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UPDATE! IRS Activates New Electronic Fingerprinting Process for Practitioners’ EFIN Applications
To Our Valued Partners,
Partner Support is sharing an important update from the IRS to our communications (Aug 15 Deadline – IRS Announces New Electronic Fingerprint Process for e-File Applications) we previously shared with our partners in July and again in August.
As part of the IRS Tax Practitioners EFIN application process, the IRS activated their new electronic fingerprint process as scheduled on Sunday, September 25. This new process replaces the previous step of mailing in fingerprint cards that was eliminated effective August 15, 2022.
For more details and instructions, please refer to the IRS Quick Alert, along with the updated Become an Authorized IRS e-File Provider webpage at IRS.gov and other helpful resources provided below.
Don’t forget, if you already have a valid EFIN (or need an additional EFIN) and there have been no changes to your Principal or Responsible Official(s) listed on your existing EFIN application already on file at IRS e-Services, no action on your part is required (with regard to submitting fingerprints).
IRS Quick Alert: ATTN: Authorized IRS e-file Providers/EROs – Sunday, Sept 25, 2022
Individuals are required to use the IRS authorized vendor for fingerprinting. Each new Principal and Responsible Official listed on a new e-file application or added to an existing application needing fingerprints, must schedule an appointment with the IRS authorized vendor. Individuals requiring fingerprints can obtain the scheduling link by accessing the e-file Application Summary page and using the scheduling link on the Terms of Agreement Signature(s) & Personal Information section. This link will only be visible to each Principal and Responsible Official when the application is successfully submitted, and fingerprints are required.
IRS.gov > Become an Authorized e-File Provider (webpage updated Sunday, Sept 25, 2022)
Provided below is an excerpt regarding the new electronic fingerprint process. For complete details and to access e-Services plus related EFIN resources, click on the webpage link above.
Excerpt….If the Principal or Responsible Official is certified or licensed, such as an attorney, CPA or enrolled agent, they must enter their current professional status information. Individuals who do not provide this information need to be fingerprinted using Fieldprint®, the IRS authorized vendor. Livescan fingerprinting is the process of capturing fingerprints electronically for submission to specific government agencies. Here are some important points.
- This fingerprinting service is free to you
- Once you submit your e-file application, you can schedule your appointment by accessing the e-file Application summary page and using the scheduling link on the Terms of Agreement Signature(s) & Personal Information section. The link is embedded with a unique ID and program code requiring each Principal and Responsible Official to schedule their own appointment
- The online scheduling tool will provide a list of Livescan locations within a 120-mile radius to schedule your electronic fingerprinting appointment. Livescan fingerprinting locations are located nationwide in all 50 states, D.C., Guam, Puerto Rico, Saipan and the U.S. Virgin Islands
- When the appointment is scheduled and confirmed, Fieldprint® will send an appointment reminder, highlighting the required forms of identification to bring as well as information for rescheduling the appointment, if needed.
Other EFIN Resources and Important Reminders:
- Your e-file application must be updated within 30 days of any changes such as individuals involved, addresses or telephone numbers. Failure to do so may result in the inactivation of your EFIN. Ensuring proper individuals are identified on the application, and updating as necessary.
- 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 EFIN.
Refer to the helpful IRS Resources below for a refresher and/or to obtain more details and information regarding applying for and maintaining your EFIN:
Thank you,
Your Partner Support Team |
