Sometimes rather than fight with the software, I surrender and find an alternative route.  I would try loading the basic information for a new client in the prior year and then transfer the client to 2020 to see if that solves the mystery.

For all new client's you need to uncheck the Box on the "Client Status" form. "By checking this box, the client billing/invoice and client letter dates will use the date EFiled above instead of your system date."

Bug in program automatically checks this box for new clients.