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July 2, 2020
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Form 941 not opening

  • July 2, 2020
  • 13 replies
  • 0 views

I am trying to open Form 941 for Q2 2020 payroll tax reporting in QB desktop 2019.  This client had no payroll for Q2.  QB desktop will not open Form 941 saying that no employees were paid in that period.  I still need to file a zero Form 941.  Why won't QB open Form 941?  I have done the payroll update, so that's not the problem.

    Best answer by BigRedConsulting

    Someone at Intuit messed up and thought this a reasonable change to make, to stop you from being compliant and filing when you had no payroll. Support has been posting here trying to defend it.

     

    Their workaround for this bug - instead of just fixing it - is to create a dummy paycheck in the period and then void it.  Apparently then it's OK to create and empty 941.

    13 replies

    Show previous replies
    U
    UMDWildcat
    July 23, 2020

    So I'm still on hold for 41 minutes after calling to explain the same problem exactly.

    I did not try the run a payroll & void it as that's just crappy protocol.

    Did they ever get back to you or have you found a correction.  Wondering if I have to file them directly with the IRS to be on time for Q2 2020

     

    M
    mabcpa
    July 28, 2020

    It does not look like this was fixed, still not able to print a zero Form 941. Is this going to be fixed in the future? Just what accountants needed was more time for filing zero returns.

      T
      timd1971
      July 28, 2020

      It finally worked for me...  are you sure you UPDATED Quickbooks ALSO, not just payroll?  After QB (desktop version) update, it worked... no dummy check monkey business involved.

        A
        Admin8
        April 15, 2021

        this is what comes up when  click on forms, the file you specified cannot be opened make sure its not being used by another program or read only file

         

        The window error was 'the file exists.

         

        J
        JonpriL
        April 15, 2021

        Hello @Admin8,

         

        Let's make sure you've installed the latest release for QuickBooks and used the latest payroll tax table so you can pull up and review your 941 Forms. Let me show you how.

        1. Go to Help.
        2. Select Update QuickBooks Desktop.
        3. Under Overview, select Update Now.
        4. Click Get Updates.

        In addition, here's an article you can read to learn more about how you can update and install the latest release: Update QuickBooks Desktop to the latest release.

         

        Once done, here's how you can update your payroll tax table:

        1. Go to Employees.
        2. Select Get Payroll Updates.
        3. Click Update.

        To add, I've got you this helpful article for ideas about updating your payroll tax table: Get the latest payroll tax table update.

         

        Lastly, I've got you this helpful article so you can keep up with the latest payroll compliance mandated by your local and national agency: Payroll Tax Compliance Links.

         

        Keep me posted in the comments if you have any other questions. I'll be here to lend a hand. Stay safe!

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