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NOW
OFFERING ELECTRONIC INCOME TAX SERVICES
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QUESTIONS
& ANSWERS TO ASSIST YOU...
Q. What
is an "Authorized IRS e-file Provider"?
A. Tax professionals
who are accepted into the electronic filing program are called "Authorized
IRS e-file Providers.
" They are the Electronic Return Originator (ERO) who transmits
tax return information to the IRS.
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Q. How
does IRS e-file work?
A. You or
your tax professional, prepare your tax return. In many cases, the tax
professional is also the Electronic
Return Originator (ERO) who is authorized to file your return electronically
to the IRS. Ask your tax professional to
file your return through IRS e-file.
You sign
your electronic tax return by either using a Self-Select PIN for e-file
for a completely paperless return,
or by signing Form 8453. See " If the return is electronic, how
do I sign it?"
for more information.
After you
sign the return using a Self-Select PIN or Form 8453, the ERO transmits
the return to the IRS or to a
third-party transmitter who then forwards the entire electronic record
to the IRS for processing. Once received
at the IRS, the return is automatically checked by computers for errors
and missing information. If it cannot
be processed, it is sent back to the originating transmitter (usually
the ERO) to clarify any necessary information.
After correction, the transmitter retransmits the return to the IRS.
Within 48 hours of electronically sending your
return to IRS, the IRS sends an acknowledgment to the transmitter stating
the return is accepted for processing.
This is your proof of filing and assurance that the IRS has your return
information. The Authorized IRS e-file Provider
then sends Form 8453 to the IRS.
If due a
refund, you can expect to receive it in approximately three weeks from
the acknowledgment date -
even faster with Direct Deposit (half the time as when filed on paper).
If you owe tax, see "What if I owe Money?"
for payment options available this year.
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Q. How
will I know that the IRS really has my return?
A. The IRS
lets your tax professional know that it has received your return information
within 48 hours after
electronically sending your return to IRS. If IRS detects any errors,
it sends an error message to the transmitter
to correct and retransmit the return to the IRS. Only IRS e-file options
offer this advantage.
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Q. If
the return is electronic, how do I sign it?
A. The most
convenient way for you to sign your electronic return is to use an electronic
signature Personal
Identification Number (PIN) -- and it's completely paperless! More information
on signing your return electronically
can be found at Choosing Your Own PIN, or
your Tax Preparer can answer any questions you have about electronic
signatures. If you do not choose to use one of the electronic signature
methods, Self-Select PIN or Practitioner PIN,
you must complete and sign the signature document, Form 8453, U.S. Individual
Income Tax Declaration for an
IRS e-file Return.
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Q. How
accurate is IRS e-file?
A. IRS e-file
returns are virtually error-proof with an error rate of less than one
percent. IRS e-file greatly reduces
the chance that you will get an error letter from the IRS.
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Q. What
if I owe money?
A. Your tax
professional can file your return electronically any time during the
filing season; however, sending
the payment for a balance due by April 15 is still your responsibility.
You may file electronically as soon as you
are ready and will receive a confirmation from the IRS within 48 hours
of receipt of your return. You may then pay
your balance due to the IRS by check, direct debit (automatic withdrawal)
directly from your bank, or by credit card.
All balance due payments, regardless of method of payment, must be authorized
or sent to the IRS by April 15
to avoid late payment penalties or interest charges.
To pay by
check, make your check payable to the United States Treasury and mail
it, along with the IRS payment
voucher (Form 1040-V), to the address indicated on the voucher.For electronic
funds withdrawal, include your bank
routing information and account number on the Form 1040 when you file
electronically. You can designate the exact date
(up to and including April 15) that you want the payment to be withdrawn
(by the Department of Treasury financial agents)
from either your checking or savings account at your bank. Credit card
payments are available for filers who file through an
Authorized IRS e-file Provider, through commercial tax preparation software
or through TeleFile. Your Authorized IRS e-file
Provider can provide additional details on any of these payment methods.
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Q. Can
I e-file my state return with my Federal return at the same time?
A. Yes. Federal/State
e-file, an extension of IRS e-file, is offered in 37 states and the
District of Columbia.
However, not all Authorized IRS e-file Providers provide this service.
Your Authorized IRS e-file Provider can
tell you if they participate in the Federal/State e-file program.
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Q. Is
there a fee for IRS e-file?
A. The IRS
does not charge a fee for electronic filing. Some Authorized IRS e-file
Providers (EROs) charge a
fee for providing this service to their clients while others may offer
it free of charge. However, this fee cannot be
based on any figure from the tax return. Fees vary depending upon the
tax professional you choose and the
specific services you request.
With IRS
e-file you can prepare your own return and pay a professional only to
transmit it electronically, or you
can pay to have your return both prepared and transmitted. Whichever
you choose, shop around for a tax
professional who offers the services you need at an acceptable cost
to you.
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