Jan. 26, 2024 Contrary to some wildly inaccurate reports Friday night, the IRS is not having widespread system issues in advance of Monday's filing season opening. IRS systems continue operating well, and the agency has seen a strong, successful testing season in advance of the 2024 tax season opening. The confusion stems from third parties trying to access an IRS system to upload documents on the Filing Information Returns Electronically (FIRE) system. Groups that use FIRE were required to pass higher verification standards before an Aug. 1, 2023, deadline to update their information. The IRS repeatedly urged FIRE users to update their information before the 2024 tax season because they would no longer meet the strengthened security requirements. The IRS emphasizes this is not a widespread issue affecting taxpayers. For companies that cannot access the FIRE system, they need to follow the directions on IRS.gov to meet the new standards and regain access.
