IR-2002-122, Nov. 21, 2002
WASHINGTON ¨C The Internal Revenue Service advises tax professionals who would like to e-file tax returns for their clients during 2003 to file their applications soon. The form must be submitted by those new to the e-file program and by those who need to update prior applications.
¡°Tax professionals know that their clients want e-file because it¡¯s fast, error free, and provides proof that the IRS has received it.¡± said Terry Lutes, Director, Electronic Tax Administration. ¡°This filing season, more than 99 percent of the forms and schedules related to Form 1040 can be filed electronically.¡±
Tax professionals should submit Form 8633, ¡°Application to Participate in the IRS e-file Program,¡± by Dec. 2 if they want to provide e-file services on the first day of the e-filing season ¨C Jan. 10. Although the IRS will accept applications until May 31, the sooner tax professionals apply, the sooner they can offer e-file to their customers.
The e-file program has grown exponentially since it began as a pilot in 1986 when fewer than 25,000 returns were filed electronically. This year, almost 47 million tax returns were filed electronically ¨C an increase of more than 16 percent over last year. Of that 47 million, more than 33 million were filed through tax professionals.
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