Tag Archives: IRS news

Do You Need to Make the Switch to EFTPS?

IRS has issued proposed regs designed to expand the making of electronic tax deposits. The regs would eliminate the use of paper-based federal tax deposit (FTD) coupons after 2010. The existing rules for making electronic deposits would otherwise generally remain unchanged.

Currently, taxpayers whose aggregate annual deposits of certain taxes exceed $200,000 are generally required to use Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) to make FTDs. Taxes taken into account in determining whether the $200,000 threshold has been met include withheld income and FICA taxes, corporate income and estimated taxes, certain taxes imposed on tax-exempt organizations, taxes withheld on nonresident aliens and foreign corporations, estimated taxes of certain trusts, FUTA taxes, and excise taxes, as well as others. Once taxpayers exceed the $200,000 threshold, they have a one–year grace period before being required to use EFT, and then they are required to use EFT in all later years even if their deposits fall below the threshold. The Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS) is the EFT system currently used by IRS to collect FTDs. Continue reading →

IRS Reminds Paid Tax Preparers to Register Now for PTINs

WASHINGTON — As year end approaches, the Internal Revenue Service today strongly encouraged paid tax return preparers to register now for their new or renewed Preparer Tax Identification Numbers (PTINs) to avoid any last-minute rush.

Starting Jan. 1, 2011, use of the PTIN will be mandatory on all federal tax returns and claims for refund prepared by a paid tax preparer. Individuals who, for compensation, prepare all or substantially all of any federal tax return or claim for refund must use PTINs. Paid preparers must apply for a new or renewed PTIN through the new sign-up system at www.irs.gov/taxpros. Continue reading →

Eight Things to Know If You Receive an IRS Notice

Did you receive a notice from the IRS this year? Every year the IRS sends millions of letters and notices to taxpayers but that doesn’t mean you need to worry. Here are eight things every taxpayer should know about IRS notices – just in case one shows up in your mailbox.

1. Don’t panic. Many of these letters can be dealt with simply and painlessly.

2. There are number of reasons the IRS sends notices to taxpayers. The notice may request payment of taxes, notify you of a change to your account or request additional information. The notice you receive normally covers a very specific issue about your account or tax return.

3. Each letter and notice offers specific instructions on what you need to do to satisfy the inquiry. Continue reading →

IRS Continues Efforts to Ensure Accurate Return Preparation; Reminds Tax Preparers to Sign Up for PTINs

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service has started sending out more than 10,000 letters to tax return preparers nationwide to remind them of their obligation to prepare accurate tax returns on behalf of their clients.

Also, during the 2011 filing season, IRS representatives will visit approximately 2,500 tax return preparers who received these letters to further discuss their responsibilities as a return preparer and to verify their compliance with existing requirements.

The tax agency is sending the letters to paid preparers who completed tax returns in which the IRS has identified common errors. The letter includes an enclosure that reminds tax return preparers of their responsibilities and consequences of filing incorrect returns. Continue reading →

IRS e-signature Policy Change for the use of the electronic signature pad for Form 8879 and Form 8878

The IRS has approved the use of an electronic signature pad by Electronic Return Originators (EROs) to have taxpayers sign Forms 8879 and 8878.

Taxpayers must be present in the ERO’s office where the electronic signature pad is located to sign using the signature pad. The ERO must retain the forms with the taxpayers’ signatures and provide a copy to the taxpayer upon request.

This policy change has been updated in the Web version of Publication 1345 information titled; Authorized IRS e-file Providers e-filing Individual Income Tax Returns at IRS.gov. You will find it specifically on the IRS e-file Signature Authorization link under Signing an Electronic Tax Return.