2017 IRS Form 1040a cannot be filled in after it is downloaded

Question

I downloaded form 1040a from the IRS.gov site. I can fill it in when it is opened on the irs.gov site but when I save it, the data is lost. When I open the saved file on my Windows 10 computer, I get a dialog box that states:

This document enabled extended features in Adobe Acrobat Reader DC. The document has been changed since it was created and use of extended features is no longer available. Please contact the author for the original version of this document.

The form does not have any highlighted data fields. When the Fill & Sign button is selected, it stated that I have opened a fillable PDF form.

I have uninstalled Adobe Acrobat Reader DC and reinstalled it. I still get the same problem. I went to my neighbors computer, installed Reader DC and downloaded the same form from IRS.gov and it saved it along with data. The downloaded file could be opened and the data could be edited.

Please provide assistance. Thanks.

George_Johnson · Accepted Answer

Download it and open it directly in Acrobat or Reader, as opposed to the browser. PDF forms provided by the IRS are XFA forms, the kind created by Adobe LiveCycle Designer. In order for such forms to be saved by Reader, they are Reader-enabled. If enabled forms are modified in a way that invalidates the digital signature that's applied when a document is Reader-enabled, you'll see dialog box that you describe.

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