# Review open returns

Source: https://developer.avalara.com/products/returns/integration-guides/managed-returns/xuj9778782509813/

Guide: Avalara Managed Returns API (U.S. and Canada)

# Review open returns

Avalara automatically generates return filings for each active filing calendar that has a return due in a given cycle. These filings are created based on the return frequency specified in the merchant’s filing calendar (for example, monthly, quarterly, or annual).

## Filing cycle overview

Each return follows the cadence established by its filing calendar:

-   **Monthly returns** are generated every month.

-   **Quarterly and annual returns** are generated at the start of each corresponding filing period.

Once generated, these returns are placed in a `READYFORREVIEW` state, giving the partner (acting as the Firm) and the merchant an opportunity to validate the data.

## Review and approval window

Between the **1st** and **10th** of each month, merchants are encouraged to:

-   Review their open returns.

-   Approve them for filing.

This review step helps ensure accuracy but isn’t mandatory.

## Automatic approval

To prevent late filings, Avalara **automatically approves all open returns at 5:00 p.m. PT** **on the 10th** of each month. This ensures returns are submitted on time, even if the merchant hasn’t manually approved them.

## Query returns statuses

Partners can use the filings query to retrieve all generated returns that are pending approval for a specific merchant:

**View request**:

```
query Filings {
  filings(input: { companyId: 123456 }) {
    recordsetCount
    value {
      companyId
      id
      month
      type
      year
      filingRegions {
        returns {
          taxFormCode
          formName
          filingType
          filingFrequency
          filingCalendarId
          filedDate
          id
          returnTaxDetails {
            nonTaxableAmount
            numberOfNights
            salesAmount
            taxAmount
            taxType
          }
          returnTaxSummary {
            collectAmount
            nonTaxableAccrualAmount
            nonTaxableAmount
            remittanceAmount
            reportableNonTaxableAmount
            reportableSalesAmount
            reportableTaxAmount
            reportableTaxableAmount
            salesAccrualAmount
            salesAmount
            taxAccrualAmount
            taxAmount
            taxableAccrualAmount
            taxableAmount
          }
          status
          startPeriod
          taxAuthorityId
          totalAdjustments
          totalAugmentations
          totalPayments
        }
      }
    }
  }
}
```

**View response**:

```
{
  "data": {
    "filings": {
      "recordsetCount": 1,
      "value": [
        {
          "companyId": 123456,
          "id": 112233,
          "month": 3,
          "type": "ORIGINAL",
          "year": 2025,
          "filingRegions": [
            {
              "returns": [
                {
                  "taxFormCode": "ARET1",
                  "formName": "AR ET1",
                  "filingType": "ELECTRONICRETURN",
                  "filingFrequency": "MONTHLY",
                  "filingCalendarId": 1166792,
                  "filedDate": null,
                  "id": 1233444,
                  "returnTaxDetails": [
                    {
                      "nonTaxableAmount": 0,
                      "numberOfNights": null,
                      "salesAmount": 0,
                      "taxAmount": 0,
                      "taxType": "Sales Tax"
                    },
                    {
                      "nonTaxableAmount": 0,
                      "numberOfNights": null,
                      "salesAmount": 0,
                      "taxAmount": 0,
                      "taxType": "Consumer Use"
                    }
                  ],
                  "returnTaxSummary": {
                    "collectAmount": 0,
                    "nonTaxableAccrualAmount": 0,
                    "nonTaxableAmount": 0,
                    "remittanceAmount": 0,
                    "reportableNonTaxableAmount": 0,
                    "reportableSalesAmount": 0,
                    "reportableTaxAmount": 0,
                    "reportableTaxableAmount": 0,
                    "salesAccrualAmount": 0,
                    "salesAmount": 0,
                    "taxAccrualAmount": 0,
                    "taxAmount": 0,
                    "taxableAccrualAmount": 0,
                    "taxableAmount": 0
                  },
                  "status": "READYFORREVIEW",
                  "startPeriod": "2025-03-01T00:00:00",
                  "taxAuthorityId": 277,
                  "totalAdjustments": 0,
                  "totalAugmentations": 0,
                  "totalPayments": 0
                }
              ]
            }
          ]
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}
```

Important

-   If a return is **modified** through adjustments or new transaction imports, Avalara will **regenerate** the return and update it in the filings list.

-   Partners may also want to track whether a particular filing calendar is **currently being updated** or is in the `READYFORREVIEW` state.

## Filing return status

These are the possible statuses:

-   `READYFORREVIEW`: Ready for review by merchant

-   `REFRESHINGNUMBERS`: Currently refreshing tax numbers

-   `PREPARINGTOFILE`: In the process of preparing to file

-   `FILED`: Return has been filed