The reporting agent is showing up on some qb files and not on others?

Good afternoon, @Debbie67.

I'm happy to help you with file reports, but first I need to gather a bit more information.

Since you're trying to open the file on different computers, do they all have the accountant version installed on them? If they don't, opening the file in a standard Desktop version could be why the reporting agent form isn't showing up.

If all the computers have the accountant version, I suggest accessing Desktop as the Administrator and opening the file then. To do this, you can right-click on the QuickBooks icon and choose Run as Administrator. After the program loads, try opening the file again. 

Please let me know if this does the trick. I'll keep an eye out for your response.

@Anna S 

Re: Since you're trying to open the file on different computers, do they all have the accountant version installed on them?

The QB version has nothing to do with seeing these fields.  The Payroll subscription does.

@Debbie67 

If you have subscribed to Enhanced Payroll for Accountants, and you open a client file and the client has a different payroll subscription (such as Basic payroll or the standard Enhanced Payroll), then you will see the fields.

If you're on a computer where you have not used your Enhanced Payroll for Accountants - you have not validated it by connecting to get payroll updates (such as from withing your primary company file) then you won't see the fields - unless the client also has EP4A.

I expect this is what you're seeing.

I have QuickBooks Premier Accountant Desktop 2020 with Enhanced Payroll and the 941 for reporting agents is not showing up for me to file. Any suggestions?

I have the QuickBooks Premier Accountant Desktop 2020 with Enhanced Payroll and I am unable to see the form 941 form for reporting agents. Any suggestions?

Thanks for letting us know your QuickBooks version, jaccpa13.

Let’s download the latest QuickBooks release to fix known issues in the product. Then, update the tax table version so you’ll have the most current rates and calculations for supported payroll tax forms (state and federal).

To update the release:

1. Go to the Help menu at the top to choose Update QuickBooks Desktop.
2. Press the Update Now tab to mark the box for Reset Update. This will clear out the previous downloads.
3. Tap Get Updates and then click OK to confirm the action.
4. Once the download completes, close and reopen QuickBooks to kick off the installation.

To update the tax table:

1. Press the Employees menu at the top and select Get payroll Updates.
2. Mark the radio-button for Download entire payroll updates and hit the Update button.

Next, go back to the File Forms window and look for the tax return. If the 941 form for reporting agent is still missing, I recommend running the Verify Data and Rebuild Data Utilities.

This tool allows QuickBooks to self-identify data integrity issues that can cause unusual behaviors and resolve them. Check out Verify and Rebuild Data in QuickBooks Desktop guide for detailed instructions. It also outlines the steps on how to check for remaining data damage.

For additional resources, the following links provide an overview of setting up the automatic updates and installing the tax table from a CD.

• Get the latest payroll tax table update
• Update QuickBooks

Stay in touch if you have any other concerns or questions. I’ll be right here to answer them for you. Have a good one.

Thank you for your response and assistance. I have completed all these steps and still do not see the 941 for reporting agents form

See screenshot of my QuickBooks attached.

Good day, jaccpa13. I'm here to assist you in filing payroll forms.

First of all, I'd like to thank you for providing a screenshot. We can run the repair tool to fix any error with QuickBooks Desktop which could be the reason why you can't pull up the reporting agent forms. Before following the steps below, make sure to back up your company file.

1. Restart your computer. Go to the Windows Start menu, then select Control Panel.
2. Select Programs and Features, then Uninstall a Program ( or Programs > Program and Features).
3. Locate and select QuickBooks, then Uninstall/Change.
4. Select Continue or Next > Repair > Next.
5. Once it's done, select Finish.

Once done, let's go and see if you can now pull up the 941 for Reporting Agents. If the same thing happens, please reach out to our Customer Support Team to check what's causing this issue. From the Help menu, click on QuickBooks Desktop Help, then Contact us.

I've added these articles for more details on how to successfully file forms for reporting agents:

• E-file tax returns for clients

• Become an Authorized e-file Provider

I'll be right here if you need further assistance. Have a great day! Keep safe!

What if you are processing just the payroll reports (941, etc.) for clients as their Reporting Agent but they run their own payroll with their own desktop subscription.  I go through this everytime with one particular client I work with where I only file their payroll reports I do not process their payroll.  I guess I just add my subscription # to that particular file?  

This time I'm getting an error code 20925 27699

I can provide some insights about the error codes you received, @dso0216.

Error codes can occur in various situations when:

• Attempting to open a company file
• Closing a company file
• Creating a company file
• Downloading a payroll update
• Saving a transaction
• Sending payroll via Direct Deposit
• Using the Open Previous Company feature

Rest assured, I'm here to help you get around this issue. Let's make sure your QuickBooks Desktop (QBDT) software is updated to the latest release. This way, we can ensure the program is equipped with the newest features and fixes. Let me show you how.

Before we proceed, create a backup of your company file in case we run into issues. Once done, you can now follow these steps:

1. Go to the Help menu and select Update QuickBooks Desktop.
2. Select the Update Now tab. 
3. Click Get Updates to start the download.
4. When the download finishes, restart QuickBooks.
5. Then accept the option to install the new release.

You can also check this link for more details: Update QuickBooks Desktop to the latest release.

Once done, ensure to download the latest payroll tax table to stay compliant with paycheck calculations. 

If the issue persists, you can refer to these links for additional troubleshooting steps: 

• Unrecoverable Error: General Troubleshooting Steps
• Unrecoverable error in QuickBooks Desktop

Once you're all set, you can check this article for guidance in adding your payroll service key to your clients' file (see the Enter the service key in QuickBooks Desktop section for the details): Activate QuickBooks Desktop Payroll.

Let me know in your reply if you have other queries managing payroll reports. It's always my pleasure to help. Have a good one!

" you're on a computer where you have not used your Enhanced Payroll for Accountants - you have not validated it by connecting to get payroll updates (such as from withing your primary company file) then you won't see the fields - unless the client also has EP4A." - This is my exact issue! 

How do I get the QuickBooks desktop to recognize that I am an accountant with the enhanced payroll subscription even though my client has basic. Our IT had to remove and re-add this version to my computer to repair it and now it doesn't recognize me as the accountant when trying to run payroll forms. Specifically Enterprise Solutions: Accountant 20.0. I have updated payroll and updated the QB version. I can't view any payroll forms and the "reporting agent" option is not available. When I click on "Manage filing methods" I get the message "E-file is available only for employers who have an active subscription to QuickBooks Enhanced Payroll." 

I'll help rectify this issue, acarlton.

Once you open the file on a computer where you've validated your payroll subscription, the functionalities of your payroll plan will take over as you file their tax forms. To isolate this issue, you can revalidate your service key by entering them again. Doing this process will refresh your payroll subscription. I'll show you how:

1. Go to Employee menu.
2. Choose My Payroll Service, then select Manage Service Key.
3. In the QuickBooks Service Keys window, click Edit and then enter your service key.
4. Select Next, then Hit Finish.
5. Click OK.

Once done, update your payroll tax table again to get the most current calculations for supported state and federal taxes, payroll tax forms, and e-file/e-pay options. However, if the same thing happens, I'd recommend contacting our technical supports so we can look into your account and investigate this issue. Here's how:

1. Go to the Help menu.
2. Choose QuickBooks Desktop Help.
3. Select Contact Us.
4. Enter "Unable to view any payroll forms and the Reporting Agent option." in the description box.
5. Click Let's talk, and then choose a way to connect.

Lastly, I encourage reading this article to be guided in electronically filing federal payroll tax forms as an accountant on behalf of your clients: E-file tax returns for clients.

Just click the Reply button below if you have any other concerns or further questions. The Community always has your back.

I am having the same issue.  The accountant information can't be filled in, I can't select the Reporting Agent form as it is not listed.  

Thanks for joining the thread, @NJWelles. I'll assist you in resolving this problem.

You can consider revalidating your payroll subscription to isolate this issue. Doing this will refresh your payroll subscription. For steps, you can refer to my colleague @KlentB's post.

If the issue persists, I'd suggest contacting our support team. This way, a representative can check your account and investigate to find out the root cause of the problem. To begin, these are the steps:

1. Go to the Help menu.
2. Choose QuickBooks Desktop Help.
3. Select Contact Us.
4. Enter a brief description of your concern.
5. Click Let's talk, and then choose a way to connect.

Here are some articles for future reference:

• Unrecoverable error in QuickBooks Desktop
• Get the latest payroll tax table update

Feel free to visit us again if you need more help in accomplishing your QuickBooks-related tasks. Rest assured, we are always ready to assist you. Have a good one!

Same thing for me.  It used to work for this client, and it works for all my other clients, but now the Reporting Agent option does not appear when I try to change the filing method.  We had to paper file in January, but I really  need this fixed.

Hello there, @GingerTexas. I appreciate you doing the steps provided by my colleagues above. Since you can't see the Reporting Agent option, I recommend trying the steps given by one of my colleagues, @KlentB, to revalidate your subscription. It will bring your payroll subscription up to date. 

You can get the most up-to-date calculations for supported state and federal taxes, payroll tax forms, and e-file/e-pay options. Update your payroll tax table again.

If this happens again, I recommend contacting our technical support team so that we can look into your account and analyze the problem. Here's how:

1. Startup QuickBooks.
2. Select QuickBooks Desktop Help from the Help menu.
3. Choose Contact Us.
4. You can give a brief explanation of your concern.
5. Choose Let's talk and a connection method.

Additionally, you can check our article about an unrecoverable error in QuickBooks Desktop.

Feel free to click the Reply button below if you have additional questions about managing payroll reports. I'm always here to help.

I just got off the phone with Quickbooks support...had to call 3 times.  The first was worthless, as she would not even talk to me since my  name was not attached the the client's EIN. The 2nd was helpful and found a workaround by activating the client under my payroll subscription with a new payroll service key so I could e-file as Reporting Agent.  I then had to change the service key back to my client's number, but it would not validate, as they had deactivated the client's service key. Call #3 had them activate the client's service key again. While I am relieved I was actually able to e-file, this really is a hassle. I used to be able to merely open the client's QB file in my Accountant's version of QB desktop and Reporting Agent appeared!  Why did QB change this very effective method of filing quarterly reports?  If this was an "update" within QB, it is a fail, and really should be changed back. 

I hope we don't have to go through this hassle every quarter to e-file our returns.  Please udpate QB so that as reporting agents we can again file using our accountant version. 

Did anyone get any resolve to this? 

Update:  My client called stating he kept getting an error when trying to download his payroll update.  After several attempts, including restarting computer, downloading update for QB, verify, rebuild, checking his camps QB account and even transferring QB file to my computer and trying update with my accountant's edition, nothing worked. He finally had to call support and apparently because he had 2 payroll subscriptions tied to his QB file, it would not perform the update.  So even the "workaround" is no longer a "workaround", as I do not intend to put my client through that again. What a mess!!

Hi there, TYoung2000.

Thank you for visiting the QuickBooks Community. This isn't the kind of impression that I'd like you to have, and we know how much time it can take when something isn’t working the way you need it. This is why we make great efforts to deliver customer satisfaction at all times and to fix an issue as soon as possible.

If the issue persists after following the troubleshooting steps above, I encourage you to get in touch with our Customer Care Team. They have additional tools to pull up your account and investigate this further. They can also create a new investigation and once it has been opened, you’ll be receiving an email notification about the updates and progress.

Here's how to reach them:

1. Open QuickBooks.
2. Go to Help, then select QuickBooks Desktop Help.
3. Select Contact Us.
4. Give a brief description of your issue, then select Let's talk, and then choose a way to connect. Phone support may be limited due to volume.

Additionally, here’s an article that you can use for your future guidance on how to fix unrecoverable errors in QuickBooks Desktop.

Keep your post coming if you have more questions about managing payroll reports. It's always my pleasure to help. Have a good one!

I'm having the same issue with just one client. I went through all the steps listed twice, the 941 for reporting agent is still not there. I guess I will snail mail until QB can add the Reporting Agent forms across the board for all users all the time.

apparently this is still an issue.  accountant trying to make progress by efiling as reporting agent for multiple clients.  The problem is that you can see the reporting agent forms on one workstation, but then when you open it up on other workstations, it is not there.  Here are the things we have done so far with no success:

1.run as administrator

2. make sure updates are installed

3. download entire payroll update

4. the payroll subscriptions are all enhanced.

5. uninstalled qbooks and reinstalled

6. tried to run company from local and network

HELP!  This is so maddening.

 Hi there, @amyjaelou22.

I appreciate you taking all the troubleshooting steps provided above. Since the issue persists, I encourage you to contact our support team. They can investigate this further to know the cause of the issue. 

Here's how: 

1. Open QuickBooks.
2. Select the Help menu, and then choose QuickBooks Desktop Help.
3. Click Contact Us.
4. Give a brief description of your issue, then select Let's talk.
5. Lastly, choose a way to connect with us.

You can also check out our support hours to ensure that we address your concerns on time.

I've added these articles for more details on how to successfully file forms for reporting agents:

• E-file tax returns for clients
• Become an Authorized e-file Provider

Keep on posting here if you have additional concerns. We'll respond as soon as we can.

This is STILL an issue. Maybe if we all give up and snail mail the 941 the IRS will put pressure on Quickbooks to get this fixed!!!

Maddening, frustrating, time consuming ... Drake accounting software is looking better and better for my client needs.