 internal revenue service IRS tax news tax pros can apply to be an IRS authorized e-file provider in a few simple steps simple steps are good I don't like difficult steps like the steps on one of those Egyptian step pyramids each step being like six feet high imagine having to walk up those steps every night to go to bed I'm a simple person with simple tastes good food good drink and simple steps anyways first an attempt at a joke at the last audit the IRS said my client's business had run a muck which is great because if you run it well there's good money in the muck business there's always money in the banana stand honestly I think the IRS has a misconception about muck because of the mismanagement of the government swamp one dip in that toxic muck and your DNA will be permanently mutated you'll grow a camel hump or a zeitberg face oh but the muck can't be blamed for its mismanagement any more than the plumbing can be blamed for the problems caused by installing one of those dang water conserving toilets as we can see in Washington if you don't apply resources properly to manage muck the muck winds up managing you just as exemplified in president Biden's last speech which harkened back to the distant echoes of John F Kennedy ask not how to manage muck ask how muck can manage you ask not what your country can do for you ask where the hell am I I think they have it backwards I know Phil managing muck is painful you mock my pain life is pain highness anyone who says differently is selling something I get it it's far easier to allow the muck to manage you so long star now you see that evil will always triumph because good is dumb IRS tax tip 2022-148 September 27 2022 over 90% of all individual federal tax returns are filed electronically becoming an IRS authorized e-file provider there's a link to that here is important for tax preparers who want to keep up with client demand and grow their business all it takes is a few simple steps tax pros need to sign in or create an account for e-services access and complete the application the e-file application is located on the IRS dot gov e-services webpage under the e-file provider services section there's a link to that here if you want to get there a little bit more quickly the access the to access the e-file application providers need to log in with an existing IRS online account or register with the IRS's credential service provider during the application process providers can complete the application on their own pace or at their own pace that should be they can even save their progress and return to the application later to complete the application providers will need so when you go into that application process here's the stuff you want in front of you fill out identification information for their firm enter information about each principal and responsible official in their organization choose the e-file provider option return preparers who want to offer e-file to their clients should select electronic return originator get electronically fingerprinted if needed if the principal or responsible official is certified or licensed such as the attorney CPA or enrolled agent they must enter their current professional status information all other individuals will need to be fingerprinted the IRS recently transitioned to a new electronic fingerprinting process applicants must schedule an appointment with the IRS authorized vendor for fingerprinting the scheduling link is located on the e-file application summary page there is no charge for this service pass a suitability check after the IRS receives the application and required information the agency will conduct a suitability check which may include a credit check tax compliance check criminal background check check for prior non-compliance with IRS e-file requirements it can take up to 45 days from the date of submission for the IRS to approve an application once an application is approved the IRS will mail an acceptance letter with the preparer's electronic filing identification number there's a link to that here more information can be found at the link below at publication 3 1 1 2 IRS e-file application and participation there's a link to that here there'll be a link to all the other stuff I said there was a link to you so if you want to check these options out then check out the link to this in the description