- quote -

Parts of this are supposed to be available on May 3rd. I
have used EAR and I know Harlan has used it all, we can't
wait.

Helen, EA in PA
Member of The Tax Gang
Director, National Assoication of Enrolled Agents
Immediate Past President, PA Society of Enrolled Agents

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IR-2004-58, April 26, 2004

IRS CONTINUES LAUNCH OF ONLINE BUSINESS TOOLS

WASHINGTON - With record numbers of Americans e-filing their tax returns
and recently announced e-filing options for corporations and tax exempt
organizations, the Internal Revenue Service has launched a new online form
that gives tax professionals a faster, easier method of applying to become
an authorized e-filer.

As more and more taxpayers ask for e-file, tax professionals now have an
online application form that cuts processing time and reduces errors
associated with using the paper Form 8633, Application to Participate in
IRS e-file. Once the application is approved by the IRS, tax professionals
can e-file returns for their clients.

"With record numbers of Americans filing electronically, this process
makes it even easier for tax professionals to become an authorized
e-filer," said IRS Commissioner Mark W. Everson. "This new online form
provides a faster, smoother process for tax professionals to become
e-filers."

The online application is the latest segment of a suite of Internet-based
business tools called "e-services" that give tax professionals and
financial institutions new choices for working electronically with the IRS
and easier access to client information.

The online application form joins four other products in the e-services
line that serves tax professionals and those who file select information
returns, such as banks and other financial institutions. The suite of
e-services were developed and delivered through the IRS Business Systems
Modernization program.

The e-service announced today joins four other applications already
released, including:

- Online Registration - Before using other e-services, tax professionals
must register online to create an electronic account. The registration
process is a one-time process for tax professionals to select a user name,
password and personal identification number.

- Preparer Tax Identification Number Application - The Preparer Tax
Identification Number, or PTIN application, lets a paid preparer apply for
and receive a PTIN immediately over the Internet.

- Bulk Taxpayer Identification Number Matching - Bulk TIN Matching is used
by authorized payers or their agents who file the range of 1099 forms to
match the taxpayer identification numbers with the names of those they
pay. Payers can face a penalty if an incorrect number is submitted to the
IRS. Up to 100,000 name/TIN combinations can be submitted for matching
with a response received within 24 hours.

- Interactive Taxpayer Identification Number Matching - A smaller version
of the bulk TIN matching application that authorized payers can use to
match up to 25 taxpayer identification numbers and name combinations
against IRS records with an immediate response.

Future e-services include premium products for e-filers who file more than
100 electronic returns, and include:

- Disclosure Authorization - Eligible tax professionals can complete, view
and update authorization forms, receive acknowledgement of accepted
submissions immediately - all online. This electronic submission of Form
2848, Power of Attorney and Declaration of Representative, and Form 8821,
Tax Information Authorization, speeds processing and provides immediate
feedback about accepted submissions.

- Electronic Account Resolution - Tax professionals can resolve their
clients account problems sooner by electronically sending/receiving
account related inquiries. Tax professionals can ask about individual or
business account problems, refunds, installment agreements, missing
payments or notices. IRS responses are delivered to an electronic secure
mailbox within 72 hours.

- Transcript Delivery System - Tax professionals can request their
client's tax return transcripts, account transcripts, wage and income
documents and verification of non-filing letters for individual and
business taxpayers. Account information is provided quickly in a secure,
online session or can be delivered to a secure mailbox within 24-48 hours.
All of these premium e-services are being tested now by a select group of
registered users. Disclosure Authorization and Electronic Account
Resolution are scheduled for delivery this spring; Transcript Delivery
System is due for release this summer.

Only approved IRS business partners, such as e-filing tax professionals
and payers are eligible to use e-services. Tax professionals and payers
can register for e-services immediately through the Tax Professional's
page on IRS.gov.

Links on IRS.gov:

- E-services Registration -

https://la.www4.irs.gov/e-services/R...tion/index.htm
- What are the e-services products? -
http://www.irs.gov/taxpros/article/0,,id=107478,00.html


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"Jack" - John H. Fisher - TaxService[at]aol.com
Philadelphia, Pa - Atlantic City, NJ - West Wildwood, NJ
My Newsgroups & Boards at: http://members.aol.com/TaxService/index.html

Where Ignorance is bliss, 'tis folly to be wise!=

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