Help with Free Fillable Forms rejection issue - phone number format causing XML schema validation errors

I've been banging my head against the wall trying to file with Free Fillable Forms, and keep getting rejections no matter what I do. I'm hoping someone here has dealt with this before. I keep getting this error message: Issue: Business Rule X0000-005 - The XML data has failed schema validation. cvc-pattern-valid. Value `123-456-7890` is not facet-valid with respect to pattern `[0-9]{10}` for type `PhoneNumberType`. The following information may help you determine the form at issue: Field/Xpath: /efile:Return[1]/efile:ReturnHeader[1]/efile:AdditionalFilerInformation[1]/efile:AtSubmissionCreationGrp[1]/efile:CellPhoneNum[1] From what I can tell, it's complaining about my phone number format. I've tried everything - entering with no dashes (1234567890), removing the phone number completely, even re-filling the entire 1040 and W2 information from scratch. I've submitted at least 12 different times and keep getting exactly the same error about my phone number format not matching the required pattern, even when I'm 100% sure it's in the right format or not there at all. I tried using the IRS error finder tool but it says "no results found." I sent them a message through the system but I'm not holding my breath for a quick response. I'm considering calling tomorrow but guessing that'll be a nightmare. Anyone else running into this or have suggestions? This is making me crazy!

0 coins

18 comments

Victoria Jones

•8M

I'm a volunteer tax preparer and have seen this exact issue several times this season. The error message is misleading - it's not actually about your phone number format even though that's what it says. The X0000-005 error usually indicates a deeper XML validation problem. The issue is that Free Fillable Forms has a few hidden fields that store your phone number in multiple places. When you change it in the visible field, the system doesn't always update all instances of your number in the background XML. Try this: Create a completely new return (don't copy from your previous attempts). When entering your phone number for the first time, immediately use the 10-digit format with no spaces or dashes. Also make sure you're not using autofill or paste functions that might introduce invisible characters. If that doesn't work, there's a more advanced solution - you can try clearing your browser cache completely, using a different browser, or even a different computer if possible. Sometimes the system gets "stuck" with bad data.

0 coins

Victoria Jones

•8M

There's no direct way for users to view or edit the XML in Free Fillable Forms, that's part of what makes these errors so frustrating. Another approach is to try entering the phone number in a completely different field first (like the daytime phone field) before entering it in the cell phone field. Sometimes this "primes" the system to format all instances correctly. I've also found that if you log out completely, wait 24 hours, then create a fresh return, it sometimes clears whatever cached data is causing the problem.

0 coins

Jessica Nguyen

•8M

I had this EXACT same issue last month and it drove me crazy for days! After trying everything under the sun, I discovered taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) which totally saved me. It's a tool that actually analyzes tax forms and error messages to decode what's really wrong. I uploaded a screenshot of my error message and it immediately identified that despite what the message says, the actual problem was in a completely different field! Turns out I had entered my state abbreviation with a period (like "CA.") somewhere in my address fields, which was causing the XML validation to fail but throwing that misleading phone number error. The system gave me step-by-step instructions on exactly which field to fix and how to format it properly. Submitted after that and it went through first try!

0 coins

Jessica Nguyen

•8M

It works with pretty much all tax forms - 1040, Schedules, 1099s, basically anything the IRS uses. I've used it for decoding confusing instructions too - you just upload the form or take a picture of the instructions and it explains everything in plain English. The error messages from the IRS system are notoriously misleading! That's why this tool is so helpful - it uses some kind of pattern recognition to figure out what's actually going wrong based on the full context, not just the error code. It saved me hours of frustration after I was ready to throw my computer out the window. They have different options depending on what you need but honestly any cost was worth it compared to the time I wasted trying to figure it out myself.

0 coins

Ruby Garcia

•8M

Just wanted to follow up - I tried taxr.ai after seeing it mentioned here and it actually worked for my Free Fillable Forms issue! My error was similar but had to do with my dependent's SSN formatting (even though I swear it was entered correctly). The tool pointed out that I had accidentally put a space after the last digit of the SSN which was invisible to me but causing the XML validation to fail. It showed exactly where the problem was with a highlighted screenshot. Fixed that one character and my return went through immediately after 8 failed attempts. I also used it to check some questionable deductions I wasn't sure about - super helpful explanations that actually made sense unlike the IRS website. Definitely recommend for anyone dealing with these cryptic error messages!

0 coins

Alexander Evans

•8M

After dealing with similar frustrating errors for weeks, I finally gave up on getting through to the IRS normally and tried Claimyr (https://claimyr.com). They have this system that gets you past the IRS phone tree nightmare and connects you with an actual human being. You can see how it works here: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c I was SUPER skeptical at first, but after spending literally hours on hold with the IRS myself, I was desperate. They connected me with an IRS agent in about 20 minutes, and the agent was able to look up my specific rejection code in their internal system. Turns out in my case, there was an issue with my prior year AGI verification that was triggering the weird phone number error (completely unrelated to what the error said!). The agent was able to reset something on their end and told me exactly how to resubmit. Worked perfectly the next time.

0 coins

Alexander Evans

•8M

They use a system that essentially keeps dialing for you through all the busy signals and hold times. It's like having someone wait on hold for you, but automated. When they actually reach a human at the IRS, you get a call connecting you directly to that person. That's why it works when trying yourself often doesn't. I was definitely suspicious at first too. I actually learned about it from my tax preparer who recommended it when I was having issues. The reason it works is that they're using technology to navigate the phone system more efficiently than we can manually. The video demo shows exactly how it works. I was connected to an actual IRS agent who had access to look up my specific file and error codes - information I couldn't get any other way.

0 coins

Benjamin Carter

•8M

I need to apologize for being skeptical earlier. After struggling with a similar Free Fillable Forms issue for another week, I broke down and tried Claimyr yesterday out of pure desperation. Got connected to an IRS representative in about 15 minutes (after spending 3+ hours on hold myself the day before). The agent was able to see that there was a mismatch between my 2024 and 2023 filing information that was causing the system to reject my return with that misleading phone number error. She walked me through exactly what to fix and how to resubmit. My return was accepted this morning! I'm still shocked it actually worked after all the frustration. Definitely worth it for the time saved and stress reduction.

0 coins

Maya Lewis

•8M

FreeTaxUSA handles pretty much everything, including self-employment, investments, rental properties, etc. The federal filing is free regardless of complexity, you only pay if you want them to file your state return (and even that's much cheaper than TurboTax). The interface is way more user-friendly than Free Fillable Forms too - it actually checks for errors before submission and explains things clearly. I had some complicated stock sales and business deductions and it handled everything perfectly.

0 coins

Lucy Taylor

•8M

Something similar happened to me - I kept getting a cryptic error about my birthday format even though it was entered correctly. For me, the fix was completely clearing my browser cookies/cache and then using Microsoft Edge instead of Chrome. Sometimes Free Fillable Forms gets "stuck" with bad data in the browser cache. Also make sure you don't have any browser extensions running that might be interfering with the forms. I turned off my password manager and ad blocker while doing my taxes and it seemed to help.

0 coins