Question

Can't e-file because TurboTax is unable to locate attachment.

Forum|Forum|6 years ago
June 1, 2019
9 replies
0 views

During the e-file process when I click on "Transmit Returns Now" I get a Turbotax error message that says: "We can't file your return because we are unable to locate the attachment at . Please go back and re-attach it. Then try e-filing again".

This error is happening for my MN State tax return. For MN I am filing "Resident" but I have two other non-resident state tax returns - WI and MI. Both of these as well as the Federal return were transmitted successfully.

TurboTax Home & Biz Windows

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dwtoby

how is this problem fixed?

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gregB-SD

Earlier while working on your tax return, you were prompted to 'attach' a PDF to your return as required for your tax return. Attaching 'registers' the file location with TurboTax so that later, when efiling, it can retrieve the document and send along with the tax file. The error you are seeing is usually due to TurboTax not being able to locate the previously selected file. Be sure not to move, rename or delete the file so that it is available to the program when you efile.

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Ruben11

Can't efile return because error says turbotax can't locate an attachment on desktop, i don't have any attachments!

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Mf7kb9

I get this error also when attempting to transmit my state returns for NY and CT.
Any ideas would be greatly appreciated..

we can’t e file because we are unable to locate attachment at.

DaveF1006

At this point, I would either contact phone support to see if they can pinpoint your specific issue or mail in your MN return. It is hard for us in community to troubleshoot your return without actually seeing it.

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gpham0561

I got the same error message ""We can't file your return because we are unable to locate the attachment at . Please go back and re-attach it. Then try e-filing again".

Where should I go back and attach any necessary files?

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sameers

i cant file NY because of same error. Turbotax is telling me to mail my return,

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renrutjp

I have just successfully e-filed Fed and AZ. and am getting same error msg for NY. NY mandates e-filing (except for some >$100K incomes. Filing by mail is no an option for me. This could be influenced by NY Form 203 where a fax or image signature requirement comes in to play, but is not addressed by TT in the prep steps. I don't want to research and buy another software packet this week, but maybe have little choice - TT please respond!!

fanfare

Ignore the message from turboTax that NY return must be e-Filed.

Visit NY revenue website to obtain the mailing address for a paper NY state tax return.

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wihuang

Encountered the same issue too. Was able to efile Federal and PA state returns, but NY non-residential return did not go through. TurboTax never promoted for any file attachment prior to efiling transmit button.

Called TurboTax twice, gone through the automated voice hell, the first customer service lady dropped the call after a few minutes, the second one seemed to work at home with kids crying in the background and computer screen frozen, so she dropped my call as well.

I am going to mail it in tomorrow. Anyone has a more robust software to recommend for next year?

fanfare

[ update: removed, not a solution ]

fanfare

Instructions above are for the Chrome browser with a new Tab.

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ehong78

How can you go back to page where you attach file? The one I found is greyed out.

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Cynthiad66

At this point, I would either contact phone support to see if they can pinpoint your specific issue or mail in your return. It is hard for us in community to troubleshoot your return without actually seeing it.

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OceanZhang

Solution:

During the e-file process, TurboTax is supposed to auto generate this pdf, save it, and attach it. For some reason, this doesn't always happen. For me, it was the federal that glitched while my state was just fine.

Take note of the file location that turbotax is looking for the missing file.

Save the return you wish to file in PDF format in the folder that turbotax is looking for the attachment.

Change the file name of the saved file to the exact file name that turbotax is looking for.

Once you have the exact match, transmit the e-file, and you should be good.

Note, if your problem is with a state return, make sure you save only the state portion of the turbotax return and not the entire federal+state. If you save the whole federal+state file and go through the steps, it will still bypass the error and get the return filed, but your state comptroller might not look past the federal portion of your returns before seeing your state returns.

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kmatt5

I ran into this error and it was frustrating as the message is not clear. I figured out it is related to the Form 8453 for esignature that need to be printed, signed, scanned and uploaded.

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CarissaM

We are happy to hear you were able to solve the issue.

Please let us know if we can further assist you. @kmatt5

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MLHertz

I had this error as well using a downloaded version of Turbotax business. It also didn't show up under the Tools as a valid attachment. I moved the file from My downloads folder and put it in the same folder where I was saving my return. I also changed the name to something simpler like "signature form". The pdf previously had a name with unusual characters. I was able to check that it attached by going to the tools menu. Then I was able to efile.