| Tax Topic #805 |
2008 Tax Year |
Topic 805 - Electronic Filing of Information Returns
The Filing Information Returns Electronically (FIRE) System is designed
exclusively for the electronic filing of the following information returns:
Forms 1042–S, 1098, 1099, 5498, 8027, and W-2G. FIRE is accessible at http://fire.irs.gov. Benefits of electronically
filing information returns include: cost-effectiveness, easier than paper
or magnetic media filing; and a later due date for filing most information
returns. Please note that the Internal Revenue Service, Enterprise Computing
Center at Martinsburg (IRS/ECC-MTB) no longer accepts tape cartridges for
the filing of information returns; electronic filing is the ONLY acceptable
method to file information returns at IRS/ECC-MTB. The electronic filing of
information returns is not associated with the Form 1040 electronic filing
program.
If you are sending files larger than 10,000 records electronically, data
compression is encouraged. WinZip or PKZIP are the only acceptable compression
packages. The FIRE System is operational 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Please
note that the FIRE System will be down from 2 p.m. EST December 22, 2008,
through January 4, 2009 to allow IRS/ECC-MTB to update its system to reflect
current year changes.
After you file your returns via the FIRE System, the result of the electronic
transmission will be e-mailed to you if you provide an accurate e-mail address
on the "Verify Your Filing Information" screen. The file status e-mail will
include the IRS assigned filename, date received, count of payees, and file
status for Forms 1042–S, 1098, 1099, 5498, 8027, and W-2G. If the e-mail
indicates that your file is bad, you must log into the FIRE System and go
to the "Check File Status" option to review the results of your file and timely
resubmit the file as a replacement file. If the file is good, it is automatically
released for mainline processing 10 calendar days from receipt.
For further information, refer to Publications 1187, 1220, 1239 and 3609. You can also contact the Electronic Product
and Services Support, Information Reporting Branch, Customer Service Section,
Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, by calling
toll-free at 866 455-7438, sending an e-mail addressed to [email protected] or
by using Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at 304 267-3367.
IRS forms and publications related to electronic filing may be ordered
by calling toll-free at 800 829-3676 or downloaded from the IRS
website at www.irs.gov.
Page Last Reviewed or Updated: December 22, 2008
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