How to attach PDF files to federal or state electronic filing in ProSeries

Before you start:

• There isn't an option to preview the attached PDF file or to print the attached PDF with the return.
• PDF files are limited in size. The entire file, including PDF attachments, submitted via e-file is limited to 32 MB.
• PDF files can't be attached to returns after they are transmitted for e-file.
• See "Reducing the size of PDFs to resolve errors" at the bottom of this article for instructions on resolving errors related to the size of PDF attachments.

For more Print & PDF resources, check out our Troubleshooting page for Print & PDF where you'll find answers to the most commonly asked questions.

Attaching a PDF from the EF Center HomeBase view:

1. Open ProSeries to the EF Center in ProSeries Professional or the EF Clients Tab in ProSeries Basic.
2. Select the Federal or State return needing the attachment.
3. From the E-File menu, select Attach PDF Files.
4. Click Add Attachment and browse to the PDF you need to attach.
   • If you are attaching a PDF created from ProSeries the default path for PDFs is C:\ProPDF\
5. Select the PDF and click Open to begin the attachment process.
6. It's important to review the Type column.
   • The default selection is Other and will need a description.
   • If you are attaching a PDF required by the final review, select the corresponding Type to clear the error.
7. Click OK to finish attaching the PDF.
8. Repeat steps 4–7 for any additional attachments needed.
9. Once successfully attached, the EF Center will show a paper clip icon next to the return. This means the PDF will be transmitted with the return when you e-file.

Attaching a PDF when inside a return:

1. Open the client's return.
2. Open the Federal or State return depending needing the attachment.
3. From the E-File menu, select Attach PDF Files.
4. Click Add Attachment and browse to the PDF you need to attach.
   • If you are attaching a PDF created from ProSeries the default path for PDFs is C:\ProPDF\
5. Select the PDF and click Open to begin the attachment process.
6. It's important to review the Type column.
   • The default selection is Other and will need a description.
   • If you are attaching a PDF required by the final review, select the corresponding Type to clear the error.
7. Click OK to finish attaching the PDF.
8. Repeat steps 4–7 for any additional attachments needed.
9. Once successfully attached, the EF Center will show a paper clip icon next to the return. This means the PDF will be transmitted with the return when you e-file.

Removing or deleting PDF attachments:

1. Open the client file where the PDF file has been attached.
   • If the PDF file is attached to the state return, go to that state.
2. From the E-file menu, select Attach PDF Files.
3. Within the list of attached PDF files, highlight the PDF file you'd like to remove.
4. Click Remove attachment on the left side of the window.
   • If you receive an error when trying to remove the PDF attachment, the PDF may have been deleted from the computer. To remove the PDF when an error is present, go to File > Save As and make a copy of the return. The copy won't contain the PDF attachments.

Common questions

Reducing the size of PDFs to resolve errors

When e-filing a return, the E-file Wizard generates an error:

"Requested entity is too large."

The e-file transmission may take several minutes and fail with the following message:

"The e-file server is experiencing difficulties."

How do I resolve these errors?

To resolve these errors, you must reduce the size of the PDF. To reduce the size of a PDF, you may need to remove pages using a PDF editor, or you may need to recreate the PDF with fewer pages or at a lower resolution.

If the PDF was created from scanned documents, reducing the number of scanned pages or the DPI settings of the scanner can result in a reduced size for a PDF. For assistance reducing the size of a PDFs, contact the scanner manufacturer or the maker of the PDF editor software.

The size of a PDF file depends on how it was created. Very approximately, 1.5 MB might contain:

• 8-16 pages scanned at 300 DPI (dots per inch) in black and white mode.
• 15-30 pages scanned at 200 DPI in black and white mode.
• 100-200 pages printed directly to PDF from a program like OpenOffice, Word, WordPerfect, or Excel.

Tips to reduce the size of PDF attachments:

• Never scan in grayscale or color mode.
• Never scan in any resolution higher than 300 DPI.
  • 200 DPI is adequate resolution for scanning clear material, such as a typewriter or word processor might generate.
  • 300 DPI is adequate for anything people can easily read.
• If possible, obtain attachments in electronic (word processor or spreadsheet) format and print directly to PDF, rather than scanning.
• Individual returns can still use Form 8453 to mail paper copies of some attached material.

If the PDF attachments can't be reduced to the limits, then the return must be filed as a conventional paper return.

States that don't support PDF attachments in ProSeries

Tax year 2022:

• Indiana

Tax year 2021

• Indiana

Tax year 2020:

• Illinois
• Indiana
• Tennessee

All other individual states not listed here will offer support for PDF attachments for electronic filing.

When attaching a PDF document for e-file, why is the only option in the Type dropdown list "Other"?

• PDF attachments are limited to Type: Other when the return is marked for extension.
• Additional Type(s) are available for regular business returns only.
• Make sure you're filing the regular business return by following the steps in this article.

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