How can I create a correct 2020 Q2 941 form? QB incorrectly leaves Line 5a Column a blank, then prints with "DO NOT FILE" watermark, even after I add the correct data.

Hello there, rwslaura,

I'd like to correct what I've posted earlier.

The data in the Line 5a field are the taxable Social Security wages. QuickBooks supplies Column 1 from the wage base for Social Security minus the wage base tips. Column 2 is a calculated amount.

For more details, you can visit the link provide by my colleague below to know how QuickBooks populates the 941 form. 

To ensure you have the latest tax table, update it every time you pay employees. This will help you stay up to date and get forms.

Stay in touch if there's anything else you need by commenting below. I always have your back.

Thanks for trying to respond to my question, but the answer you gave does not relate to the question I asked.  I have NOT YET FILED 2020 Q2 941 form so I do NOT need to file an amended form. 

I just completed my June, 2020 payroll and am trying to create the print the ORIGINAL form.  When I create the 2020 Q2 941 form, line 5a Column 1 is BLANK. This is incorrect. it should contain the dollar amount of the taxable social security wages.  I can type in the correct amount, but they I try to print the 941 form to mail to the IRS, it prints with a watermark that says "DO NOT FILE".  I've made sure to update my payroll to the latest version. I've updated QuickBooks to the latest version.  No matter that I do, nothing resolves this issue. I am unable to file my ORIGINAL 2020Q2 941 form due to this issue. I've used QuickBooks for 17 years and this is the first time I've ever had a tax form problem.

Hello again, @rwslaura.

Thanks for providing detailed information about your concern. It was super helpful, and I feel like we are on the same page.

The quarter hasn't ended yet, that's why you're encountering these challenges. The 941 form filings are due on the last day of the month following the end of the quarter.

To check and confirm the filing deadline of your state, I recommend visiting our Payroll Tax Compliance website.

You can also check below articles to help you guide, with the Form filling of 941 and it's deadlines:

• How QuickBooks Populates the 941 
• Tax deadlines and important quarterly and year-end dates

Reach back out to me by commenting below if you have any questions concerning QuickBooks. I'm always here to help. Have a great day!

Thanks again, for trying to help, but you do NOT have to wait until after the end of the quarter to create 941 forms in Quickbooks. I've filed prior to the end of the month for many quarters, including Q1 of 2020, so I don't believe that is the problem.

The system is acting more like the 941 form is not final yet, even though it is final on the IRS web site and I am up to date with all my Quickbooks updates.

Thanks for trying to help me.  I know that line 5A column 1 SHOULD BE completed  by QuickBooks when the form is generated.

My problem, as originally stated, is the QuickBooks is NOT correctly filling in Line 5A column 1.  The field is  INCORRECTLY BLANK when I generate the 941 form.  I can manually enter the correct data into the field, but the form prints with DO NOT FILE as a watermark on the forms, so I cannot file the form.

I've confirmed that I am up to date with all system updates, so that is not the reason for the problem.

Let me share new details about the Form 941 for the second quarter, rwslaura. 

It looks like the IRS has published the draft of the Form 941 to be used for the rest of 2020. The update to the form takes into account the changes made by the Families First Coronavirus Response Act and the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act that added various types of payroll tax relief. You can access the draft here: https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-dft/f941--dft.pdf. 

Our Payroll Team is working with the final details that's going to be provided by the IRS. This is also the reason why you see the "DO NOT FILE" watermark when printing the form in QuickBooks. 

We'll post updates as soon as they become available. Let me know if you need anything else. 

I can confirm that I'm running into the SAME issue you described.  I placed a note under the following Quickbooks Pro help section:   941 2nd quarter - Latest tax version update caused field 5a (taxable social security wages) to be blank.

I'm waiting until the quickbooks development team addresses this issue 

After SIX HOURS on QB support chat, my issues are both fixed!    1)  The problem with the inactive payroll subscription was corrected by deleting a subscription file located in Program Files (X86) > Intuit> Quickbooks 2019.  Sadly (don't hate me) I didn't write down the name of the file, but it included the term "SUB" if you want to search for it.  After deleting the corrupted file, I ran a manual QB update which restored the file and cleared up the inactive subscription issue.

2) My second issue was that the Q2 941 form Line 5A Column 1 was incorrectly blank.  This was fixed as follows: a) Turn off all anti-virus software  2) Go to Help >Update Quickbooks Desktop >Click RESET UPDATE > Update Now.  The update will take a few minutes.  When it is done, log off QB and reboot.  When you sign back on QB do F2 and look at the version of the software (upper left are of the window).  You need to be on R12_68 to get the correct form.  It will not contain the "do not file" watermark and Line 5A will calculate correctly.

Hope this helps some others! 

Thank you Laura for following up with the Tech Team from Quickbooks Pro.  The latest Quickbooks Desktop update did the trick and I can print successfully Form 941 now.

Thank you again Laura.

Matt

Thank you rwslaura!  My version was R7-115 after resetting updates but my form printed correctly!! 

My 941 line 5a column 1 is still not populating.  This is after running updates.  I am running:

Tax table version 22012

Payroll version 06241217

Thank you very much for posting this rwslaura!  Something was definitely not right when the 941 showed an overpayment by $3k.  The update, log off, and reboot of the computer did the trick.  I got a different version than you on the update but it still fixed the problem.  I ran the form again and line 5a populated with a correct calculation.     

Try restarting your computer.

I'm having the same problem

I did the update as described below and my line 5a on Form 941 still does not populate. 

After updating both the software Deskpro Pro Plus 2020 and the payroll I'm showing that I have version R7_89. How do I update to the version mentioned in the response below?

thanks

Good day, leskeller.

I'm joining this thread so I can show you how to update your payroll tax table. You can follow these steps:

1. Go to the Employees menu and select Get Payroll Updates.
2. Check the Download Entire Update checkbox.
3. Select Download Latest Update.

You'll see a pop-up when the update is complete. Also, you can turn on the automatic update to make sure that your QuickBooks Desktop and payroll tax table is always updated. Please check this article and follow the Schedule future automatic updates steps: Update QuickBooks Desktop.

Additionally, these links will show you if your QuickBooks Desktop has the latest version already:

• Release notes for QuickBooks Desktop 2020
• Latest payroll news and updates

Once done, let's pull up again your 941 forms to see if everything's good.

I'll be here if you have other concerns. Wishing you all the best!

To lwslaura:    Thank you so much for your guide to fixing this problem.  I was on chat for over 5 hours yesterday and they finally said "We can not fix your problem.  Have a good day" and they disconnected!  You were such a blessing!  I wish I could "chat" with you the next time I have a problem!  Thank you again!

I am so frustrated with this!  I have the latest update, version 22012,  and STILL can't get the 941 to fill in Line 5 with the Social Security wages.  F2 tells me I have R6-91.   I've followed all the suggestions in this thread...with no luck.  Help!

I tried using your fix and updated quickbooks and payroll but I am still having this issue. the release I have now is R7-P anyone have any info on how to solve this

I do appreciate the steps you've performed to get the issue fixed, ff24.

It looks like you got the same thing after updating QuickBooks to its latest release and restarted your computer. I'd recommend getting in touch with us so we can further investigate why Line 5a is blank. 

Here's how to contact us:

1. Go to the Help menu and select QuickBooks Desktop Help. 
2. Click Contact Us and enter a brief description something like Form 941 line 5a is blank.
3. Then, click Continue and select a convenient way you can reach out to us either Call, Chat, or Get a callback.

You can also check out this article for more details on how QuickBooks Populates The 941.

I'm just around the corner if you need more help. You take care always and have a great day!

Thanks for your information!

After downloading the pr and desktop update a couple times, I rebooted and finally the problem is solved.  Why we had to reboot is beyond me!  QB at its finest??

Thanks for the info.

I had the same problem yesterday (7/30/2020) on Form 941.  I had updated payroll in QB right before I did the form and it still did not fill in the taxable wages.  I manually put in the number so my report should be correct, but that should not happen!  I'm now worried about other fields that use that same data.  Not good!!