E-help desk for tax professionals

E-help Desk assists tax professionals such as enrolled agents, reporting agents, electronic return originators, certified public accountants, software developers, and transmitters with non-account related questions and issues concerning e-products.

E-help desk toll-free number

866-255-0654

Note: Callers who are outside of the 50 U.S. states and/or U.S. territories should use the international phone number: 512-416-7750.

Taxpayers who file their returns electronically using a tax preparer or online software should not be referred to the e-help Desk. If you are an individual taxpayer and have questions about electronic filing, visit our help page for individuals.

The e-help Desk assistors support IRS e-file Individual and Business, EFTPS, SAM, and e-Services customers.

Phone options have changed. Please listen to all the menu options before selection. Use the following bulleted options as reference.

From the main menu:

• Press (1) for e-File, ERO, ITIN related information
• Press (2) for e-Service related information
• Press (3) for EFTPS (Electronic Federal Tax Payment System)
• Press (4) for SAM (System Award Management)
• Press (5) for FATCA on-line registration (Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act)

From the (e-File, ERO, ITIN) sub-menu:

• Press (1) for individual returns
• Press (2) for business and non-profit returns
• Press (3) for e-File applications
• Press (4) for suitability

From the (e-Services) sub-menu:

• Press (1) for Taxpayer Identification Number matching (TIN matching)
• Press (2) for Transcript Delivery System
• Press (3) for Short ID

E-help desk hours

Monday thru Friday
6:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. Central time

What products does the e-help desk support?

• e-Services: a suite of web-based products that allows third parties and payers to conduct business with the IRS electronically.
• IRS e-file Application: allows a business or organization to become an Authorized e-file provider to participate in the e-file program.
• Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) Matching: enables authorized payers (firms who withhold or make specified payments to the IRS) to verify a TIN and name combination.
• Transcript Delivery System (TDS): allows the tax preparer to request transcripts and Wage and Income documents from the IRS.

E-file: An electronic submission of taxpayer return data

• Individual returns: filing any of the Form 1040 family of returns and associated forms and schedules and the processing of electronic payments attached to the return.
• Employment and fiduciary returns: filing of Forms 940, 941, 944, and 1041.
• Business returns: filing of Forms 720, 1065, 1065-B, 1120, 1120-F, 1120-S, 2290, 7004, and 8849.
• Exempt organizations information returns: filing of Forms 990, 990-EZ, 990-PF, 1120-POL, 8868, 7004, and 990N e-Postcard.
• Modernized e-File (MeF), Assurance Testing System (ATS): testing required for software developers and transmitters who transmit individual and business returns to the IRS.

Who must e-file?

E-file requirement for tax return preparers: The law requires tax return preparers and firms who reasonably expect to file 11 or more covered returns in calendar year 2013 and thereafter, to e-file the returns they prepare and file. For 2013, covered returns are Forms 1040, 1040-A, 1040-EZ, and 1041. If this requirement will cause an undue hardship, apply for a waiver by completing Form 8944, Preparer e-file Hardship Waiver Request. For more information, go to IRS.gov, keyword "e-file requirement".

Excise tax filers of Form 2290, Heavy Highway Vehicle Use Tax Return, who register 25 or more vehicles for any taxable period.

Corporations and tax-exempt organizations who file Forms 990, 1120, 1120-F, and 1120-S have assets of $10 million or more, and who file at least 250 returns annually. These returns include income tax, excise tax, employment tax, and information returns such as Forms W-2 and 1099.

Private foundations and charitable trusts who file at least 250 returns annually (including Forms W-2, 1099, and others).

Partnerships with more than 100 partners.

Tools and tips for authorized IRS e-file providers

• Need to know where to transmit individual e-file returns? Refer to Part 1 of Publication 1346, Electronic Return File Specifications for Individual Income Tax Returns. Go to IRS.gov, keyword "Pub 1346".
• Subscribe to Quick Alerts to receive valuable and important e-file information throughout the filing season. Go to IRS.gov, keyword "Quick Alerts’"
• Contact your state e-file coordinator to take advantage of filing federal and state returns at the same time. Go to IRS.gov, keyword "federal/state e-file".
• Update an e-file application within 30 days of any change to prevent an electronic filing identification number (EFIN) from being deactivated. Refer to Publication 3112, IRS e-file Application and Participation, for rules and requirements for participation in IRS e-file. Go to IRS.gov, keyword "Pub 3112".
• Order or download the following publications from IRS.gov:
  • Publication 1345, Handbook for Authorized IRS e-file Providers of Individual Income Tax Returns
  • Publication 2043, IRS Refund Information Guidelines for the Tax Preparation Community
• Report suspected tax fraud activity by completing Form 3949-A, Information Referral at IRS.gov, keyword "Form 3949-A" or by calling the Tax Fraud Hotline at 800-829-0433.