Resolution:

Alabama must send the Alabama standalone return from inside the Consolidated Group. This is a change from prior years and is a result of the new Alabama business rule requiring the Federal Consolidated XML file to be included with the Alabama standalone return. Alabama has not rescinded the previous business rule requiring the PDF copies and so the diagnostic requiring those is still present and needs to be cleared.  

• Note:  If the client ID contains letters, all letters must be in uppercase.  If they are not, the customer will need to change the client ID to all uppercase letters.  Numbers are allowed also but any letters must be in uppercase prior to release version 2017.05000. Please confirm that all client ID's are in uppercase by reviewing the client ID in the Return Group tab.

The returns must be exported from the consolidated return.  

The steps to successfully e-file the Alabama stand alone returns from a return included in the Federal consolidated return are as follows:

In the parent/subsidiary returns via the return group tab, do the following:

1. Go to the Common State/City > State / City Common Data worksheet.
2. Select Section 1 - General Information.
   • ​In Line 1 - State/City code, use the lookup value (double-click or press F4) to select AL - Alabama.
3. Select Section 4 - Consolidated/Combined Return Information.
   • In Line 2 - Parent's name, enter the name of parent return. 
   • In Line 3 - Parent's FEIN number, enter the federal employer identification number of the parent return.
   • In Line 9 - Member of a consolidated/combined or affiliated group, use the lookup value (double-click or press F4) to select Not a member.
   • In Line 10 - Member of federal consolidated but not for state, use the lookup value (double-click or press F4) to select Yes.​
     • Alabama Form 20C, Page 1, This company files as part of a consolidated federal return (at top of form), is required to be checked for stand-alone returns.
4. Clear any disqualifying electronic filing diagnostics.
   • If diagnostic 43912 issues, it is because Alabama has changed the required name for the PDF required for "1552ELECTIONCALCULATIONS" to "1552a1".  Your PDF for this diagnostic will need to be renamed to the 1552a1.pdf and you will need to contact support for the diagnostic override code.
   • If you are filing Alabama from the Parent return, you will need to contact support for the Upload Override code.  This will need to be issued because you will be filing another return with the same FEIN as the consolidated return and with a different client ID. 
   • For more information, see our article reviewing, clearing, and signing off on diagnostics in CCH Axcess™ Tax, CCH® Global fx Tax, and CCH® ProSystem fx® Tax.
5. Go to the General > Electronic Filing worksheet.
6. Select Section 1 - General.
   • In Line 1 - Electronically file the federal return and enable electronic file for return types selected below, enter Y.
   • ​In Line 12 - Do not transmit federal return/extension at this time, select the check box. 
7. Select Section 4 - State Electronic Filing Options.
   • In Line 1 - Alabama, enter Y.
   • In Lines 2-44 - File State Electronically, enter N in states (as applicable). 
   • In Lines 45-47 - Other Electronic Filing, enter N (as applicable).
   • In Lines 48-50 - City Electronic Filing, enter N (as applicable).
8. Calculate the return.
9. Repeat these steps for every return filing an Alabama stand alone return in the consolidated group.
10. Repeat step 3 in every return NOT filing Alabama stand alone returns, with the exception of entering N for Alabama in those returns not filing Alabama.

In the top consolidated return, do the following:

1. Go to the General > Electronic Filing worksheet.
2. Select Section 1 - General.
   • ​In Line 12 - Do not transmit federal return/extension at this time, do not select the check box.
3. Select Section 4 - State Electronic Filing Options. 
   • In Line 1 - Alabama, enter Y.
   • In Lines 2-44 - File State Electronically, enter N in states (as applicable). 
   • In Lines 45-47 - Other Electronic Filing, enter N (as applicable)
   • In Lines 48-50 - City Electronic Filing, enter N (as applicable)
4. Verify that Alabama does not exist in the top consolidated return.
5. Clear any disqualifying electronic filing diagnostics.
   • If diagnostic 47349 issues, you will need to contact support for the Diagnostic Override code. All other level 4 diagnostics must be cleared.  
   • For more information, see our article reviewing, clearing, and signing off on diagnostics in CCH Axcess™ Tax, CCH® Global fx Tax, and CCH® ProSystem fx® Tax.
6. Calculate the return.
7. Go to File > Export > Electronic filing > Return. You will see the consolidated tree listing all of the returns in the consolidated group, with only AL listed under those entities filing the standalone Alabama return.  

8. Click OK.
9. The following window will appear:

10. Close the window using the red X at top-right of the window.
11. The following window will appear for each parent or subsidiary return in step 7 above with AL underneath the client ID.

12. Click OK  > Upload and hold the return.
13. Open Electronic Filing Status.
14. Release the parent and/or subsidiary Alabama returns located under each stand alone return ID. 
    • For steps on releasing returns, please see our related article, How do I release a return to the tax authority for electronic filing using CCH Axcess™, CCH® Global fx, or CCH® ProSystem fx® Tax?