E-help Desk assists tax professionals such as Enrolled Agents, Reporting Agents, Electronic Return Originators, Certified Public Accountants, Software Developers, and Transmitters with non-account related questions and issues concerning e-products. E-help Desk Toll-Free Number 866-255-0654 Note: Callers who are outside of the 50 U.S. States and/or U.S. Territories should use the international phone number: 512-416-7750. Taxpayers who file their returns electronically using a tax preparer or online software should not be referred to the e-help Desk. If you are an individual taxpayer and have questions about electronic filing, visit our help page for individuals. The e-help Desk assistors support IRS e-file Individual and Business, EFTPS, SAM, and e-Services customers. Phone Options has changed. Please listen to all the menu options before selection. Use the following bulleted options as reference. From the Main Menu Press (1) for e-File, ERO, ITIN related information Prese (2) for e-Services related information From the (e-File, ERO, ITIN) Sub-Menu Press (1) for Individual Returns Press (2) for Business and Non-profit returns Press (3) for e-File Application Press (4) for Suitability Press (5) for Acceptance Agent Application From the (e-Services) Sub-Menu Press (1) for Registration e-Services Password Reset Press (2) for Transcript Delivery System (TDS) or Taxpayer Identification Number Matching (TIN matching) E-help Desk Hours Monday thru Friday 6:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. Central Time What Products Does the e-help Desk Support? e-Services: a suite of web-based products that allows third parties and payers to conduct business with the IRS electronically. Registration: establishes an electronic account which enables individuals to login, apply for, and use e-services products. IRS e-file Application: allows a business or organization to become an Authorized e-file provider to participate in the e-file program. Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) Matching: enables authorized payers (firms who withhold or make specified payments to the IRS) to verify a TIN and name combination. Transcript Delivery System (TDS): allows the tax preparer to request transcripts and Wage and Income documents from the IRS. E-file: An Electronic Submission of Taxpayer Return Data Individual returns: filing any of the Form 1040 family of returns and associated forms and schedules and the processing of electronic payments attached to the return. Employment and Fiduciary returns: filing of Forms 940, 941, 944, and 1041. Business returns: filing of Forms 720, 1065, 1065-B, 1120, 1120-F, 1120-S, 2290, 7004, and 8849. Exempt Organizations information returns: filing of Forms 990, 990-EZ, 990-PF, 1120-POL, 8868, 7004, and 990N e-Postcard. Modernized e-File (MeF), Assurance Testing System (ATS): testing required for software developers and transmitters who transmit individual and business returns to the IRS. Who Must e-file? e-file Requirement for Tax Return Preparers: The law requires tax return preparers and firms who reasonably expect to file 11 or more covered returns in calendar year 2013 and thereafter, to e-file the returns they prepare and file. For 2013, covered returns are Forms 1040, 1040-A, 1040-EZ, and 1041. If this requirement will cause an undue hardship, apply for a waiver by completing Form 8944, Preparer e-file Hardship Waiver Request. For more information, go to IRS.gov, keyword ‘e-file requirement’. Excise Tax Filers of Form 2290, Heavy Highway Vehicle Use Tax Return, who register 25 or more vehicles for any taxable period. Corporations and Tax-Exempt Organizations who file Forms 990, 1120, 1120-F, and 1120-S have assets of $10 million or more, and who file at least 250 returns annually. These returns include income tax, excise tax, employment tax, and information returns such as Forms W-2 and 1099. Private Foundations and Charitable Trusts who file at least 250 returns annually (including Forms W-2, 1099, and others). Partnerships with more than 100 partners. Tools and Tips for Authorized IRS e-file Providers Need to know where to transmit individual e-file returns? Refer to Part 1 of Publication 1346, Electronic Return File Specifications for Individual Income Tax Returns. Go to IRS.gov, keyword ‘Pub 1346’. Subscribe to Quick Alerts to receive valuable and important e-file information throughout the filing season. Go to IRS.gov, keyword ‘Quick Alerts. Contact your state e-file coordinator to take advantage of filing Federal and State returns at the same time. Go to IRS.gov, keyword ‘federal/state e-file’. Update an e-file Application within 30 days of any change to prevent an Electronic Filing Identification Number (EFIN) from being deactivated. Refer to Publication 3112, IRS e-file Application and Participation, for rules and requirements for participation in IRS e-file. Go to IRS.gov, keyword ‘Pub 3112’. Order or download the following publications from IRS.gov: Publication 1345, Handbook for Authorized IRS e-file Providers of Individual Income Tax Returns Publication 2043, IRS Refund Information Guidelines for the Tax Preparation Community Report suspected tax fraud activity by completing Form 3949-A, Information Referral at IRS.gov, keyword ‘Form 3949-A’, or by calling the Tax Fraud Hotline at 800-829-0433.
