Form is Final but Instructions are not?

[RyanB]

I have multiple returns that have the form 8960 generating and the 1040-ES's. There are critical diagnostics telling me that the form is final, but the instructions are not and calculations could change if I file now. It is already 2/19/26 and I am not sure if this is a glitch on my side or if everyone else in Proconnect is seeing the same thing

[IRonMaN]

If the numbers flow correctly, just file the return.  Finalized instructions aren't going to change anything.

[Intuit_Kallana]

Hi @RyanB , as @IRonMaN pointed out the instructions diagnostic will not stop you from efiling it is simply a warning.  As for an ETA on when they will be completed, we do not have that information available to us at this time.  For any other questions, please contact ProConnect Support .

[TammyinBuffalo]

The diagnostic is still appearing (on 2/23/26) and a search of the Form Instructions says that the Instructions are NOT in draft form but are final and have been so since 2/9/26.

We are also still getting diagnostics regarding the state tax software not being final - New York calculations associated with conformity or nonconformity to provisions of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025 are currently being researched and will be available in a future release. NY - Ref #61701

Why is the ProConnect Tax software not being updated?

I have spoken with ProConnect Support and they have talked to software and they say that it takes time (and that they are also frustrated).  This sounds like Intuit not having sufficient staff.  Our firm has used this software for years and this is by far the worst timing and customer support we have ever received.

[Intuit_Kallana]

Hi @TammyinBuffalo, ProConnect updates are being made to the program as new updates are received.  Form instructions visible on the state website is separate from the individual state approvals that have to come through for each of our programs individually for the actual program.  This is a process that occurs every year and it does take time as everything requires both State and IRS approval before it can be "live" in the program.  However, as stated before, those diagnostics do not prevent you from e-filing and are simply a warning to the preparers.  

[TammyinBuffalo]

Thanks Intuit_Kallana! 

I have been an Intuit ProConnect customer for at least 7 years.  During that time there have been many law changes, and at a later date than July 4th of the previous year.  The turn around time for the software has never been this long and the lack of communication of timing of updates so poor.  I understand that we can file if we want to, however the reason we purchase tax return software is for the calculations to be accurate.  

[Intuit_Kallana]

Hi @TammyinBuffalo , I understand your frustration and apologize for the inconvenience.  I am a ProConnect user myself and work for ProConnect Support.  I can tell you that updates are processed every week, sometimes one to two times a week.  However, we can't provide you the specific time that a specific state diagnostic will resolve prior to the update that is covering it being completed.  Once I see it update in the program, I will come back to this message and post.  I can do that for you.

[REDONE]

Still waiting on Form 8960 and ES instructions.  When will they clear critical diagnostics?  Others say to just e-file anyway but will not go through because it's a critical diagnostic.  Its February 23rd.  These should be done by now.  

[PODW4444]

Getting late early   . we dont think the message has a lot of significance .. we are moving on w 1040 ES .

Snowy Day in NJ           24 inches

[REDONE]

Critical diagnostics do prevent us from e-filing.  Are you saying to by-pass it?

[REDONE]

What is this?

[Intuit_Kallana]

Hi @REDONE, yes you can click ignore and efile for that diagnostic.  Also, technically that will work for e-file diagnostics as well to bypass if you feel forms are correct.

[PODW4444]

Total  agreement                   Click on ignore  and move on .........................

SNOWED IN NJ

[BobKamman]

I saw that 8960 warning and wondered what it might be.  Some hidden item in the 2025 tax legislation that applies to dividends from Saudi oil companies?  Asked AI and the most likely candidate there was, 

"Interpretation of "Properly Allocable" Deductions: Determining which expenses are properly allocable to investment income for NIIT purposes (Part II) can be complex and differ from regular income tax rules, leading to potential misreporting."

I decided it was some exotic situation and I don't have any exotic clients.  Just people who make a lot of money and keep much of it in the bank earning interest.  

[Intuit_Kallana]

Hi @TammyinBuffalo, as promised, here is the update on the OBBB diagnostics.  They have been moved to the suggestions section on the diagnostic page and will no longer appear as critical diagnostics as of today.

[TammyinBuffalo]

Thanks Intuit_Kallana.  I am more interested in when the software will be updated and they will be removed entirely.  Unless they are a permanent diagnostic that the software will need to be updated?

[Intuit_Kallana]

I will see if I can get an answer for you on this one.

[REDONE]

The Forms for ES and 8960 are still showing up in the critical diagnostics this morning.

[Intuit_Kallana]

Hi @REDONE, yes only the OBBB diagnostics were removed.  Those two will remain but as mentioned before can be ignored.

[luannemcgee]

It appears that the 8960 instructions are now final on irs.gov.  Any idea when Lacerte might remove this entirely?  We are on Right Networks so understand the update might be coming overnight (we can hope).

[Intuit_Kallana]

Hi @luannemcgee , the diagnostic is based on the final approval inside the program from the IRS not necessarily the IRS.gov website.  Unfortunately, I do not have an ETA that I can give you on it, but you can click ignore on the diagnostic.

[TammyinBuffalo]

Intuit_Kallana - to clarify...the OBBB diagnostics are still on the returns and have NOT been removed from the returns.  They have been moved to the Suggestions area of the diagnostics from the Critical area.  Which still begs the question when are the OBBB calculations on the state returns going to be available?  It seems like we would want the calculations on the state returns to be finalized before filing.  

[Intuit_Kallana]

Hi @TammyinBuffalo sorry for the delay got the answer for you.  The OBBB diagnostics will remain as suggestions in the program at least throughout this tax year.  They are warnings for preparers to double check state rules as some states do not conform until later on in the year.  However, for those states that have already updated their conformity rules ProConnect has already been updated for those calculations and they are finalized in the program for e-file.

[TammyinBuffalo]

Thanks Intuit_Kallana!

I appreciate the timeline, it is most helpful.  My response is in no way a critique of you - I appreciate your responsiveness to the situation!

The diagnostic says - "New York calculations associated with conformity or nonconformity to provisions of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025 are currently being researched and will be available in a future release"

Your response does not seem to address the verbiage in this diagnostic as it is very state specific and your response is not.  I will note that the Intuit Tax Forms Availability site shows all NYS forms "Final form without watermark was released on January 30, 2026".  So my assumption is at least the software is compliant with current NYS forms.  I am very disappointed in Intuit's choice in how to approach this.    

As there is no anticipated further release during this filing season, I will proceed accordingly.

Again, thank you for your very diligent work on this issue.  I appreciate it!

[Intuit_Kallana]

You are very welcome, and I took no offense at all being a preparer myself.  I understand what you mean regarding the verbiage, but yes the calculations are current based upon New York current laws at this time.

[QueenOHearts64]

The instructions on this form are final per the IRS.  I am not seeing any changes that affect the calculations and I have quite a few returns held up for this, but I am going to go ahead and ignore the diagnostic and move forward with e-filing the returns.

I will say that during tax season time is limited and having to get on the IRS website, check for form approval and read through them to make sure nothing has changed is not something I have time for right now.  I only did it because my tax clients were getting pretty annoyed.  I feel like it should not be too much to ask for my software product to stay on top of this type of thing so I can continue preparing returns instead of stopping to look things up and read through instructions. (Note: The instructions were finalized February 4, so it has been almost 3 weeks, hopefully it will be addressed soon)

[Demetra]

This is unacceptable on February 26th. Can't file a single return

[Demetra]

Agreed

[IRonMaN]

Everybody else seems to be filing, why can't you?

[Demetra]

Hi Have been using Proconnect for 7 years and this is not standard practice with Proconnect. Cannot file a single return due to these errors. There needs to be an absolute timeline on these diagnostics. Looks so unprofessional to say my tax program has not updated the program and I cannot file your return.

[IRonMaN]

Form instructions not being finalized is not something that is going to prevent you from filing the returns.,

[Intuit_Kallana]

Hi @Demetra, I am a support agent but also a user for the last 10 years.  The diagnostics inside this thread can all be bypassed for electronic filing.  Click the "ignore" box and then you will find the efile screen will allow e-file.  If you are not able to e-file, it would indicate another error on the return and we would be happy to help you in that case at Proconnect Support .

[CECIII]

This is not the answer. Preparers rely on the software to make complete and correct computations. Just telling people to go  with it is bad advice.

[CECIII]

It is tax filing season. E-filing opened January 19th. We have clients we need deliver returns to. If you are not the right person to address the problem here, find the person who is and inform them.

[Demetra]

Hi The Diagnostic says that amending a return is possible. It is less than ideal to be in a position that I would have to amend all of my 2025 returns with 1040ES and Form 8960 which represents the majority of my clients. Please provide a timeframe for the resolution of this issue.

[IRonMaN]

I'm curious - why would you need to amend your returns if something with estimated vouchers changed?

[Lizhoh]

I also have several returns with this diagnostic.  I understand that I can file by ignoring the diagnostic, but I would prefer the forms to be updated in the system prior to filing.  It is now February 27th and 1040 ES and 8960 are still showing instructions in draft form.  Please give me an ETA!!!

[Intuit_Kallana]

Hi @RyanB @Lizhoh @IRonMaN @Demetra @CECIII , as promised I am coming back to update that the 1040-ES and Form 8960 instructions diagnostics have now been cleared in the program.  Thank you for your patience!