IRS urges pros to verify their EFIN activity

[Abby Normal]

To ensure an EFIN is not compromised, the IRS said preparers should check their EFIN status page within their e-file application comparing their records to the returns filed to help protect their EFIN. To do this, log into the e-file application through e-services and make sure the summary of the volume and activity of the returns e-filed in the last two years matches the preparer’s own records.

I just did this but I had never done it before. All looked fine!

[Janitor Bob]

data only available for EAs...I guess us lowly PTIN preparers have to just take our chances.

[Margaret CPA in OH]

Lowly CPA's are also excluded.

[Randall]

I'm a CPA and I just checked mine.

 

[Margaret CPA in OH]

Well, please tell me exactly how.  I have not been able to do so.  Perhaps I am choosing the wrong option (story of my life, at times!).

[NECPA in NEBRASKA]

I have not been able to check mine either. I've seen on a lot of boards that they don't keep track for CPA's. I would like to know how I can check them.

 

[Randall]

3 hours ago, Margaret CPA in OH said:

Well, please tell me exactly how.  I have not been able to do so.  Perhaps I am choosing the wrong option (story of my life, at times!).

It was a little convoluted getting to it.  Login to eServices.  Left side:  Application; Services:  efile application; choose existing name;  Select EFIN status.

[Roberts]

It is convoluted.

I've done it - honestly will likely never do it again. I don't really know how many I've submitted and am not interested in looking it up. I've also put into the queue multiple returns that aren't being included in the numbers.

 

[Margaret CPA in OH]

Thanks, Randall.  Now I am having access issues with e-services.  I keep getting an Internal Server Error and have an incident number.  When the help desk calls it seems I'm in the bathroom, getting the mail or otherwise unable to get to the phone.  When I call back, I can only get first tier, they tell me they can't help and I have to wait for the next call.  Grrrrrr....I used to really like e-services.

[FDNY]

Take it from someone who has had his EFIN compromised.   If you can check to see if your number of efiles coincides with eservices it will assure you no one is using your number.  I was notified by eservices that I should change my EFIN as there was some suspicious activity, but they wouldn't tell me how they knew or what was happening.  I was given a new EFIN that day and it took about a week to get the letter to change it with ATX and ProSeries.

I was originally notified by a message left on my answering machine with a phone number to call.  I checked my file and it was the eservices number, I was born at night, just not last night.

Crazy world out there.  Stay safe.

[Margaret CPA in OH]

Finally I got to talk with the help desk person who actually knew something.  All is well now but it wasn't intuitive at all to find the efile record.  In fact, I don't find much of any IRS or related websites intuitive.  I mean, why does one first go to Application for this list? 

[NECPA in NEBRASKA]

I did check mine out and it looked fine. The question about reporting your URL was new to me. Is that for anyone that uses a portal? I don't yet, but am considering it. My AFSB website has the capability of having a portal, but I haven't had the time to research the security or decide if another one is better.

[BLACK BART]

On ‎2‎/‎18‎/‎2016 at 0:13 PM, Janitor Bob said:

data only available for EAs...I guess us lowly PTIN preparers have to just take our chances.

Don't take it too hard; just a few years ago I was as lowly a PTIN as anybody you'll ever meet and only took the EA exam 'cause I was afraid RTRP would throw me out on the street.  My squeaking through (studied months, said a prayer, gave a bum outside the test site ten bucks) brought to mind Groucho Marx's observation: "I wouldn't want to belong to any club that would be willing to have me for a member."  

Anyway, maybe give it a shot -- it's a great morale booster.  However, as a practical matter, most people think you're either a CPA or you're not. Folks around here figure "EA" is some part of a declension of the verb "eat" (as in "I eat"/ "I et"/ "I done et") -- yeah, I'm kidding, but you get the gist of it.  I wish IRS would call us "Special" Agent or something besides "Enrolled" which sounds like we're still in school.   

As to the EFIN issue, I subscribe to the "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" school of thought (witness the problems other posters mention).  IRS is liable to assign you two numbers and you maybe can't file with either one.