How to Become a Reporting Agent Shelley Dockstader Sr. Tax Analyst John Myett National Account Manger

What is a Reporting Agent?

Reporting Agent (RA) Roles, Responsibilities, & Opportunities Revenue Procedures Forms and Publications Products and Services What’s New Other Authorizations 3

Revenue Procedure 2007-38 Provides requirements for completing and submitting Form 8655 Form 8655 allows taxpayer to designate an RA Sign and file tax returns Make federal tax deposits (FTDs) and other federal tax payments (FTPs) Receive duplicate copies of notices and other information if authorized by your client.

Types of Returns Covered Sign and file on paper Forms 940PR 941PR, 941SS 943, 943PR 944, 944PR, 944SP, 944SS 945 1042 CT-1 Sign and e-file Forms 940 941 944 These authorities also apply to amended returns and successor forms

Exceptions to e-file Requirement Late receipt of payroll information Rejected electronic submission Paper filing allowed Service requests paper returns

Things to Do Evaluate e-file software Apply for e-file Secure and file Forms 8655 Insure clients are ready for electronic deposits (EFTPS)

Applying for e-file Register for e-Services Complete e-file application Select reporting agent role Indicate whether you will transmit or use 3rd party

Form 8655 Reporting Agent Authorization (RAA) Each client required to sign an RAA Refer to Publication 1474 Can submit on paper if <100 Must include list of EINs (Agent List) Must submit on mag tape if >100 Allow 10 days for IRS to process

Substitute Forms May use an IRS approved substitute Form 8655 Refer to Publication 1167 for guidance

Who Must Sign If sole proprietor or single member LLC, must be owner’s signature Others can sign, but must complete IRS POA, Form 2848, and attach to 8655 If entity is a corporation, a duly authorized official may sign

Benefits of Form 8655 Receive copies of notices and other correspondence (optional) Obtain tax deposit frequency files (optional) Discuss tax matters with IRS.

EFTPS More accurate than paper coupons Better documentation More easily verified

Products Available for Reporting Agents e-Services Deposit Frequency File

e-Services Transcript Delivery System (TDS) Electronic Account Resolution (EAR) TDS MIS Report Taxpayer ID Number (TIN) Matching

Deposit Frequency File Receive updated deposit frequency for each authorized client Use to verify client information Receive 12 times a year Delivered electronically

What’s Coming Bulk Electronic Notice Delivery Electronic RAA submission e-Signature

Avoiding Suspension Comply with e-file requirements Submit payments after obtaining authorization Cooperate with IRS in monitoring abuse

Other Authorizations Form 2848, Power of Attorney and Declaration of Representative Form 8821, Tax Information Authorization

Form 2848 Must be an individual eligible to practice Recorded on Centralized Authorization File (CAF) H Designation

Form 8821 Designates an “appointee,” which can be an individual, firm, etc. Recorded generally on Centralized Authorization File Allows “Specific Use” request

Know Your Responsibilities Familiarize your company with relevant procedures Check News from RAF on irs.gov

Questions? Shelley Dockstader, Shelley.M.Dockstader@irs.gov Sr. Tax Analyst SBSE - CLD Payroll & Practitioner Stakeholder Liaison John Myett, John.Myett@irs.gov National Account Manger – Electronic Tax Administration

Thank you!