How do I electronically file a Michigan return while suppressing the Federal return?
Suppress the federal e-filing:
- Within the return, select the federal EF Selections screen and check the box Do NOT send Federal.
Select Michigan form(s) for stand-alone transmission:
- Under STATE E-FILE OVERRIDE, use the drop list in any box under Select other states/cities to e-file to select MI - Michigan 1040 and all applicable CR forms.
Note: For MI stand-alone e-file authorization, use either "Shared Secrets" on MI screen EF1 or complete the MI-8453 (see below).
If you e-file your Federal and Michigan returns, Michigan will accept the Federal signature (Form 8879). If you are not able to e-file your Federal and Michigan returns at the same time, you can e-file your Michigan return separately (stand-alone e-file). If you choose to stand-alone e-file, then the Electronic Signature Alternative (ESA, on the EF1 screen) or paper MI-8453 must be used to sign your return. MI stand-alone returns that are filed by a preparer with or without a Michigan income tax return (MI-1040) may be authorized for e-filing.
- using the taxpayer's "shared secrets",
or
Shared Secrets
"Shared secrets" are taxpayer data used to authorize e-filing for a MI stand-alone e-filing. "Shared secrets" consist of the Social Security number, previous year's adjusted gross income (AGI) or household income (HHI), and the previous year's tax due or refund amount, for both primary and secondary taxpayers. The social security number will flow from the federal return, but the other data must be keyed on the MI EF1. "Shared secrets" are effectively a stand-alone substitute for the federal PIN.
- If you use the ESA to sign your return, you do not need to complete Form MI-8453.
Form MI-8453
If the EF1 screen is not completed (above), a MI stand-alone filing that is ready to transmit will generate an MI-8453, which you should print, sign, and retain for 6 years.
The Michigan Treasury does not require Form MI-8453, Michigan Individual Income Tax Declaration for Electronic Filing, to be mailed. It is recommended that all preparers keep the MI-8453 for the statutory period (6 years). If taxpayers e-file their returns without using a preparer, they may want to keep the MI-8453 with the copy of their tax return for the statutory period.