When trying to efile a return, if you receive the following messages saying that the DCN is a duplicate, to force a new DCN (figure 1), that there was an E-file creation error (figure 2), and that the E-file failed to create (figure 3), follow these directions to correct the problem.

(figure 1)

(figure 2)

(figure 3)

1. Go into the return, open the EF input screen, and check the "Force New DCN" box (figure 4).

(figure 4)
2. If any of the following states are on the return, try to force a new DCN on the state as well as the federal (figures 5 through 10).

• California - Located on the General Information input screen and on the EF-8453 input screen (figures 5 and 6).

(figure 5)

(figure 6)
• Illinois - Located on the IL EF-8453 input screen (figure 7).

(figure 7)
• Maine - Located on the General Information input screen (figure 8).

(figure 8)
• Massachusetts - Located on the EF-8453 input screen (figure 9).

(figure 9)
• Minnesota - Located on the General Information input screen (figure 10).

(figure 10)

3. You should no longer receive the Duplicate DCN message. However, if you still receive the message after forcing a new DCN on the federal and state, it may be necessary to change the DCN batch numbers. To do this click on the Settings menu and select EF and Bank Settings (figure 11).

(figure 11)
4. Click on the EFIN Batches tab and change the starting batch of the EFIN being used (figure 12).
NOTE: Each batch number may include up to 99 returns, so be careful not to change the starting batch too high. Changing the starting batch to the number 100, for example, elimates the ability to e-file 9,900 returns, so changing the starting batch to a number 2 to 5 higher at a time is sufficient.

(figure 12)
5. After changing the starting batch number, go to the federal EF–E-File input screen and check the box to force a new DCN (force a new DCN for any of the states that require it also), then review the return and create the E-File again and you should no longer receive the message (figure 13).

(figure 13)
6. If you still receive the Duplicate DCN message, repeat steps 4 and 5 again, making only small changes to the batch number. If you have done this up to 3 times and continue to get the message, please contact Technical Support at 1-800-843-1139.