Blocked Filings Report
Identify and resolve tax filing blockers quickly using Check's Blocked Filings Report.
Blocked Filings Report
Identify and resolve tax filing blockers efficiently with Check's Blocked Filings Report.
What is a Blocked Filing?
A blocked filing occurs when a tax return cannot be submitted to the agency due to missing or incorrect information that must be resolved before Check can file on the employer's behalf. Unlike a failed filing — where a return has been submitted and rejected by the agency — a blocked filing is identified before submission, preventing the return from entering the filing queue.
Common reasons for a blocked filing include missing or unvalidated tax account numbers, incomplete Third Party Administrator (TPA) assignments, and outstanding information required from the employer. When a filing is blocked, Check will notify the partner and provide guidance on the steps needed to clear the blocker and proceed with filing.
What is the Blocked Filings Report?
The Blocked Filings Report provides a comprehensive list of employers with outstanding filing blockers, the associated tax agency and jurisdiction, and the reason the filing has been held. The report is available in CSV format and is designed to help partners proactively identify and address blockers before or during the filing window.
This information is also available for each company on their Tax Filings page in Console.
Report Columns
Below are the column headings and definitions found in the report:
Column Heading | Definition |
Company ID | Employer public ID |
Company Legal Name | IRS registered legal name |
Year | Calendar year of the filing |
Period | Period of filing; typically a quarter or year |
Label | Description of the tax filing |
Due At | When the filing is due |
Document | The internal ID for the tax return |
Status | Showing the blocked status of the return |
Blocker Reasons | Additional detail on the blocker reasons |
Blocked At | The date the return was moved to blocked status |
Filing Attempts | Number of attempts Check has made to file the return |
Blocker Reasons
Blocker Reason | Definition | Employer resolution | Removing blocker |
Applied for Tax ID | The company has not yet registered for a tax account or has not provided the account number to Check. | The employer should register with the agency and add the account number in Console. | Automatically when issue is resolved |
Already Filed | The filing was rejected by the agency because it had already been filed — typically by the prior payroll provider or by the company directly. | Confirm the prior filing with the agency or prior provider and gather proof of filing. | Submit a Zendesk ticket to Check. |
Company in Bad Standing | The company has an unresolved failed debit or another outstanding issue that prevents Check from filing on their behalf. | Resolve the outstanding issue with Check (e.g., fund the failed debit). | Automatically when issue is resolved |
Held by Customer | The company has requested a hold on the filing. | The employer should confirm they are ready to proceed with the filing. | Manually via Console or API |
Inactive Account | The tax account number on file is invalid or the agency has closed the account due to inactivity. | The employer must validate the account number. If accurate, the employer should contact the agency to reactivate the account. | Manually via Console or API |
Incorrect Account Setup | The tax ID provided is invalid, or the full setup was not completed with the agency (e.g., deposit schedule, frequency assignment, or registration step). | The employer should confirm the full setup is complete with the agency. | Manually via Console or API |
Invalid SSN | One or more employees on the filing have SSNs that are not accepted by the agency. | The employer should correct the affected employee SSNs in Console. | Manually via Console or API |
Invalid Tax ID | The agency does not recognize the tax ID provided by the company as valid or associated with that company. | The employer should verify the correct tax ID with the agency and update it in Console. | Manually via Console or API |
Invalid Tax Rate | The tax rate on file in Console does not match the rate the agency has on record for the company. | The employer should confirm the correct rate with the agency (e.g., from the most recent rate notice) and update it in Console. | Manually via Console or API |
Late Company Reactivation | The company was reactivated on Check after the filing month, so the filing could not be prepared in the normal cycle. | Contact Check so the filing can be reviewed and resubmitted. | Submit a Zendesk ticket to Check. |
Missing Historical Data | A state may require the tax return to reflect each tax payment made to them in the quarter. If the filing does not reconcile to those payments, the agency will reject the return. | Provide prior payment history and any agency-provided records (notices, confirmations, deposit history) for the period so Check can reconcile and refile. | Submit a Zendesk ticket to Check. |
Missing Prior Quarter | A prior quarter was not filed with the agency, and the agency will not accept filings for later periods until that prior return is filed. | The employer (or prior provider) must file the outstanding prior-period return with the agency. | Manually via Console or API |
Missing Tax Funds | The filing is blocked because required tax funding has not yet been confirmed for the filing. | Confirm tax funding is available. If funding is already expected to be available, contact Check to investigate. | Automatically when issue is resolved |
Not Liable | The agency has indicated that the company is not liable for this filing. | If the determination is correct, no further employer action is needed. If the company believes it is liable, the employer should contact the agency to correct the liability status. | Manually via Console or API |
Other | A miscellaneous blocker not covered by the standard categories. | Review the blocker detail in Console for specifics and then resolve the mentioned issue. | Manually via Console or API |
POA Failure | A Power of Attorney is not on file with the agency. The POA must be signed by an owner or officer of the company. | The employer must complete and submit the POA to the agency. | Manually via Console or API |
TPA Failure | The Third Party Administrator assignment has not been granted with the agency. | The employer must complete the TPA assignment with the agency. | Manually via Console or API |
When to Use This Report
- At the start of filing season to proactively identify employers with outstanding blockers
- After updating employer information to confirm blockers have been cleared
- For regular account maintenance and partner communications throughout the quarter
Using Console to download Blocked Filings Report
- On the left side, click Reports
- Click View under Blocked Filings Report
- Select filters:
- Year — Calendar year for the filing
- Quarter — Quarter for the filing
- Company (optional) — Filter to a specific employer
- Download the report
Using Console to resolve blockers
- Navigate to the company’s page
- Click Tax Filings on the left side
- Locate the specific filing that you want to unblock
- Click on the filing row to open the filing information modal
- Navigate to issues
- Click Remove blocker on the blocker that is now resolved
FAQs
What if a blocker has been resolved but the filing still shows as blocked? Submit a support ticket to Check confirming the information has been updated and request that the filing be unblocked and resubmitted.
What if an employer receives a notice from the agency about a filing that was blocked? Contact Check via a support ticket with the notice attached. Check will review the situation and work with the employer and agency toward resolution.