Form 941 not opening

Thank you!  Will they ever learn what's it is like in real life?

I'm having the same problem.  Did that work for you? 

Is QB's going to fix the issue with filing forms regardless of payroll?

I had payroll in this quarter I am not sure what is it doing.  Thank you

QB, please fix this.  We have a complicated payroll that is more really than Quickbooks can handle.  We have made it work for several years, but you keep making changes that make it more and more difficult for us.  How difficult can it be to remove the change?  I need to be able to get into the form and enter the correct numbers.  Processing dummy payrolls for 14 accounts is time I don't have.

I had payroll this past quarter.  I am trying to print off this past quarters 941.  It keeps saying The form will be available soon please check back later.  It has never said that.  

I have Quickbooks Online for 2 accounts and have not been able to file the 941 forms.  The taxes have all been paid.  What is causing this and is it being worked on?

Hello every one,

I appreciate all of you for taking the time to post this matter to our page. Let me share some information on why you're getting this message in QuickBooks.

There are changes to the forms due to the CARES Act. It’s taking a little longer to update the system to ensure compliance with the IRS.

The Q2 2020 941is included as one of the blocked forms, which means it's unavailable and still being validated. That's the reason you received the message. Our team is currently working and doing the best to release it as soon as possible.

You can check out this article for more information: Forms unavailable (blocked) - Federal and State Forms.

If you’d like to submit the form now, you can visit the IRS website to file it manually. I’ve attached this link, so you have a reference on how QuickBooks Online and Desktop populates the lines on Form 941. It also has a detailed explanation of each line.

For QuickBooks Desktop user, I highly recommend updating your version and payroll tax table to the latest release. So you always have the latest features and fixes: Update QuickBooks Desktop to the latest release.

Know that our team is striving hard to make this form available once the preparation is complete. If you have other questions, don't hesitate to post here. I’m here to lend a hand. Keep safe everyone.

Q2 2020 941 generates fine when there are wages being reported, but gives an error and doesn't even try to open when no paychecks were run yet during the year.  What you said can't be true with the above also happening.  We need a blank 941 with a zero on top to just show up.  Literally, the easiest payroll report ever run, that you decided to block.

Yes, please fix this issue. I also cannot open the Form 941 due to no payroll activity for Q2.

This cannot be true. I created the 941 no problem yesterday for our account. The problem really needs to be fixed for blank 941s for another business I do payroll for.

I have sent QB several messages stating form 941 won't populate and generate a zero wages paid for this quarter.  Nothing seems to have been done to rectify the problem.  I need to file this form to remain compliant.  Is anyone at QB looking at these posts?

Hello, @robinz46.

The form is already available in QuickBooks Desktop. If you're experiencing issues, you can update your QuickBooks to the newest release and get the latest payroll tax table update. For your guide, check out these articles:

• Update QuickBooks Desktop to the latest release
• Get the latest payroll tax table update

However, the form is temporarily blocked in QuickBooks Online. Rest assured our engineers are now working to provide the form as quickly as possible so customers can file it through QuickBooks. While they're finding a fix, you can go to the IRS website and manually fill out a 941 return. This way you can print or download the form then mail it to the Federal Agency.

For now, I also encourage reaching out to our Support Team and have them attach your case to INV-45584 so they can add your account information to the notification list.

To contact support, tap on Contact us from the Help menu.

If you have any other questions, mention me in the comment section below. I'll get back to you as quickly as possible. Keep safe!

I just tried to generate this report in QB desktop and still continue to receive the message regarding there not being any employees in Q2 2020 and yes, I have updated payroll

The form is available but still not functional for those needing to file a $0 Form 941.  This is extremely important as, without filing them, the IRS thinks the employer is not filing and paying taxes. We have had an agent show up at two different clients' doors for this very reason. The solution is to file a $0 Form 941. It is best e-filed because that way we have an electronic record of the form being submitted and accepted.

Will this be fixed soon? The idea of putting in dummy data for a paycheck is very bad because payroll is one of the things we don't "mess around with."

Thank you.

Liz Alexander CPA

817-808-4934

I'm having the same problem - QB2020 refuses to generate a Form 941 because I had no payroll in Q2.

I've updated QB2020 to the latest version, and also updated the payroll info. Still doesn't work.

Since we are required to file Form 941 even if there is no payroll activity, my Quickbooks payroll subscription is NON-COMPLIANT with IRS regulations. Note to the QB team - if you are not going to keep your payroll services compliant with IRS regulations, I will be requesting a refund for my payroll subscription.

Yep!  ME too...won't generate blank 941...*SIGH* QB creating problems where there were none....job security....hope this gets fixed by 07/31/20

Yes same problem here.   

At least I'm not the only one.  But we have dozens of payroll clients and this will take forever for those S Corps who only run their payroll at the end of the year

Same here. I do hope this is fixed by 7/31/20. 

Hey there, @CMRowland. 

Thanks for following the thread. Let me share some information with you. 

I've checked on the investigation provided by my colleague above. I found that our engineering team has closed it as resolved on 7/13/2020. Since you're still experiencing the issue, I recommend contacting support, providing them with INV-45584, and letting them know you're still unable to access the form. This way, the engineering team can conduct further investigation. I've included the steps for contacting support below. 

1. Open QuickBooks. 

2. From the Help menu at the top, choose QuickBooks Desktop Help. 

3. In the search bar, enter Contact Us. Then, click on the Contact Us icon at the bottom. 

4. Choose which method you wish to speak with support (Chat, Callback, Etc.).

Take a look at the Support Hours to know the best time to get in touch. 

Let me know if you have additional questions or concerns. Feel free to reach out to the Community any time. Wishing you and your business continued success. Take care!

You can add me to the list of those unable to print payroll tax returns showing no payroll for the quarter. Thanks to Covid-19 there are more businesses without payroll than ever before. Form 941 must still be filed and it is ridiculous that QuickBooks would make a change that does not recognize this. We have less than two weeks to complete all of our payroll tax returns and it is not working with no indication of a fix being in the works.  

I have received a message from QB Support stating this issue has been closed. I still cannot create a zero payroll 941 form to file. Support says to contact them if I am still experiencing this issue.  Has anyone been able to create and file a zero 941 form since 7/17/20? I am just trying to figure out if QB is going to fix this issue or just sweep it under the rug. I have another program I can use to file the return if I need to.