Comment by wredcoll

5 months ago

Just for everyone's amusement, here's one of the emails I got when I made an error filling out the forms last year:

------

Dear Free File Fillable Forms Taxpayer:

Your 2023 federal tax return has been rejected due to the error(s) listed below.

Your Submission ID is: 44011101892

Get help resolving your errors by using the Error Search Tool at https://www.irs.gov/filing/individuals/free-file-fillable-fo... You must follow the search instructions to find solutions

When you have your solution(s), sign in to your Free File Fillable Forms account at https://www.freefilefillableforms.com Fix your error(s) and resubmit your return. Be sure to re-enter the direct debit date (if used) and the e-file date in the Step 2 tab of Free File Fillable Forms.

If you are unable to resolve the error(s), you can mail your tax return and your payment by April 18, 2023 to avoid penalties and interest. Here is your error(s):

Issue : Business Rule X0000-005 - The XML data has failed schema validation. cvc-pattern-valid. Value `` is not facet-valid with respect to pattern `[0-9]{9}` for type `EINType`.

The following information may help you determine the form at issue: Field/Xpath: /efile:Return[1]/efile:ReturnData[1]/efile:IRSW2[2]/efile:EmployerEIN[1]

5 comments

wredcoll

ipdashc 5 months ago

I got a similar one!

    Issue : Business Rule IND-031-04 - `PrimaryPriorYearPIN` or `PrimaryPriorYearAGIAmt` in the Return Header must match the e-File database. If you are unable to provide a valid `PrimaryPriorYearPIN` or `PrimaryPriorYearAGIAmt`, then you may instead provide an Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN) to electronically file your return. An IP PIN may not be used if you are filing Form 9465 standalone. If you wish to get an IP PIN and you don`t already have an account on IRS.gov, then you must register to validate your identity. Please visit www.irs.gov/getanippin for further information and resubmit your return.

    The following information may help you determine the form at issue:
    Field/Xpath: /efile:Return/efile:ReturnHeader/efile:Filer/efile:PrimarySSN

Got a bit of a kick out of it. Feels weird to see inside the "implementation layer" of sorts for the IRS, of all things.

EnderWT 5 months ago

You used Free Fillable Forms, not Direct File. Direct File is a web application piloted in 2024 with a larger release this past year. The URL is https://directfile.irs.gov/

PaulDavisThe1st 5 months ago

I had an error while working on my 2025 return that did in fact turn out to be an implementation error in the business logic. I was sort of proud!

bluSCALE4 5 months ago

As an XML Specialist, this is perfectly clear to me.

wredcoll 5 months ago

I was in fact able to use that error message to fix the error but I resented every single minute of it.