IRS To Require Fingerprinting for Electronic Filing
As part of efforts to improve its authentication procedures, the IRS recently announced it will be mandating a new electronic fingerprinting process for e-file applications for tax practitioners starting Sept. 25.
In an email to tax professionals, the IRS said each new principal and responsible official listed on a new e-file application or added to an existing application will be required to use an IRS-authorized vendor for fingerprinting.
The cutoff date to mail paper fingerprint cards (Form FD-258) to the IRS is Aug. 15, and cards also must be postmarked by the same date. The application must be submitted prior to mailing the fingerprint cards. The IRS will not process fingerprint cards postmarked after Aug. 15, 2022.
The IRS also said those needing fingerprints will need to wait until Sept. 25 to schedule an electronic fingerprinting appointment. On that date, they can schedule an appointment on the e-file application summary page of the IRS website. Instructions for scheduling an appointment will be provided upon submitting an e-file application as well as on IRS.gov.
The IRS will release more details about the new process on Sept. 25. For more information, see the agency’s Become an Authorized e-file Provider page.