July 11, 2022
IRS introduces new electronic fingerprinting process requirement for practitioners’ e-File applications
Beginning September 25, 2022, the IRS will implement a new process to allow for electronic fingerprinting for tax professional e-file applicants.
Tax practitioners will be required to use an IRS-authorized vendor for fingerprinting. Each new Principal and Responsible Official listed on a new e-file application as well as any additional responsible official added to an existing application needing fingerprints must schedule an appointment with an IRS-authorized vendor. Form FD-258, which is a paper fingerprint card and is due to the IRS by August 15, 2022. Fingerprint cards must be postmarked by August 15, 2022, and the e-File application must be submitted before mailing the fingerprint cards.
The IRS will not process fingerprint cards postmarked after August 15, 2022. If the applicant misses the deadline, they must wait until September 25, 2022, to schedule an electronic fingerprinting appointment. On September 25, 2022, appointments may be scheduled by accessing the scheduling link located on the e-file application summary page. Instructions for scheduling an appointment will be provided after submitting an e-file application and on IRS.gov website. The IRS indicates it will provide additional information about the new fingerprinting process on September 25, 2022. As reminder taxpayers are not directly affected by these changes. The new fingerprinting process is a part of the IRS’s overall effort to improve its tax professionals’ authentication processes and improve the cyber security for tax professionals and their taxpayer client data.
The Agency states that practitioners should check the Authorized e-file Provider webpage for the most up-to-date information.
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Maria is a Partner at Wilke & Associates, serving closely held businesses in manufacturing, real estate, transportation/logistics, technology industries, and high net worth individuals and executives in delivering effective tax strategies.