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With final rules T.D. 9040, the IRS has eliminated certain regulatory impediments to the electronic filing of Form 1040 with respect to taxpayers who also are required to file any [...]

The IRS has launched a new Web site featuring private-sector partners that will allow most taxpayers to prepare and file their taxes online for free (IR-2003-6). The service is available [...]

Most taxpayers can prepare and file their taxes cost-free this season with an online initiative. The Free File government partnership with 17 private tax-software companies makes a range of software [...]

The IRS has a major effort under way to educate new small businesses about tax laws. The program focuses on four areas: * Avoidance of tax schemes, including not withholding [...]

E-FILING AGREEMENT SIGNED: The Treasury Department has announced an agreement that would allow up to 78 million taxpayers to file their tax returns electronically without charge. The agreement between the [...]

Aimed at e-file newbies, the IRS and FTB are co-sponsoring a series of free workshops to teach the basics of e-filing. The e-file Workshop for Beginners will feature tips from [...]

Last month, the FTB began offering an online electronic installment agreement application on its website, www.ftb.ca.gov, that can speed up the process of applying for an installment agreement. To use [...]

Issues concerning cooperation between the public and private sectors to bring free electronic tax filing to taxpayers are examined. Topics include an endorsement by the Electronic Tax Administration Advisory Committee of a public-private consortium to create electronic filing opportunities, and the role of the states in free electronic filing.

* E-FILED AND COMPUTER RETURNS SURGE: The Internal Revenue Service continues to receive more tax returns electronically, with especially big increases in taxpayers e-filing from their own computers -- almost [...]

Issues concerning proposals in Pres George W. Bush's fiscal 2003 budget to encourage the electronic filing of tax returns are examined. Topics include the manner in which a government-sponsored free Web service may compete with commercial tax software, and the increased efficiency of electronic filing.

The Internal Revenue Service and the Michigan Department of Treasury are working together to make e-file easier for CPAs. Electronic filing, 'e-filing,' uses the preparer's computer, modem and tax preparation [...]

Employers currently devote time and effort to preparation of tax returns for their employees. This will change when tax information is transmitted electronically.

The Social Security Administration says that employers with no more than 10 Form W-2s can, starting January 7, 2002, complete and file their wage reporting forms over the Internet. The [...]

Issues concerning the administration of electronic tax filing for exempt organizations (EOs) are examined, focusing on the realtionship between EOs and the IRS. Topics include IRS requests for EO comments on the process, and possible changes to Form 990.

The Electronic Tax Administration Advisory Committee submitted its first annual report to Congress on Jun 30, 1999. It commented on methods by which the IRS can reach the goal of 80% electronic tax filing by 2007. The Committee noted it will need the support of congressional public relations and legislation to meets its goal.

It didn't take long for the IRS to set a new record for visits to its Web site. This spring the service recorded 531.3 million online visits from January 1 [...]

Most tax preparers are aware of the availability of electronic filing for individual income tax returns. Not as well known, however, is that preparers may also electronically file Form 4868, [...]

Electronic tax deposits through the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System will not be mandatory until Jan 1, 1999 for subject businesses according to IRS Commissioner Charles O. Rossotti. Rosotti's testimony before the House Ways and Means Oversight Subcommittee included his view of a successful IRS 1998 filing season due largely to customer service initiatives. Voluntary electronic filing and access to telephone customer service has increased over the prior season.

Several tips on tax preparations by accounting professionals are suggested. For example, the IRS PC version of tax form 1040 saves on paper and postage costs because it prints out two to four pages of even the most complex tax return information and includes line numbers and dollar amounts only. This version is accepted by the state as a copy of the federal return that is to be attached to form 540 and is handled quite efficiently by a few leading tax software programs. Another tip has to do with short period corporate returns. Here, a client who liquidates his business entity on Jan 2, 1997 must file a 1997 tax return even if the entity conducts no operating activity from Jan 1, 1997-Jan 2, 1997., Many CPAs have never heard of the IRS PC version of Form 1040. It is a two- or three-page printout of the tax return information, with line numbers and dollar [...]

More than 1.2 million business taxpayers are required to make their federal tax payments electronically through the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System this year. Other businesses will be phased into [...]

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is applauded in its decision to open up its own Web site, which is seen as an extension service of the agency. The site enables taxpayers to download tax forms, instructions, tax tables and rates and significant laws and regulations. In the future, the IRS may also adopt tax filing via telephone.

Payment-system operators are preparing for a flood of transactions when smaller corporations begin filing tax payments electronically this year. Under a federal mandate connected to the North America Free Trade [...]

An increasing number of taxpayers are submitting their tax returns via the telephone. In addition, they are now able to pay their taxes through the phone. TaxConnect, already used by approximately 30 states providing telefiling services, offers taxpayers the choice of payment and filing by phone. Since persuading taxpayers to shift to phone-based transaction can be difficult, state tax authorities such as the Massachusetts Dept. of Revenue are offering incentives., More and more state taxpayers are filing their tax returns by telephone, and new applications of technology are also making paying by phone a fairly common occurrence. About 30 states [...]

This month's survey indicates that although users like the efficiency, accuracy, and flexibility of tax-preparation software, they prefer to mail their returns the old-fashioned way instead of filing them via […]

Companies are confused about the Internal Revenue Services' mandatory on-line deposit system. Bankers and private-sector officials are unclear about several aspects of the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System, including when the system will be available. The system was developed to offset federal revenue declines by speeding corporate tax remittances., Bankers and corporate officials are grumbling about continued delays and confusion in dealing with a federal requirement that tax deposits be made electronically. Private-sector officials said they need further clarification [...]

* SOME NEW EP/EO FILING LOCATIONS: The IRS continues to consolidate EP/EO processing. Letter requests and applications formerly sent to the key district offices in Atlanta and Baltimore now must [...]

IRS is expanding the electronic signature pilot it began this year. Its goal is to let more taxpayers do away with sending the agency any paper at all. Now, even […]

WASHINGTON -- The Internal Revenue Service is offering new opportunities to file tax returns from home with its on-line filing program. CompuServe and five transmission companies allow users of nine [...]

The IRS and the DOL continue to encourage firms with 10 or more workers to file Forms 5500 and business tax returns electronically despite company fears regarding security issues and a need for signed audited statements by an accountant. The IRS currently has insufficient data to gauge electronic-filing costs, benefits, and incentives, versus paper-filing for various returns. The IRS feels electronic filings would speed up reviews, reduce errors and effect significant cost reductions., In our May 1995 issue, Pension Management examined the government's attempt to encourage electronic filing of business tax returns and Forms 5500, and why companies were reluctant to cooperate. Corporate [...]