IRS to require new electronic fingerprinting process for practitioners’ e-File applications

What is it?

Beginning September 25, 2022, the IRS will implement a new electronic fingerprinting process for tax professional e-file applicants.

Who is affected?

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 or added to an existing application needing fingerprints must schedule an appointment with an IRS-authorized vendor. The cutoff date to mail paper fingerprint cards (Form FD-258) to the IRS is August 15, 2022. Fingerprint cards must be postmarked by August 15, 2022, and the application must be submitted before mailing the fingerprint cards.

What if you miss the August 15 deadline?

The IRS says it will not process fingerprint cards postmarked after August 15, 2022. Those needing fingerprints 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.

The IRS indicates it will provide additional information about the new fingerprinting process on September 25, 2022.

The Agency states that practitioners should check the Authorized e-file Provider webpage for the most up-to-date information.

Who is not affected?

Taxpayers aren’t directly affected by this change.

Why is the IRS making this change?

The new fingerprinting process is a part of the IRS’s overall effort to improve its tax professionals’ authentication processes and enhance the cyber security of tax professionals and their taxpayer client data as they increasingly use IRS webpages and online tools on behalf of their taxpayer clients.