Foreign US tax preparer seeking e-filing piggyback

[SOAK]

Hello,

Does anyone know of a firm or two that allows foreign (non-US citizen) preparers to piggyback their e-filing since, as per 8948, foreign preparers must file paper returns otherwise?

Thanks for any tips.

[Terry53029]

Try Google

[TaxGuyBill]

---

@SOAK wrote:

foreign preparers must file paper returns otherwise?

---

I could be wrong, but I don't think that is the case.

You need either a Social Security Number or an EIN in order to get an EFIN.

You should be able to get an EIN without a Social Security Number (although if you don't have an ITIN either, I don't think you can apply for the EIN online, so you'll need to apply for the EIN by fax or mail).

[SOAK]

thanks Terry, that's helpful, it's obviously quite niche

apparently this firm does http://www.pdptax.com/services/foreign.html as they explain but are not responding 

[SOAK]

No it is definitely possible and I presume more than 1 firm can offer this

[George4Tacks]

This site seems to show all the steps and offers you an option to pay them to do the steps. https://www.entity.inc/blog/how-to-get-ein-non-resident/#:~:text=Yes.,with%20an%20SSN%20or%20ITIN).

[SOAK]

I don't need an EIN & this procedure does not require one, my ultimate goal is to be able to e-file as a non-US citizen tax preparer

[George4Tacks]

Do you have a PTIN? https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f8946.pdf

[SOAK]

Yes (of course), I have been a tax preparer for 30 years

[George4Tacks]

I would trust what @itonewbie says in this post. He was in Hong Kong and has moved to England. He had EFIN with both. 

[SOAK]

Yes but he is a US citizen, I am not.

I am Irish living & working in Belgium, started with Deloitte's US expat tax practice in Brussels in 1995, have remained abroad doing US expat taxes ever since.

See form 8948 box 6.

[TaxGuyBill]

---

@SOAK wrote:

I don't need an EIN & this procedure does not require one, 

---

At first glance, this IRS webpage disagrees with that.  It says "The firm may apply with the employer identification number (EIN) or the owners Social Security number as a sole proprietor."

https://www.irs.gov/e-file-providers/faqs-about-electronic-filing-identification-numbers-efin