Must Read Information
(Updated 11/17/2009)
IRS e-file is a process by which tax returns are submitted to the IRS by way of data communications and processed electronically through front-end edits. Tax return data is transmitted over the Internet and through dedicated leased lines in the form of electronic records via the Electronic Management System (EMS), which is the front-end processing system for electronic information exchange between the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and Authorized IRS e-file Providers (Providers), to a designated Submission Processing Campus. EMS receives returns from Transmitters, acknowledges the receipt of the information and prepares the information for mainframe processing.
The Modernized e-File (MeF) system is an internet-based electronic filing platform. It is a transaction-based system that allows tax return originators to transmit returns electronically to the IRS in real-time. MeF improves the response time required to issue an acknowledgement file to the transmitter that indicates whether the return was accepted or rejected for downstream processing. MeF allows for an efficient, paperless process that receives transmission files in a standardized format known as eXtensible Markup Language (XML) that also allows for the binary attachment of Adobe .PDF files. Transmitted files will flow into the MeF system through the Registered User Portal (RUP) located on IRS.gov that are then delivered to the MeF database located at an IRS Enterprise Computing Center for processing. Additional information can be found on Coming Soon to the Modernized e-File (MeF) Program.
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