EFIN verification required for electronic filing through CS Connect

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If you do not have a verified electronic filing identification number (EFIN), you will be unable to electronically file returns in UltraTax CS. Submit an e-file application summary to Thomson Reuters for any EFIN you will use to transmit returns electronically. All returns eligible for electronic filing - regardless of tax year - require a verified EFIN.

Using an unverified EFIN to transmit an electronic file, will disable your electronic filing ability. If you use an EFIN that has not been verified it may cause the program to display the following Critical diagnostic message:

"Action Required – Electronic Filing Identification Number (EFIN) verification required for electronic filing through CS Connect.  See your alerts for information on filing the necessary documentation with Thomson Reuters."

To review the unverified EFIN open the UltraTax CS Home Page, by pressing Crtl + J,  and click the Alerts section on the left-hand side of the home page. You will see a message indicating the last three digits of the unverified EFIN that was used. Show me.

EFIN alert

If you have previously verified your EFIN, and try to submit an e-file with a new unverified EFIN, you will receive the following rejection:

"The EFIN used to create this return (***888) has not been properly registered."

For multi-office situations, see Configuring multi-office with multiple EFIN's and EFIN verification.

Note: If you also own Accounting CS, using an unverified EFIN in Accounting CS for any Federal 94X form will disable e-filing for both applications. To find the unverified EFIN in Accounting CS choose Actions > Process Electronic Forms and click the Transmission Information button. If you use a separate EFIN to transmit your Federal 94X payroll tax forms, it must be verified before use in Accounting CS. For details, see E-file application summary required to electronically file payroll tax forms.

Some exceptions may be possible in the event the IRS e-Services site is down. If an e-file application summary is not accessible because of this and e-filing for UltraTax has been disabled due to an unverified EFIN in Accounting CS, work with the Customer Service Call facilitator for guidance.

Restoring your ability to electronically file

If your electronic filing ability is disabled, identify the unverified EFIN used and complete the following steps to restore access. If you have set up multiple offices under Setup > Office Configuration > Office Setup, review the following setup for each office.

Using a single EFIN

If you intend to use the unverified EFIN found in your Home page Alerts to e-file returns you can restore your e-filing capability by submitting your EFIN application summary. Note that restoring your e-filing transmission ability may take time. For more information, see the E-file application summary and EFIN requirement overview.

If you do not intend to use the unverified EFIN and you have a verified EFIN, you can restore your e-filing capability by completing the following steps:

  1. Choose the Setup > Office Configuration > Electronic Filing tab.
  2. To use a single EFIN for all returns, mark the All returns in this office will file using EFIN checkbox.
  3. Enter the verified EFIN and click OK to complete your changes.
  4. Send an email to EFINCertificate@tr.com with the last three digits of the unverified EFIN you are no longer using. Please include your firm ID number in the subject line. If you are unsure of your firm ID number, see How to locate the firm ID number.

Note: We will send a confirmation message to you once we have received your request, and another when access has been restored. The turnaround time to restore access is typically 24 to 48 hours. After receiving the confirmation that access has been restored, you will need to close and re-open UltraTax CS to clear the EFIN diagnostic and Home Page alert.

Using multiple EFINs

If you intend to use the unverified EFIN, you can restore your e-filing capability by submitting a e-file application summary for the unverified number. Note that restoring your e-filing transmission ability may take time. For more information, see the E-file application summary and EFIN requirement overview.

If you do not intend to use the unverified EFIN, you can restore your e-filing capability by completing the following steps:

  1. Choose the Setup > Office Configuration > Electronic Filing tab.
  2. To use multiple EFINs for returns, mark the Several EFINs are being used checkbox.
  3. Go to the Setup > Office Configuration > Preparers tab, select a preparer from the list, and click the Edit button.
  4. In the Preparer Information window enter the verified EFIN in the Preparer EFIN field and click OK to complete your changes. A verified EFIN must be entered for each preparer.
  5. To ensure all listed preparers are using a verified EFIN, repeat steps 3 & 4 for all preparers listed on the Preparers tab.
  6. Send an email to EFINCertificate@tr.com with the last three digits of any unverified EFIN(s) you are no longer using. Please include the firm ID number in the subject line. If your request involves multiple IDs please list the firm ID with the unverified EFIN in the body of your message. If you are unsure of your firm ID number, see How to locate the firm ID number.

Note: We will send a confirmation message to you once we have received your request, and another when access has been restored. The turnaround time to restore access is typically 24 to 48 hours. After receiving the confirmation that access has been restored, you will need to close and re-open UltraTax CS to clear the EFIN diagnostic and Home Page alert.

Troubleshooting EFIN verification critical diagnostics and Home Page Alert

If UltraTax CS continues to display the EFIN diagnostic and Home Page alert after you complete the steps above, an unverified EFIN is still being used to create the electronic file. To resolve this, complete the following steps for UltraTax CS 2014-2016:

  1. Go to Setup > Office Configuration > E-Filing tab.
  2. On the E-Filing tab, mark the Several EFINs are being used checkbox.
  3. Go to the Preparers tab and edit the preparer.
  4. Review the EFIN entered in the Preparer EFIN (see instructions on the E-filing tab) field.
  5. If you find the unverified EFIN indicated in the diagnostics and alert, enter the verified EFIN you will use in the Preparer EFIN field. If you will electronically file all your returns using a single EFIN, this field may be left blank.
  6. Repeat steps 3-5 for each preparer.  
  7. If you will file using a single EFIN, return to the E-Filing tab and mark All returns in this office will file using a single EFIN.

Notes:

  • If you have multiple offices setup under Setup > Office Configuration > Office Setup button, switch offices and repeat steps 2-5 for each office.
  • You will need to complete steps 1-7 above for any workstation with an installation of UltraTax CS outside of your network. For example, an installation on a laptop used to take to a client's office.
  • If you do not use a network for UltraTax CS, any staff member with an installation of UltraTax CS on their workstation will need to complete these steps.

Related Topics

E-File application summary and EFIN requirement overview

E-File Help Center

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Internal only

  • You can check a firm's e-file approval status in EMS. For assistance, see Internal: Verifying e-file approval status in EMS.
  • If a firm is e-file approved and e-file services are blocked, you may be able to remove the block when the unverified EFIN will not be used to electronically file returns. For assistance, see Internal: Restoring e-file services when e-filing is disabled.
  • Set the right expectations with users when it comes to processing new e-file application summaries. The turnaround time is typically 24-48 hours, however can take up to seven business days during high volume times. We have been communicating this requirement to firms since early May, 2016. A timeline of communications can be found in the internal notes section of the E-file application summary and EFIN requirement overview.
  • Work with the Customer Service Call Facilitator for urgent requests to restore e-file services when the unverified EFIN will be used to file returns.