How do I clear EF message 5131? I am entering the taxpayer names as they appear on their social security cards.
The software will attempt to shorten the names for e-filing purposes by limiting the characters to the first initial of each first name and the last name(s). If the combination of the first initial and last name(s) still exceeds 35 characters, you must manually adjust the data entry to decrease the number of characters. The total number of characters includes spaces and the ampersand. For example, the software attempts to shorten these names, however, the total still exceeds 35 characters:
EF message 5131 generates with some possible solutions:
- Use initials for second given (middle) name.
- Delete any middle initials.
- Use only initials for spouse's given name.
- Use only initials for primary taxpayer's given name.
Ensure that you have not entered a middle name in the last name field, For taxpayers with two last names, the IRS only uses one name for the name control; see Related Links below for details. Note that if both taxpayer and spouse are deceased, the character limit is 25 characters.
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