MO-1040 missing Scan Code this year

Forum|Forum|1 year ago
March 6, 2025
4 replies
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In previous years, printed MO-1040 had a Scan Code in the top right for easy entry in their systems for mail filing. It is not there on my Printed MO-1040 this year. Is that a bug? or do they not use it anymore?

TurboTax Online

Best answer by jcgbus

Also, I wanted to thank you for getting back quickly. I was wondering if you are able to get this question to the programmers, given it isn't printing.

Thanks! 🙂

OK,
I also called Turbo Tax Call Center. They had no record of issues for printing with 2d-barcodes, and thus no ETA for a fix.
Additionally, I tried reloading everything on a totally new Machine (but same files... I'm not going to mess with reentry) so that eliminates caches, etc. But that also didn't work.

Finally, I resolved to simply Print, and put a note in it. Apparently, MO has different addresses for 2d-barcodes, so it likely goes faster if you have it, but it doesn't seem to be required to file. https://dor.mo.gov/contact/individual-income-tax-information.html
FYI, my version is Windows 10 Desktop App, Full Business, etc.

MAK70

Yes, there should be a barcode on the printed tax return if you mail it in. See FAQs - Fillable 2-D Barcoded Form Information.

jcgbusAuthor

Thank you,
I know they expect it, which is why I'm asking. When I printed my MO-1040, it is missing. I am wondering if TurboTax, MO division can weigh in?

jcgbusAuthor

Also, I wanted to thank you for getting back quickly. I was wondering if you are able to get this question to the programmers, given it isn't printing.

Thanks! 🙂

BEL27

I am having the same issue with 2024 Deluxe on Mac (desktop version). I cannot get Turbotax to generate/print the MO-1040 form that includes the 2-D barcode (which would include mailing addresses of P.O. Box 3222 and P.O. Box 3370 on the last page). Instead I get the no 2-D barcode form with the mailing addresses of P.O. Box 329 and P.O. Box 500 on the last page. With the addresses as evidence, it appears that Turbotax is either (incorrectly) selecting the non-barcode form, or is lacking the form with the 2-D barcode. This isn't an issue of the correct MO-1040 form simply lacking the barcode.

I've contacted Turbotax support by phone twice regarding this. The first time I was told that the final Missouri forms were not yet available and were scheduled to be updated on Feb 27. The second time I called, I was told that the updates were apparently delayed, and there wasn't anything I could do but wait for Missouri to provide the form (implying that the Missouri Department of Revenue hadn't provided Turbotax the MO-1040 form for the 2-D barcode), or go ahead and file without it. (Although this was supposed to be a follow up of the same case number, I was given a new case number for the second call, which I thought was a bit strange.) Since then, the Missouri forms have been updated (dated 03/11/25 as opposed to the previous 02/07/25). However this has made no difference. I still am not able to get Turbotax to produce the MO-1040 form with the 2-D barcode.

I am very frustrated by this. I have printouts of my Turbotax generated MO-1040s all the way back to TY2011, and they all have the 2-D barcode on them regardless of how early I filed and printed them. Most of those years were e-filed, and I've only recently needed to paper file as e-filing is oddly not supported for my current tax situation. My understanding is that without the 2-D barcode the tax data cannot be scanned, but has to be manually data entered by Department of Revenue employees, which increases the potential for errors. This is why I was hoping for the 2-D barcode. I'm not sure if the problem here is Turbotax, the Missouri Department of Revenue, or their failure to communicate with each other. This is one of several frustrations I've had with Turbotax over the past 3-4 years. Prior to that my experience with Turbotax was excellent.

Parallax314

Anyone know if it’s a good idea to take the forms that TurboTax generates to print and mail, but instead use that to fill in the fillable forms Missouri provides that generate the 2D barcodes?

I gave it a try and all that I can tell that changes was the vendor number.

BEL27

That certainly can be done, and I've considered it. I'm not sure if it's a good idea or not. We've paid Intuit for the state product and should be getting the 2-D barcode version of the MO-1040 from them. Transferring the information to Missouri's fillable form is work that we shouldn't have to do after paying for Turbotax State. With the different vendor code, there's also no evidence to the Department of Revenue that Turbotax was used for calculation and completion. I'd like the DOR to know that Intuit is failing to provide the 2-D barcode MO-1040. I'm also thinking it might make holding Intuit liable for any calculation or other errors more difficult.

I'm also not sure why this discussion is listed as "solved." Nothing has been solved here.

BrittanyS

What version of TurboTax are you using? If using TurboTax Desktop, have you updated your desktop software? I have ran a test and the barcodes are showing on the printed version of the return.

@BEL27

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BillM223

You need the 2-D barcode ONLY if you are not e-filing. This is because TurboTax does not send either a paper return nor a PDF of the return to the IRS.

Instead, TurboTax converts the Missouri tax return to an XML format, which is data and tag names to identify the data. There are no forms (like with shading, lines, and boxes) in the XML.

You are not required to have the 2-D bar code on the MO-1040, even if you paper-file. The state just suggests that it's a good idea.

The 2-D bar code is used on the MO1040 to carry all the data for your return. Missouri says (page 2),

"The software encodes all your tax information into a 2-D barcode, which allows your return to be processed with fewer errors compared to traditional paper returns."

So, since most taxpayers here e-file, the missing bar code is not a problem. After I post this, I will go see if I can determine if a return that is to be paper-filed has the bar code.

Edit [4/4/2025 1:16PST | added "not" to the first sentence]

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BEL27

@BillM223

The missing bar code for tax year 2024 is a problem for me and other Missouri tax payers who cannot e-file, so please don't say that it's not a problem because most taxpayers can e-file. It may not be a problem for you, but it is a problem for me. Per TurboTax: "Returns with form MO-TC Miscellaneous Income Tax Credits are not eligible for electronic filing. TurboTax does not support this information to be filed electronically. The good news is you can still print your Missouri return and file it by mail." I would far prefer to e-file.

You say that the 2-D barcode is needed only if you are e-filing, then you say that e-filing converts everything to XML data with no forms (no pdf, including shading, lines, and boxes) which suggests there's no place or need for a 2-D barcode in the electronically transmitted data/files. I'm sorry, but that's quite contradictory. The 2-D barcode is only for the paper forms, and its use is optional.

Yes, you are correct that a 2-D barcode is not required for Missouri filing, however TurboTax has included the 2-D barcode on the printed MO-1040 for at least tax years 2011 through 2023. I have found no information as to why it suddenly is missing this year, nor have been provided a satisfactory explanation in two long discussions with telephone support. I think everyone asking/commenting here is aware that the 2-D barcode is not a requirement for paper filing, but is helpful in avoiding errors as it bypasses manual data entry of the tax return data by Missouri Department of Revenue employees. It has also been unclear if Intuit will at some point add the 2-D barcode forms/capability with an update. I was told that the Missouri forms would likely be updated on or about Feb 27 with the 2-D barcode forms/support during my first customer support phone call. I would have just gone ahead and mailed my return without it, but I did want to give Intuit a chance to correct the underlying issue or update the forms before I did. Having e-file and 2-D barcode unavailable each reduce the value of TurboTax for me, leaving me more likely to seek alternatives. An additional problem new for this year is that TurboTax 2024 does not handle the combination of Federal e-filing and State mail filing as well as it did for tax year 2023. Now, once e-filing is chosen for the Federal return, no "Print my state return to file by mail now" option is offered. (Please don't say this is not a problem because most people e-file. I have found a fairly easy way to work around this and get the forms printed, but it still isn't TurboTax at its best.)

Someone-Else

+1 to everything that @BEL27 said. Some of us are required to file our Missouri returns on paper because we need forms not supported by e-filing. Intuit has removed the 2D barcodes that have appeared for years on printed returns, and those barcodes minimize or eliminate data entry errors at the DOR. We request that Intuit publicly commit to returning those barcodes, if not this year then next year. If that doesn't happen I will be joining others in looking for alternatives to TurboTax.