third party efin share?

[Austin_Cat]

Hello. I might have thought this inappropriate if an IRS agent herself did not suggest it. It has been 67 days since my application was submitted for an EFIN. I've called and called and checked daily for months now. I was told that they had sent a letter telling me they needed an additional 60 days past the initial 45. Obviously this is hopeless for this season. I have not received the letter even though it was sent almost 2 weeks ago.

In any case, I'm seeing third party efilers willing to share their EFIN. Well, actually I only found one. What do you guys think about this as a temporary solution? Is this shady? Thanks in advance.

[sjrcpa]

An EFIN holder cannot allow someone else to use their EFIN.

However, an EFIN holder may transmit returns prepared by someone else. I don't know of anyone who does this, but it is allowed, probably with some rules attached.

[IRonMaN]

Sometimes curiosity kills the cat and an occasional coyote, but I'm curious why you submitted the application 67 days ago ------- tax season was already in progress at that point.

[Austin_Cat]

Life comes at ya hard and fast. You quit a job with every intention of regrouping and spending all your time studying for your final exam, then boom 7 people want you to do their taxes.

All I can say is that if everything in life was planned perfectly I'd get bored real quick.

Also, I'm rather ignorant and new to this game. So there's that. 

Answer your question?

[Austin_Cat]

Thanks! Research tells me that it is common amongst CPAs who are in the same general locale and trust one another. I've heard from several today. There are all manners of reasons an EFIN can be cancelled or not issued in time, change in location not approved in time, we all know the IRS don't we?

I also learned from a CPA in practice almost 40 years that paper file is often best for many reasons not the least of which it lessens the chance of audit. So there's that.  

I don't know nothin'

[sjrcpa]

" paper file is often best for many reasons not the least of which it lessens the chance of audit. "

Not true.

[IRonMaN]

Sounds like that CPA has been paper filing all of these years and that's the story that he tells his clients.

[Austin_Cat]

Okie dokie. Heard that from a professor as well. Computer system is different, as far as scanning numbers? Anywho just hear to learn so not sure who is right or if anyone is. Did either of you work for IRS?

[Austin_Cat]

You know what now that I think about it, it was extending that lessened the chances, not paper file. But when I went on my states society site, everyone chimed in that there was NOTHING wrong with paper file and that in fact many complex returns are paper filed. I found that in my experience at a medium sized firm. Apologies for my confusion.

[sjrcpa]

"it was extending that lessened the chances, not paper file"

Also not true.

efiling provides an acknowledgement that the return was efiled and accepted. Paper doesn't.

efiled returns are processed faster than paper, except for amended returns.

With paper returns, someone at the IRS keys in the numbers. Errors ensue. efiled returns go into the IRS system directly.

[George4Tacks]

Can I e-file a return for another provider or preparer? (updated Oct. 10, 2024) Yes, if the provider...