MeF shutdown

[mjmcmurrycpa]

The IRS is shutting down the Mef system on 11/21/2020.  I am in a disaster area that has an extended due date of 12/15/2020.  If I efile a 2019 tax return after 11/21/2020 but before 12/15/2020 will it get processed as a timely filed return?

[Just-Lisa-Now-]

You won't be able to Efile an individual 1040 return after 11/21/20, the system will be shut down. Youd have to file by paper.

[sjrcpa]

Or await until efiling opens again in January. I'd wait if the client is getting refunds since a return efiled in January will get processed quicker than a paper return mailed in December.

[TaxGuyBill]

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@sjrcpa wrote:

Or await until efiling opens again in January. I'd wait if the client is getting refunds since a return efiled in January will get processed quicker than a paper return mailed in December.

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But be very cautious about filing a tax return late.  Just because there is a refund does not necessarily mean filing late is okay.  The are some elections that need to be on a timely filed return, and filing late would void those.  One example is the Standard Mileage Rate.  If you want to elect to use the Standard Mileage Rate in the first year of the vehicle, it must be on a timely filed return.  If it is not, you are stuck with Actual Expenses.