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Maybe you know, maybe not - "site:irs.gov" in your search and google will search only the IRS. One of the few good things left about google.

I know I won't remember it and took a screenshot of how to do it. Now I will have to remember to look for this helpful advice on my tablet. I stored something about converting an organizer to fillable fields using some pdf function or through Word, but I couldn't find that either and finally gave up. That's what happens when I need something once a year and think I'll remember how.

I use FileShare that's included in my CCH SiteBuilder web site along with CCH's eSign that handles signatures as well as delivering a digital return copy. I had NO one come into my home office this year. Everyone, except for young kids with no digital footprint yet, was able to sign via eSign (now that NY finally accepts electronic signatures). For the kids who "failed" eSign, I uploaded signature pages to FileShare. Talk to your Drake rep about what they might offer &/or what they've found that works best with Drake. NAEA offers Verifyle free as a member benefit. Maybe NATP does also. Most of my clients still want their physical "tax folders," so I mail them (actually, Hubby mails them for me) when I have time. Some of my elderly clients don't have access to a scanner, so they mail me their tax documents/information, or UPS/FedEx/etc. The best thing I did when I created my home office was install a large mail slot in my front door for local clients to drop off. Contactless; I let their envelopes set for three days in my entryway.

I did not remember that, and the real question will be can I remember this when I actually want to be able to use it.

Oh, I know. Searching directly on IRS brings up pages upon pages. I just use Google and look for the ones that go to the IRS site b/c Google narrows the search more.

Thank you, Jim. I did not know that, and it will be very helpful. Most of the time I want broader searches, but if one does want to search within IRS, this would be better than using the search feature on the IRS site itself.

I think you have to do that with Verifyle, also. And, I have clients without printers, and not just the elderly. The young do everything on their smart phones and don't print anything!

Is there any way to make a change in the name of an entity that has an FEIN? We have a church that no longer uses the full name that was listed on their SS-4. The organization is exactly the same, they just are no longer associated with the denomination named in the last two words of the name. I told them that I thought that they would probably need to get a new number if they insist, but I know that someone in this group may know of a way.

The search feature on irs.gov doesn't like ANYONE. For some (like me), it's actively hostile; for others it's simply unhelpful.

Check the EINs. Sometimes one division of the same company has a different EIN from another. I had a client who switched divisions and got two W2s, same EIN, with excess SS withholding. The IRS said my client could only get the excess back from the employer, but the employer refused to change anything. We eventually resolved it by providing the refusal letter to IRS, but it took a long time.

I the same issue a couple years ago, TP business changed banks and payroll provider, payroll company A number issued a W-2, payroll company B issued whatever company A had prepared plus additional payroll. Guess which W-2 was correct?

Several years ago I had a business client with 2 'divisions'. The employees who worked in both divisions received 2 W2's (none of which ever came close to the FICA limit when combined). Employees received 2 W2's but when I filed them with SSA and the state I had to combine them into one W2 for filing purposes.

EINs are never reused or cancelled, but the IRS can and does "close" EINs. Taxpayer can request this. https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/canceling-an-ein-closing-your-account

Margaret and I were posting at the same time!

Verifyle is a bit clunky like that, too. One has to list each person as an account and it has to be (I found out later) the name as on the return. William, not Bill, for example. There is an editing tool whereby a couple can e-sign the second name but only 2 couples could figure it out. I could not but forwarded the instructions, such as they were, received from Verifyle. Some, actually many, folks are so much more technologically astute than I am! At least one couple printed out the 8879, signed, scanned, then uploaded to the portal but not everyone has a printer and/or scanner. It's always something!

An EIN is like an accountant, they never lose their balance.

Check the client's pay stubs and ask about his company's history, too. We had one a couple years ago where the company changed payroll services mid-year. They were *supposed* to get one W2 for the full year from the new provider (and they did get that W2), but they *also* got a W2 from the old provider for half the year. We had to wait for the IRS letter but had the explanation and all supporting documentation ready to go. Prior to that, we had one client whose company did some restructuring, and issued two W2s for the year, under the old and the new structures, with different EINs. Plenty come in with multiples who work in, and have tax withheld for, multiple states. Those we treat as continuation pages (because essentially that's what they are).

Thanks Judy. For some reason, the search feature on IRS.gov doesn't like me.

Just a side note. Had this happened before. Created an excess FICA wh. Service a first refused the credit excess until I spoke to them about it. Otherwise I enter them as 2 W-2's.