IRS MeF Shutdown/Cutover Schedule (Individual and Business)

Review this comprehensive checklist to ensure your office is ready for the fast approaching 2017 filing season.

Please monitor the MeF Status Page for any updates IRS MeF Status

To ensure that all Form 1040 tax returns e-filed through the Modernized e-File (MeF) system are processed timely, this year’s1040 MeF Production Shutdown/Cutover and acknowledgment retrieval schedule has been established. It is imperative that everyone adhere to the schedule shown below.


1040 MeF Shutdown/Cutover Schedule

• IRS stopped accepting returns and delivering acks at 11:59am EST Wednesday November 30, 2016.  
• Included in this announcement are e-files for Tax Years 2013, 2014 and 2015.   
• After the cutoff time, the Electronic Filing Center (EFC) will not accept Individual Returns (Federal and State) until IRS comes back online January 23, 2017
• Customers may continue picking up acknowledgements from the EFC through mid-December.
• 1040 efile opening date is Monday January 23, 2017. At that time, current year 2016 returns plus 2015 and 2014 prior year returns will be efileable.

IRS Announcement: IR-2016-167, Dec. 9, 2016                                                                            

excerpts below and link to full article posted soon 

WASHINGTON ― The Internal Revenue Service announced today that the nation’s tax season will begin Monday, Jan. 23, 2017 and reminded taxpayers claiming certain tax credits to expect a longer wait for refunds.

....

The IRS reminds taxpayers that a new law requires the IRS to hold refunds claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC) until Feb. 15. In addition, the IRS wants taxpayers to be aware it will take several days for these refunds to be released and processed through financial institutions. Factoring in weekends and the President’s Day holiday, the IRS cautions that many affected taxpayers may not have actual access to their refunds until the week of Feb. 2

Business MeF Shutdown/Cutover Schedule

• IRS shut down for business efile is Dec 26th.  
• ATX EFC stops accepting federal and state efiles at 9:00pm EDT December 22nd.  This includes 2015, 2014, and 2013 efiles. 
• ATX stops efiling a few days prior to IRS to allow agencies to post their acknowledgements for pick up.  Not all state agencies process returns in “real-time”. 
• Dec 26th is a federal holiday and ATX is closed Dec 23-26. 
• The IRS will begin accepting Business tax returns on January 6, 2017.  At that time, current year 2016 returns plus 2015 and 2014 prior year returns will be efileable.

IRS 1040 and Business Efile Shutdown/Cutover Schedule

Review this comprehensive checklist to ensure your office is ready for the fast approaching 2017 filing season.

Please monitor the MeF Status Page for any updates IRS MeF Status

To ensure that all Form 1040 tax returns e-filed through the Modernized e-File (MeF) system are processed timely, this year’s1040 MeF Production Shutdown/Cutover and acknowledgment retrieval schedule has been established. It is imperative that everyone adhere to the schedule shown below.


1040 MeF Shutdown/Cutover Schedule

• IRS stopped accepting returns and delivering acks at 11:59am EST Wednesday November 30, 2016.  
• Included in this announcement are e-files for Tax Years 2013, 2014 and 2015.   
• After the cutoff time, the Electronic Filing Center (EFC) will not accept Individual Returns (Federal and State) until IRS comes back online January 23, 2017
• Customers may continue picking up acknowledgements from the EFC through mid-December.
• 1040 efile opening date is Monday January 23, 2017. At that time, current year 2016 returns plus 2015 and 2014 prior year returns will be efileable.

IRS Announcement: IR-2016-167, Dec. 9, 2016                                                                            

excerpts below and link to full article posted soon 

WASHINGTON ― The Internal Revenue Service announced today that the nation’s tax season will begin Monday, Jan. 23, 2017 and reminded taxpayers claiming certain tax credits to expect a longer wait for refunds.

....

The IRS reminds taxpayers that a new law requires the IRS to hold refunds claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC) until Feb. 15. In addition, the IRS wants taxpayers to be aware it will take several days for these refunds to be released and processed through financial institutions. Factoring in weekends and the President’s Day holiday, the IRS cautions that many affected taxpayers may not have actual access to their refunds until the week of Feb. 2

Business MeF Shutdown/Cutover Schedule

• IRS shut down for business efile is Dec 26th.  
• TaxWise EFC stops accepting federal and state efiles at 11:59pm EDT December 22nd.  This includes 2015, 2014, and 2013 efiles. 
• TW stops efiling a few days prior to IRS to allow agencies to post their acknowledgements for pick up.  Not all state agencies process returns in “real-time”. 
• Dec 26th is a federal holiday and TaxWise is closed Dec 23-26. 
• The IRS will begin accepting Business tax returns on January 6, 2017.  At that time, current year 2016 returns plus 2015 and 2014 prior year returns will be efileable.

Important Information Regarding Filing Deadlines

This blog contains some important information regarding end of season filing dates, extensions, and bank cutoff dates.  Please take the time to read it and contact Refunds Today Support should you have any questions.

Tax Year 2015 Filing Deadlines

2015 e-file Calendar	Filing Deadline
Last date for transmitting timely filed returns (MA and/or ME returns - April 19, 2016)	April 18, 2016
Last date for transmitting timely filed Forms 4868	April 18, 2016
Last date for re-transmitting rejected timely filed returns	April 23, 2016
Last date for re-transmitting rejected timely filed Forms 4868	April 23, 2016
Last date to submit new IRS e-file Applications	No cut-off date
Last date for transmitting returns on extension from Form 4868	October 17, 2016
Last date for re-transmitting rejected late or returns on extension from Form 4868	October 22, 2016

Extensions

Don't miss out on one of the last chances to increase your Income Tax profits! Begin e-filing your client's Federal Form 4868 extensions.  You can increase your profits and provide better customer service by offering your clients the peace of mind that 4868 e-filing provides.

• Assurance that the IRS will receive the extension on time, as you will receive an IRS acknowledgement receipt
• Assurance that the extension will not be "lost in the mail"
• Relief in knowing neither you nor your clients will have to wait in long lines at the post office
• Best of all, it's fast and easy to e-file extensions

4868 General Information

It is suggested to submit any extensions at the latest by 10:00 PM YOUR local time on April 18^th although the IRS deadline is 11:00 PM. The last day to retransmit rejected timely filed Forms 1040 or Extension Forms 4868 and gain IRS acceptance is Saturday, April 23^rd , 2016.  The cost for each E-filed extension is $5.00.
Detailed instructions for successfully filing Form 4868 can be found on the Refunds Today website under Support > Miscellaneous Forms.

Check Form 4868 Statuses

1.     Checking Extension Form 4868 Status

a.     Click on Reports > Reports List > IRS Extension Summary. Click OK.

b.     Default Report Criteria should display Extensions filed. Click OK to view all extensions filed.

c.     This report will show all accepted or rejected 4868 returns.

Note:    This report is used to check the "EF Status" of Extension Forms 4868.

Making Payments

Electronic Funds Withdrawal

The Refunds Today software supports electronic funds withdrawal with Form 4868. If the taxpayer is filing an extension, they are still required to make any payment due by April 18^th. On the Main Information Worksheet under the Self-Select and Practitioner Pin(s) section, be sure to select the Form 4868 with Direct Debit in both places. Make sure to enter the PIN information for this type of return.

Mailing a Payment

If the taxpayer mails the payment, Form 1040-V is not required. The taxpayer simply needs to write their Social Security number, daytime telephone number, and "2015 Form 4868" on the check or money order.

Credit/Debit Card Payments

For the 2015 filing season, the IRS supports the following e-pay service providers for both electronic and paper filers. Each company has its own convenience fee schedule, and each offers both phone and Internet payment services. A full list can be found on the IRS website at http://www.irs.gov/uac/Pay-Taxes-by-Credit-or-Debit-Card

Service Provider	Telephone (English/Spanish)	Website	Convenience Fees (Credit Card)	Convenience Fees (ATM/Debit-Card)	Customer Service Number
Link2Gov Corporation	1-888-PAY1040tm (1-888-729-1040)	PAY1040.com	1.87%	$2.59	1-888-658-5465
WorldPay US, Inc.	1-844-729-8298	PayUSAtax.com	1.99%	$2.69	1-855-508-0159 (live operator) 1-844-825-8729 (automated - 24/7)
Official Payments Corporation	1-888-UPAY-TAXtm (1-888-872-9829)	officialpayments.com	2.25%	$2.50 ($3.95 flat fee over $1,000)	1-877-754-4413

Bank Product Deadlines

BANK	Phone Number	Last Day to Apply	Site Printed Check	ACH - Direct Deposit	Check Stale Date
TPG	800-779-7228	10/20/2016	10/31/2016	12/31/2016	90 Days after printing
Refund Advantage	800-967-4934	Year Round	Year Round	Year Round	12/31/2016
River City	888-820-7848	12/9/2016	6/15/2016	12/31/2016	6/17/2016
Republic	866-491-1040	10/15/2016	6/1/2016	12/31/2016	6/30 or 90 Days after checks are printed

If you have any questions, please contact the Refunds Today Support Staff at 323-261-0240.

How to Stay On Top of Your E-Files

With the filing deadline fast approaching, now is the time to make sure you stay on top of the returns you file.  These few reports will allow you to see returns that have been transmitted to both the IRS and the State, as well as returns that have been rejected by the IRS, the State, or the filing center.  With these, you will have the information you need to confidently help your clients.
Returns Submitted and Awaiting IRS Acknowledgment - Make sure you transmit to the filing center to pick up the latest acknowledgement files and that you process the acknowledgement file(s).

• From the Main Page, click on Reports > Reports List
• Choose Awaiting IRS Acks Summary and Click OK 
• Do not change the search criteria and Click OK
• Report will display all returns waiting for an IRS Acknowledgement

IMPORTANT - After getting and processing all your acknowledgements, if you see a return in this report that has a "Date Sent" more than 2 days ago, please contact customer service and we will assist you in re-transmitting the return. 
Returns Submitted and Awaiting State Acknowledgment - Again, make sure you transmit and process your acknowledgements. 

• From the Main Page, click on Reports > Reports List
• Choose Awaiting State Acks Summary and Click OK 
• Do not change the search criteria and Click OK
• Report will display and show all returns waiting for a State Acknowledgement

IMPORTANT - State returns are NOT being transmitted until the Federal return is accepted. You will see a small 'lock" next to these returns. Once the Federal return is accepted, this 'lock" will disappear and the return will be queued for transmission. All States with the exception of CA and MA allow the ERO to "unlink" the Federal from the State return and submit separately.
Returns Rejected by the IRS or the Filing Center - Again, make sure you transmit and process your acknowledgements. 

• From the Main Page, click on Reports > Reports List
• Choose Outstanding Rejected Returns and Click OK
• Do not change the search criteria and Click OK
• Report will show all rejected returns from both the IRS and the filing center.

Any reject code will be displayed in the last column.  Detailed information on the specific reject, either IRS, State, or Filing Center, can be found in the acknowledgment reports printed for that day or by pressing CTRL-Q, searching for the SSN, and clicking on the Reject tab. 
E-File Status and Federal E-File Summary - Again, make sure you transmit and process your acknowledgements.

• From the Main Page, click on Reports > Reports List
• Choose IRS Electronic Filing Summary and Click OK
• Do not change the search criteria and Click OK
• Report will show the current E-File status of all returns in your system.
• As this may be a large report, you may want to export to Excel for sort functionality.

Use this report to review any return that you expect to have "IRS Accepted" under the E-File Status, but currently shows a different status.  The final page of the report will provide you with a summary of all e-files created, accepted, and rejected.
State E-File Status - Again, make sure you transmit and process your acknowledgements.

• From the Main Page, click on Reports > Reports List
• Choose State E-File Status and Click OK
• Do not change the search criteria and Click OK
• Report will show the current E-File status of State returns in your system.
• As this may be a large report, you may want to export to Excel for sort functionality.

Use this report to review any return that you expect to have "State Accepted" under the E-File Status, but currently shows a different status.  The final page of the report will provide you with a summary of all State e-files created, accepted, and rejected.


Refunds Today Customer Support

Illinois Department of Revenue Holding Refunds until March 1

Illinois Security Measures Enacted; IL-1040 Refund Release Date Impacted. The Illinois Department of Revenue is taking additional steps to protect Illinois taxpayers from identity theft and fraud. To ensure the security and confidentiality of taxpayer information, the Department has initiated a review process to combat against fraudulently filed returns. As a result of the new security measures, refunds may take longer to process this year than in previous years.

For more information, please visit the Illinois Department of Revenue's Refund Delay FAQ page: http://www.revenue.state.il.us/individuals/RefundDelay.htm

NC Begins Processing Efiles Jan 28th

The North Carolina Department of Revenue (NCDOR) will officially open the
2016 tax filing season and begin processing individual income tax returns on Jan. 28. The Internal
Revenue Service began accepting returns on Jan. 19.

EROs began filing NC returns along with federal returns Jan. 19th, but NC will not begin processing those efiles until Jan 28th.

Acknowledgements will not be seen until February 1^st, at the earliest, and anticipated refunds will follow afterwards.

Refer to this NC DOR website for updated information and full details.

IRS rejects 361, 370, 371, 372 - Hold the returns

IRS has asked that EROs hold returns rejected for the following efiles until IRS updates their business rules. 

For 1040 Returns

F1040-370-03

If Form 1040, Line 51 'RtrSavingsContributionsCrAmt' has a non-zero value and Line 1 checkbox "Single" or Line 3 checkbox "Married filing separately" or Line 5 checkbox "Qualifying widow(er) with dependent child" is checked (element 'IndividualReturnFilingStatusCd' has a value of 1, 3 or 5), then Line 37 'AdjustedGrossIncomeAmt' must not be greater than 30000 

F1040-371-03

If Form 1040, Line 51 'RtrSavingsContributionsCrAmt' has a non-zero value and Line 4 checkbox "Head of household" is checked (element 'IndividualReturnFilingStatusCd' has the value 4), then Line 37 'AdjustedGrossIncomeAmt' must not be greater than 45000 

F1040-372-03 

If Form 1040, Line 51 'RtrSavingsContributionsCrAmt' has a non-zero value and Line 2 checkbox "Married filing jointly" is checked (element 'IndividualReturnFilingStatusCd' has the value 2), then Line 37 'AdjustedGrossIncomeAmt' must not be greater than 60000

For 1040A Returns

F1040A-370-03

If Form 1040A, Line 34 'RtrSavingsContributionsCrAmt' has a non-zero value and Line 1 checkbox "Single" or Line 3 checkbox "Married filing separately" or Line 5 checkbox "Qualifying widow(er) with dependent child" is checked (element 'IndividualReturnFilingStatusCd' has a value of 1, 3 or 5), then Line 21 'AdjustedGrossIncomeAmt' must not be greater than 30000. 

F1040A-371-03

If Form 1040A, Line 34 'RtrSavingsContributionsCrAmt' has a non-zero value and Line 4 checkbox "Head of household" is checked (element 'IndividualReturnFilingStatusCd' has the value 4), then Line 21 'AdjustedGrossIncomeAmt' must not be greater than 45000. 

F1040A-372-03

If Form 1040A, Line 34 'RtrSavingsContributionsCrAmt' has a non-zero value and Line 2 checkbox "Married filing jointly" is checked (element 'IndividualReturnFilingStatusCd' has the value 2), then Line 21 'AdjustedGrossIncomeAmt' must not be greater than 60000. 

F1040-361-04 – Deals with Form 5695 (Residential Energy Credit)

Currently there is no ETA for IRS to correct these Business Rules.