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Help Center  >  Pros  >  Practice Administration  >  Client Management

Professional Editions – EFIN Required Before Getting Started With E-Filing

If you are a preparer e-filing returns for the first time, see the following links for helpful information:

An Electronic Filing Identification Number (EFIN) is required to e-file returns. If you don’t already have an EFIN, apply today using the IRS’s e-Services – Online Tools for Tax Professionals. Learn more on the IRS Become an Authorized e-file Provider webpage.

IRS EFIN Requirements for Tax Professionals & Software Companies

The IRS requires tax software companies to collect and verify EFIN Tracking Numbers from its professional customers. Your Tracking Number appears on the IRS e-Services Summary in your IRS e-Services account.

Please submit a copy of that IRS e-file application summary (including Tracking Number) to TaxAct for verification. Having your EFIN verified prior to the start of tax season will help avoid disruption to your e-filing services. All EFINs will need to be verified prior to e-filing.

EFIN Verification

Generally, professionals who have been verified in the previous year will not need to be re-verified; however, TaxAct may request that you re-verify in order to e-file.

  1. Sign in to your TaxAct Account.
  2. Click Practice Administration.
  3. Click EFIN Verification to expand.
  4. Enter your EFIN and the Tracking Number found at the bottom of your IRS e-file Application Summary.
  5. Click Choose File to locate and attach your IRS e-file Application Summary. (PDF is preferred, but .jpg, .bmp and .png files are also accepted.)
  6. Check the box to indicate you are authorized to submit this information. Click Submit.
  7. We will notify you via email if your EFIN information is rejected for any reason, and your verification status will be available in your TaxAct Account within 2 business days.

You may remove an incorrect or dropped EFIN from the list by clicking Remove next to the EFIN. You can access this information any time in the Desktop program by clicking Preparer > Edit My Preparer Information > Electronic Filing Info.

To use your preparer information to receive e-file notifications, the check the box next to Use Preparer Information for E-file notifications. Please make sure if you have checked the box that you have entered your contact information on the Preparer Info screen, or an alert will appear. Both a mobile phone number and an e-mail address are required to receive notifications.

For step-by-step directions on printing the e-file Application Summary, see Access or Print the Application Summary from IRS e-Services.

Check Verification Status

After submission, check the verification status in your TaxAct account. We’ll notify you via email if your EFIN is rejected. For assistance, contact professional@taxactservice.com, or call (319) 731-2682. To check your EFIN status within your account:

  1. Sign in to your TaxAct account online, then click Practice Administration.
  2. Click the EFIN Verification dropdown to see your EFINs and statuses.

If you see an item that says “Verified,” your EFIN is verified and you do not need to resubmit. You do not submit each year, you would only submit again if you had a new EFIN.

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