How returns are counted

Your firm has a set number of returns each month. A return is one form for one tax year, and it's counted when its extraction finishes.

Good to know

• Adding files and identifying them is free. A file is never extracted until you choose Extract, so a wrong file isn't counted.
• Extract checks first. The button names how many returns it will read, such as Extract 3 returns. If your firm doesn't have that many left, none of them start.
• A return is held while it's extracting and counted once it's ready. If extraction fails, or you stop or remove the return before it's ready, the hold goes back to your firm.
• Try again on a return that couldn't be extracted works even when your firm has no returns left. A return is never counted twice.
• Each return gets three tries: the first extraction, then Try again twice. After the third, its card says "Couldn't extract after 3 tries" and "Remove it, or contact support". A return that never finished isn't counted.
• Duplicates count. An amended return or a second copy of the same year each uses a return. Before you extract, two returns for one year show a warning. See Warnings when you add returns.
• Once a return is extracted, removing it doesn't give the return back.
• Returns reset each month. When 10 or fewer are left, the Extract bar says so, such as "3 returns left this month."
• Admins see this month's returns under Usage on Settings > Billing and usage: how many are used, extracting and left, and the day they reset.
• When your firm runs out, admins see a banner on the Projects page and on each project's page, with Contact us and the day returns reset. Dismiss it and it stays hidden in that browser until returns reset. Returns already extracting still finish.

If something goes wrong

• "Not enough returns left" Your firm doesn't have enough returns left this month for what you're extracting or adding. Admins see how many more are needed and when returns reset, such as "Extracting these 4 returns needs 1 more than your firm has left this month. Your returns reset on Nov 1." Choose Contact us to email us, or wait until they reset. A file you add when your firm has no returns left opens the same dialog and isn't kept.
• "Ask an admin to add more." Members see how many returns are left, such as "Your firm has 3 returns left this month. Ask an admin to add more." Choose Close and let an admin know.
• "You can also remove files to extract fewer." Both dialogs say this. Remove a card with its More actions menu (⋯), then choose Extract again.
• "We've paused extracting for your firm while we check something. Contact support at hello@sidesheet.co." Extract and Try again won't start anything for now. Returns already extracting still finish. Email us and we'll look into it.