In case you meet all the requirements to e-file your Federal tax return, the 'Proceed with e-file' option will pop up on Step 8 Finalizing, sub-step Download files:
Once you click on the e-file option, the system will take you to the next and final step of the e-file process: Step 8 Finalizing, sub-step E-file. To e-file your Federal tax return, you will have to enter all the required information. Here's a breakdown of each e-file question:
1. Have you e-filed your federal tax return last year?
This question asks if you have e-filed your tax return last year. If you have and you select 'Yes' you will be asked about the 5-digit PIN that you have used for your last year's e-filing:
If you remember the e-file PIN that you used last year, please select 'Yes' and enter it. It must be the same exact one. If you do not remember your PIN, you can use your last year's AGI in such case. You should enter the AGI from your last federal tax return on question "Please enter the AGI from your last processed federal tax return" and you will be able to proceed further.
If this is your first time e-filing, please create a 5-digit PIN and make sure to remember it.
2. Please enter the AGI from your last processed Federal tax return.
To answer that question, please retrieve a copy of your last processed federal tax return. The Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) can be found on line 11 of your last processed Federal tax return.
If this is your first time filing a tax return, please enter ‘0’ (zero).
3. Did you get an Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN) for filing your 2024 tax return?
What is an IP PIN? An IP PIN is a 6-digit number that prevents somebody else from filing a tax return using your Social Security number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification number (ITIN). If you have personally requested such PIN from the IRS, please make sure to enter it. Otherwise, select ‘No’.
After you confirm that the information that you have provided the Sprintax software with is accurate and you consent to the e-file policy, you will be asked about the pass the MFA in your account (2FA or SMS authentication)
NOTE: You will have to have at least one kind of MFA set up in your account to be able to complete the e-filing process.
To verify yourself via your 2FA app:
1. Click on 'Authenticator app'
2. Click on appropriate 2FA profile you created within your 2FA app:
3. Click on 'Proceed'
4. Open your 2FA app on your mobile device and enter the code displayed on the app
5. Once you successfully enter your 2FA code the window below will pop up
Afterwards, you will be directed back to Step 8 Finalizing, sub-step Download files.
To verify yourself via SMS:
1. Click on 'Text message'
2. Click on the phone number you added and then on 'Proceed'
3. Enter the code you received on your device via SMS
4. Once you successfully enter your SMS code the window below will pop up
Afterwards, you will be directed back to Step 8 Finalizing, sub-step Download files.
Once you’ve attempted to e-file your Federal tax return, the IRS will need around 3-5 days to process it. The status of your e-filed Federal tax return can be:
PENDING: While you wait for the IRS to process your e-file, the status of it would be ‘Pending’.
ACCEPTED: Once the IRS checks your e-file and there is no mismatch in the information that you’ve provided, your e-file will be ‘Accepted’.
REJECTED: In case the IRS comes across any discrepancy in the provided details, your e-file will get rejected and you will have to submit your Federal tax return on paper.
Sprintax will send you an automated email to inform you of the outcome of the e-file.
Keep in mind that only the Federal tax return can be e-filed. Any other tax forms prepared by Sprintax such as the 8843 form, State tax return, FICA refund claim must be submitted on paper. However if your 8843 form is included in your e-filed Federal tax return package then you do not have to mail it.