When is Lacerte efiling up to efile prior year returns

[WAAZCPA2762]

I like many others are pretty upset, that no Lacerte alert went out that Lacerte was shutting down the efiling prior to the IRS shut down date.  I had two returns, one from 2023 and another for 2024 to file and client signed Form 8879 for 2023 on 12/25 and 2024 on 12/26.  Client had deadline from the IRS to get them filed by 12/26, Had I known Lacerte was shutting down early I would made sure to get them done by then.  IRS gave me new deadline 1/7 as that is when they said they would be back up.  Tried to re-efile the 2023 return today and Lacerte gave me an error, saying that tax payer's signature date HAD to be in the current year.  Client signed it on 12/25/2025, I can't just change the signature date, and Lacerte doesn't have the option anymore to void the esignature and resend.  How do I resolve this?  Called Lacerte 3 times today to get an answer.  1st time was put on hold several times, then was disconnected.  I called back and Lacerte rep said she couldn't hear me and hung up on me.  3rd time I called back, I am told Lacerte efiling system is still down and wont be up till mid  or late January.  I said for PRIOR year returns or for this current filing year.  Put on hold again.  Told NO returns can be efiled yet and they don't have a date for when it will be up.   Can anyone else tell me differently or know how I can resolve the signature date issue?   Client is in a different State, my office is virtual, so it's not like I can print it off and have her come in and sign it.  Thanks anyone for any feedback.

[sjrcpa]

The whole efiling system is shut down by IRS now. Intuit/Lacerte has nothing to do with it.

The opening date has not been announced yet.

There are many electronic means of delivering tax returns to clients. They could print and mail or FedEx, etc.

[Jojo94404]

Yes the IRS shut down date was 12/26/25 for their annual computer updates but Lacerte announced around Thanksgiving and then again the 2nd week of December that the last day they would be accepting e-file returns would be on 12/22/25. Any returns submitted after that time would be held at Lacerte and not forwarded to the tax agencies until the IRS "opened up" towards the end of January. Lacerte sent an email and also it was one of those important messages at the top of your screen when you log into the 2024 Lacerte program. I wasn't sure what time the cut off would be....I don't think they every mentioned that so maybe it was midnight on 12/22/25.

[sjrcpa]

Individual efiling opens, by IRS, January 26, 2026.

https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-announces-first-day-of-2026-filing-season-online-tools-and-resource...