E-file application summary required to electronically file payroll tax forms

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As part of the Security Summit partnership, which includes the Internal Revenue Service, state tax agencies, and private-sector industry, we have added additional safeguards for payroll tax forms transmitted electronically via Accounting CS.

One of these safeguards is the requirement that you provide a copy of your IRS e-file application summary before transmitting federal 94x forms via Accounting CS. Your IRS e-file application summary allows Thomson Reuters to verify your eligibility to electronically file 94x returns and is a summary of the application submitted and approved by the IRS for your Electronic Filing Identification Number (EFIN).

If you haven’t already submitted your e-file application summary to Thomson Reuters, please do so now. Complete the appropriate steps below to obtain a copy of your e-file application summary and submit it for approval. Any Federal 94x form transmitted with an unverified EFIN is rejected. The rejection message on the electronic form includes the unverified EFIN - "The EFIN used to create this return (######) has not been properly registered."

To view this message, choose Actions > Process Electronic Form and then click the Transmission Information button.

Note:

If either of the following are true, you do not need to submit an e-file application summary.

  • You will use the same verified Electronic Filing Identification Number (EFIN) that you have on file for UltraTax CS to transmit your federal 94x forms via Accounting CS.
  • You file all payroll tax forms using the Internet or Magnetic method. For details, see Processing internet and magnetic files.

If you also own UltraTax CS, using an unverified EFIN in Accounting CS for any Federal 94X form will disable e-filing for both applications. If you use a separate EFIN to transmit your Federal 94X payroll tax forms, it must be verified before use Accounting CS.

Obtaining your e-file application summary

You'll need to access your IRS e-Services account to provide a copy of your IRS e-file application summary. If you have more than one EFIN associated with your account, or use a second EFIN for your payroll operations, obtain e-file application summaries for all EFINs you plan to use.

To generate your e-file application summary, complete the following steps:

  1. Visit the IRS website at irs.gov and click the for Tax Pros link at the top of the page. Show me.

    for Tax Pros

  2. Click Access e-Services  in the e-Services section. Show me.

    Access e-Services

  3. Scroll to the e-Services Applications section and click E-file Provider ServicesShow me.

    Log in

  4. In the E-file Application section, click the Access e-file Application button to open the e-Services login page. Show me.
    Access e-file application button image
  5. Using the fields provided, enter your credentials to log in to the IRS e-Services site. You'll also need to perform multi-factor authentication by entering a security code sent to your phone.
  6. On the Select Organization page, mark the checkbox next to your firm's name and click Submit Selected OrganizationShow me.

    Application

  7. On the ESAM Application Landing Page, in the View/Edit click the icon for your desired e-file application. Show me.

    e-File application

  8. At the top right of the application summary page, click the Print link. Show me.

    Print Summary

  9. Create a PDF of your e-file application summary by selecting Adobe PDF as the printer, then click Print. (This step varies depending on your browser.)

For details about your e-Services account, see IRS: Important update about your e-Services account.If you are uncertain if you have created an e-Services portal, or if you need assistance with login errors, verifying login credentials, or accessing your IRS e-Services portal, contact the IRS e-Help desk at 866.255.0654.

Submitting your e-file application summary 

Send your e-file application summary to EFINCertificate@TR.com and include your firm ID in the subject line. If you are unsure of your firm ID number, see How to locate the firm ID number.

If you have more than one EFIN associated with your account, or use a separate EFIN for your payroll operations, you must submit e-file application summaries for every EFIN you will use.

To complete e-filing approval for all office locations and all EFINs at the same time, send a single message to EFINCertificate@tr.com. Include the appropriate firm ID in the file name of each attached e-file application summary. If you are unsure of your firm ID number, see How to locate the firm ID number.

To complete e-filing approval for all office locations at the same time, send a single message to EFINCertificate@tr.com. In the body of your message indicate all the firms IDs using the EFIN associated with the attached e-file application summary. If you are unsure of your firm ID numbers, see How to locate the firm ID number.

Verifying your e-file approval status

After submitting your e-file application summary to EFINCertificate@TR.com, you will automatically receive a confirmation email. If you don't receive this confirmation within twenty minutes, re-send your application summary to EFINCertificate@TR.com. After your submission has been reviewed, you will receive an additional email with your approval status. You can expect to receive an e-file approval status message within two business days of receipt.

Frequently asked questions

No. If either of the following are true, you do not need to submit an e-file application summary.

  • You will use the same verified Electronic Filing Identification Number (EFIN) you have on file for UltraTax CS to transmit your payroll tax forms via Accounting CS.
  • You file all payroll tax forms using the Internet or Magnetic method. For details, see Processing internet and magnetic files.

No. Once verified you do not need to resubmit your e-file application summary to us each year. However, if you change your firm's demographic information - such as your name or address - a new e-file application summary may be required. For details, see Change your firm name, address, and/or phone number.

If you plan to transmit only state payroll tax forms electronically through Accounting CS in states that do not require an EFIN, you do not need to obtain an EFIN from the IRS.

If you plan to transmit federal 94x payroll tax forms electronically through Accounting CS, you will need an EFIN number issued from the IRS. After the IRS has approved your e-file application and assigned your EFIN number, you will need to provide a copy of the e-file application summary, (following the process outlined above), unless you submit all payroll tax forms using the Internet or Magnetic filing methods.

Access to the e-file application summary will only be available using the login credentials for the individual who applied for and received the EFIN from the IRS. For assistance with login errors, verifying login credentials, or accessing your IRS e-Services portal contact the IRS e-Help desk at 866.255.0654.

No. Payroll tax forms that have a filing method of Internet or Magnetic are not submitted via Accounting CS and do not require the verification of your EFIN.

No. The e-file application summary available via the IRS e-Services portal is the only documentation we can accept. If you have applied for and received an EFIN from the IRS you will have access to this documentation.

Yes. An application summary must be submitted for each EFIN you intend to use to electronically transmit payroll tax forms through Accounting CS. If you have multiple office locations, submit an e-file application summary for each office that will electronically transmit payroll tax forms through Accounting CS. For assistance, see the Submitting your e-file application summary section above.

Thomson Reuters must validate all EFINs in use by our customers; therefore, the return is rejected.

As part of the pre-filing setup steps, your firm's EFIN is entered in the Federal section of the Transmission Information dialog. To verify the EFIN, choose Actions > Process Electronic Forms and click the Transmission Information button to open the Transmission Information dialog. The EFIN field contains the number you are using to transmit payroll tax forms.

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Internal only

You can verify e-file approval status in EMS.

To use Accounting CS to transmit payroll tax forms, the submitted e-file application must meet the following criteria:

  • The firm name and address information on the summary match what is in Flash/EMS.
  • EFIN status is listed as Active.
  • Electronic Originator status is listed as Accepted.
  • The application's status is listed as Completed.
  • A tracking number is present - this will be located near the bottom of the summary.