site}

Site Name: {Enter Site Name}

Site Admin Name: {Enter your name as the new site administrator}

Site Admin Phone: {Enter your phone number)

Site Admin Email: {this is the email address the link will be sent to}

Important Dates

• Early January:  We are releasing states as we receive final approvals
• January 12th:  Start New Return is available at your site
• Week of January 12th:  Email 2025 VITA Kiosk URLs who have submitted required support information
• Controlled Launch:  Date and time to be determined.  This allows us to send a few e-files through the system.
• E-file Opens:  January 26th at approximately 11:00am EST.

If your site is no longer active, please reach out to your SPEC relationship Manager to ensure that your order has been placed with the IRS.  There may be outstanding questions and/or paperwork needed.

1/20/26 – All states are open.

We have released the first version of the following states. This list will be updated as additional states become available.

• Alabama
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• California
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Georgia
• Hawaii
• Idaho
• Illinois
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Maryland
• Missouri
• Montana
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• New York
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Ohio
• Pennsylvania
• South Carolina
• Utah
• Virginia
• West Virginia

Are tax calculations in the states finalized?

• No, this is an early version of states. As we receive finalized tax law and e-file changes from the states, we will be updating the state software. This will be a continual and ongoing process through early to mid January (which is typical of any tax year).

Are state prints finalized?

• No. As we received approved prints for the state forms, we will remove the “Do not Mail” watermark.

My state is not on the list, when will it be available?

• We will continue to post states as we receive approvals and/or communications from the states.

Update:  This has been resolved

We are currently working to resolve the slowness you are experiencing when opening returns (all years).

Update 8:30 am:  All errors have been resolved.

Update 8:03 am:  Errors accessing Roles and Permissions and the client portal lists have been resolved

As we are preparing to move into the new season, our dev team is working on some infrastructure changes.  Currently, the following features are not working as expected:  The Client Portal List, Accessing Roles & Permissions and access the e-file section.  You will see the following when trying to access the e-file section and need to close the browser to exit the messaging: