E-file – mandate for business taxpayers

Partnerships must e-file if they meet all three of these conditions:

• Prepare tax documents themselves, without the assistance of a tax professional;
• Use approved e-file tax software to prepare their return or extension; and
• Have broadband internet access.

Corporations must e-file if they meet all three of these conditions:

• Prepare tax documents themselves, without the assistance of a tax professional;
• Use approved e-file tax software to prepare their return, or use a computer to prepare, document or calculate an extension or estimated tax payment; and
• Have broadband internet access.

Sales tax vendors must Web file if they meet all three of the following conditions:

• Prepare tax documents themselves, without the assistance of a tax professional;
• Use a computer to prepare, document or calculate the required filings or related schedules, or are subject to the corporation tax e-file mandate; and
• Have broadband internet access.

Mandated taxpayers must e-file and e-pay corporation tax estimated tax payments (Form CT-400) starting December 1, 2011

Make estimated tax payments using either of these methods:

• Software
  You can use e-file software to pay as long as your software supports it. You can pay by ACH debit or ACH credit.
• Online Services account
  You can pay through your Online Services account without the need for additional software. You can pay by ACH debit or ACH credit.

Additional penalties for failure to e-file certain returns on or after January 1, 2012

If you or your preparer are required to file a tax document electronically and instead file on paper, you're subject to the following penalties:

• $50 penalty for each tax document not electronically filed
• $50 penalty for failure to pay electronically
• failure to file penalty (for that tax type).

In addition, any overpayment claimed on a return that was required to be electronically filed won't be eligible to receive interest until the document is filed electronically.

What must be electronically filed?

E-file partnership returns (including IT-204-LL) and extensions

If you use approved e-file software to prepare your return or extension, and the software supports electronic filing of your return you are required to electronically file.

You must pay the amount due on Form IT-204-LL by and ACH debit authorized with your electronically filed return. To authorize the ACH debit, follow the instructions provided by your software.

Calendar year filers can file an extension directly on our Web site without the need of additional software.

E-file corporation tax returns

If you use approved e-file software to prepare your return, and the software supports electronic filing of your return you are required to electronically file.

We don't support the e-filing of certain Article 9, 32, and 33 corporation tax returns and certain attachments. However, you must still e-file the extension and estimated tax payments for those returns.

If you have multiple corporate transactions, provide the transaction detail in one of these ways:

• enter each transaction into the software and, if your software allows it, import the data, or,
• transmit a PDF attachment(s) that includes the detail with the e-filed return.

Pay the amount due on your software prepared, electronically filed corporation tax return by ACH debit, ACH credit, or by check. To pay by check:

• Use Form CT-200-V, Payment Voucher for E-Filed Corporation Tax Returns and Extensions.
• Your software will produce form CT-200-V when you prepare your return or extension.

E-file corporation tax extensions and estimated tax (Articles 9, 9-A, 32 and 33)

E-file all corporation tax extensions and estimated tax using one of the following options:

• Software
  • Submit extensions and estimated tax using approved e-file software, if your software supports that form.
  • Pay the amount due on your extension by ACH debit, ACH credit, or paper check with Form CT-200-V Payment Voucher for E-Filed Corporation Tax Returns and Extensions.
  • Your software will produce form CT-200-V when you prepare your extension.
  • Pay your estimated tax by by ACH debit or ACH credit.
• Online Services
• File and pay through your Online Services account without the need of additional software. Pay by ACH debit or ACH credit.

Corporations must e-file extensions even if they can't e-file the associated tax return.

Sales tax filers must Web File

To Web file your sales tax return:

• Create an Online Services account
• Log in and select Sales Tax Web File