Drake Tax - 1040: Name Exceeds 35 Characters

How to resolve EF Message 5131

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 names. If the combination of the first initial and last names 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.

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 Drake Tax - Name Conventions for IRS Matching for details.