Drake Tax - 1040: EF Message 5227 or 5440 - No Wages on Return

How to clear EF Message 5227 and 5440

EF Messages generate when there is no amount in box 1 of one or more screens W2.

• A return containing Form W2 with only sick pay (Form W-2, box 12, code J) can be e-filed by selecting box 13 Sick Pay on the W2 screen to clear EF Message 5227.

• A return containing Form W2 with only combat pay (Form W-2, box 12, code Q) can be e-filed by selecting the appropriate Special Processing Code for Active Military on screen MISC to clear EF Message 5440.

Otherwise, if Form W-2 does not report wages (box 1 is blank), the return cannot be e-filed; it must be paper-filed.