How to E-file Form W-2 with ExpressIRSForms

That W-2 Form deadline is just a week away so if you haven’t already filed, it’s definitely the time to start looking into doing so!

Luckily, you’ve landed upon ExpressIRSForms, one of the best places for fashionably late filers. We’re an IRS-authorized e-file provider, and our program’s built with tons of features to help you get your W-2 filing done easily and quickly - sometimes in as little as just a few minutes!

So how does it work? Keep reading, and we’ll tell ya!

First, if you don’t have an ExpressIRSForms account, you’ll need to create one. Just go to www.ExpressIRSForms.com and click the “Register” button in the upper right hand corner. Fill out your basic information on this page:

And click “Create Account.” You can also use the Facebook or Google registration options at the bottom of the page.

Once you’re logged in, click the big orange “Start New Form” button on your Dashboard. Then you’ll see this window appear:

 

Go ahead and click the “W-2” button to continue to the next screen. From here, you’ll enter your employer details, including the name, EIN, address, and contact info. Once you’ve filled out this data, click “Next” for another pop-up that’ll ask you how you’d like to enter your employee information:

If you only have a few employees to file for, you can choose to enter their information individually. Or, if you have tons of employees and want to enter all their data at once, you can select the Multi-Data Upload option to bulk upload your info.

Once you’ve entered in your employees’ basic and financial information that’s needed for the W-2 Forms, you’ll be taken to a summary screen where you can view each of your W-2s to confirm they’re ready for filing. From this screen, you can also add more forms for this employer or even add another employer to file W-2 Forms for before you complete your filing.

After you’ve confirmed everything is accurate, click the “Continue” button to go to the next step, which is the “Choose Services” page. When you e-file with ExpressIRSForms, your forms are automatically e-filed with the federal agency they’re required to go to - in this case, the Social Security Administration. By clicking the “Choose Plan” icons on this page, you’ll be able to decide if you’d like to include state filing and postal mailing with your order as well:

Just an FYI - postal mailing means we’ll print and mail your recipient copies for you the very next business day after you order!

Once your order looks complete, click “Continue” to move along in the payment process. Review your order details on the next screen and click “Continue” again. Before you can e-file, you’ll need to enter your credit card details to pay our one-time transmittal fee to send your files along to the appropriate agencies.

Enter your credit card info, click “Continue,” then click the green “Transmit” button on the next page and your done! Your forms are sent and your stress levels should be no more worse for the wear!

If you have any questions during your filing process, you can always reach out to our customer support team. We’re here to help anytime! Give us a call at (704) 684-4751 or send us a live chat during our office hours, Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. EST. If you miss us during these hours, you can always send us an email to support@ExpressIRSForms and we’ll reply within a few hours!

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Upload Multiple Tax Forms with ExpressIRSForms!

Ready or not, the 2016 tax filing season is nearly upon us!

Here at ExpressIRSForms, we want to do everything we can to make sure your e-filing is as simple and smooth as possible. That’s why we’ve built up our program with a ton of features that ensure your filing is done faster and easier than ever before.

And one of those awesome features is one of our most classic: the bulk upload.

Now, we’ve had the option to bulk upload for as long as ExpressIRSForms has been around and then some; it was one of our cutting edge features when we first launched in late 2012 as ExpressTaxFilings. With bulk upload, you can upload all of your information for whichever form you’re filing - 1099, W-2, ACA Forms, whatever! - all at once using our Excel spreadsheet or one of your own! Then, once your information is input into your account, you just review that all the names and numbers went in the correct boxes and e-file.

Seems simple enough because it is! And this year, we’ve even updated our bulk upload to include Xero® and QuickBooks® integration! So now, if you use either Xero® or QuickBooks® to handle your 1099 information, you can easily integrate your data to e-file your forms even more quickly.

To learn more about bulk upload and our other quick filing features, check out our website! You can also contact our stellar customer support team with any e-filing or ExpressIRSForms questions you may have. We’re available by phone (704-684-4751) and live chat Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. EST and we offer 24/7 assistance through support@ExpressIRSForms.

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Time's Running Out to File Your 2016 W-2 Forms!

Quick - have you heard?!

The Social Security Administration (SSA) has changed the deadline for all filings for Form W-2 - paper filing, e-filing, and even employee copies - to January 31 starting with the 2016 tax year.

That means those paper forms you thought you had until February 28th, 2017 to send or the e-filing you intended to put off until March 31, 2017, for this year's set of W-2s are actually due by January 31, 2017.

The employee copies of your W-2 Forms were already due to be out by January 31, 2017, anyway, but now you need to make sure your W-2s are submitted to the SSA in some form by that date. Which means you don’t have much time left to get your W-2 Forms ready to go!

Of course, ExpressIRSForms will be here the moment the SSA opens up e-filing for the 2016 tax year to help get your forms filed and sent out on time! As an IRS-authorized e-file provider, we’ve got the edge to help securely e-file your forms as early as possible and the features to do it in no time at all.

And did we mention we do postal mailing? That’s right: before you e-file, just select the option to add in postal mailing. We’ll get an alert here at our headquarters in Rock Hill, SC and begin printing the employee copies of your W-2 Forms to securely mail them by the next business day.

Why, with ExpressIRSForms, you could have your W-2 Forms submitted to the SSA and sent to your employees in a matter of minutes - and well before the January 31 deadline too!

Head on over to ExpressIRSForms now to sign up for an account and learn more about e-filing with us! And if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to give us a call (704-684-4751) or send us a live chat; we’re available Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. EST. And we also provide 24/7 customer assistance through email at support@ExpressIRSForms.com!

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Penalties Increase When You File W-2 Forms Late

You know how sometimes you’re late and that’s the worst that could happen? Like in a college course with a lenient professor or when you’re the boss and are a few minutes late to a meeting. Unfortunately - and not surprisingly - “being late” isn’t considered a punishment in and of itself with the Social Security Administration (SSA).

Instead, if you file your W-2 forms late, they’ll have you count up even more money this year to send them to give you a chance to think about what you’ve done. In previous years, the absolute most the IRS could fine you for late filing was a measly $3 million ($1 million if you’re a small business). Now, that number can get upwards of $3,193,000, or $1,064,000.

Keep in mind that you could be subject to this penalty if you:

• Fail to file your W-2s on time,
• Fail to include all the required W-2 information in your return,
• Include incorrect information in your W-2 return,
• File on paper when you’re required to e-file,
• Report an incorrect TIN (so like an SSN or EIN),
• Fail to report a TIN at all, or
• Fail to file paper W-2 Forms that are machine readable.

There is a small silver lining: if you have reasonable cause for why you were late or incorrect in your filing, the IRS will work with you to get your W-2s filed correctly rather than penalize you. So best start preparing a better excuse than “the dog ate my information returns” because these are the fees you’re looking at for late or incorrect W-2 filing:

• $50 per W-2 Form if you file correctly within 30 days of your due date
• Maximum penalty: $532,000
• Maximum penalty for small businesses: $186,000
• $100 per W-2 Form if you file correctly more than 30 days after your due date but before August 1
• Maximum penalty: $1,596,500
• Maximum penalty for small businesses: $532,000
• $260 per W-2 Form if you file after August 1 or don’t file your returns or corrections at all
• Maximum penalty: $3,193,000
• Maximum penalty for small businesses: $1,064,000

Now you see why it’s such a big deal to have your W-2 Forms filed on time, especially since that the deadline to complete and submit your W-2 return with the SSA has changed. So it’s a good thing you’ve found your way to ExpressIRSForms! Our program makes e-filing your W-2 Forms as fast and simple as possible. Sign up today to get started and set up your account in preparation for the upcoming tax season!

And if you have any questions about the upcoming tax season or e-filing your W-2 Forms, just give us a call! We’re available by phone (704-684-4751) and live chat Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. EST. And we also offer 24/7 assistance by email at support@ExpressIRSForms.com!

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The SSA Deadline to File W-2 Forms Has Changed

Heads up, business filers!

You know how when you fill out your W-2 Forms for your employees every year you have to send a copy to them by January 31 and e-file a copy with the Social Security Administration - or SSA - by March 31 (February 28/29 if paper filing)?

Well the SSA is changing all of that this year. As if the IRS’s Affordable Care Act deadlines moving back up wasn’t enough of a tax season stressor, the SSA is now requiring all filers (paper and electronic alike) to submit their W-2s to the SSA by January 31, the same day they’re due for your employees.

Naturally, if January 31 happens to fall on a weekend or a national holiday, the deadline will be extended to the next business day. Unfortunately, in 2017 - the first year this new deadline will take effect - January 31 falls on a plain, old Tuesday, so make sure you’re completely prepared to have your W-2 Forms filed on time. If you’re late, you stand to incur some pretty hefty fines.

ExpressIRSForms can help guarantee your W-2 Forms are in the hands (or on the computers) of those who need them by the time they’re required to have them. With features like an online address book as well as cloud-based programming and bulk uploading capabilities, it’s never been easier to complete and e-file your W-2s.

And before you e-file, click to engage our Postal Mailing feature; we’ll get an alert here at our offices in Rock Hill, South Carolina and mail out the employee copies of your W-2 Forms by the next business day!

While it’s still too early to e-file, you can create an account with ExpressIRSForms today. And if you have any questions about getting started or the e-filing process, we’re here to help! Just give us a call at (704) 684-4751 or send us a live chat during our office hours, Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET. You can also send us an email anytime to support@ExpressIRSForms.com.

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Back to School Tax Credits

Well, folks, Labor Day’s just a stone’s throw away. You know what that means: no more white clothing and school is definitely back in session.

In the time you’re saying goodbye to your summer and hello to college, you’re probably not thinking about your taxes. But, you know, it might not be a bad thing to touch on when you’ve got a sec; those who pay for college in 2016 may be eligible for receiving tax savings on their 2016 federal return.

Here’s a bit info from the IRS about back-to-school tax credits:

American Opportunity Tax Credit
The AOTC is an education credit worth up to $2,500 per year for eligible students. This credit is only available for the first four years of higher education and is 40% refundable. If you’re eligible for the credit, this means you can get up to $1,000 of the credit as a refund, even if you don’t owe any taxes.

Lifetime Learning Credit
Another education credit, the LLC is worth up to $2,000 per tax return. Unlike the AOTC, there isn’t a limit on the number of years you can claim the LLC for eligible students.

Qualified Expenses
When calculating your credit, you may only use qualified education expenses paid. Qualified expenses include tuition costs and other fees or related expenses eligible students must cover to enroll in and attend an eligible institution. Speaking of…

Eligible Educational Institutions
You’ll need to make sure that the school you’re attending is considered an eligible educational school before receiving an education credit. Eligible institutions are those that offer education beyond high school, so that includes most colleges and universities. Some vocational schools and other postsecondary schools may also qualify you for a credit.

Stay Tuned with ExpressIRSForms
While our services have less to do with individual tax filing and more to do with businesses who need to file information returns, like W-2s, 1099s, and ACA forms, we do try to provide as much IRS-related information as we can! So stay tuned to our blog for more IRS updates, as well as tax and e-filing tips and facts.

And if you do have any IRS e-filing questions in the meantime, we’re available to help with that as well. Just give us a call or send us a live chat or email - we’re here for you 24/7!

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The Forms of ExpressIRSForms

Boy, oh boy, has it been a big year for ExpressIRSForms! Growing from the simple, dependable e-filing base ExpressTaxFilings created with its 2012 launch, ExpressIRSForms had a booming first season, providing you with more e-filing capabilities than ever before.

The expansion into ExpressIRSForms brought with it e-filing support for twice as many IRS forms as before. To catch you up on all the forms we’ve added, here’s a bit about all the forms you can e-file at ExpressIRSForms.

Form 1099
The Form 1099 is a classic, used to report when a taxpayer has received income from sources other than a wage-paying job. That means it needs to be filled out by you (the employer) for all of the independent contractors and other non-employees you paid more than $600 to throughout the year for work related to your business.

Depending on how the payee received that moolah is which 1099 form you need to complete. Luckily, ExpressIRSForms supports four of the most commonly used 1099 forms, as well as their correction and transmittal forms:

• Form 1099-MISC, used to report payment for services performed for a business by people who aren’t employees, like subcontractors, renters, or prize recipients
• Form 1099-INT, which summarizes income of at least $10 from interest income
• Form 1099-DIV, used by banks and financial institutions to report dividends and other distributions over $10 received
• Form 1099-R, which reports distributions of retirement benefits over $10

W-2 Forms
For the people you hired as actual employees, we’ve got Form W-2 generation and e-filing. And when you e-file your W-2s with ExpressIRSForms, a digital copy of Form W-3 (the W-2 transmittal form) is automatically sent to the IRS along with your return. And while we try to make sure your return is sent off without any errors, making corrections to rejected W-2s is a breeze through ExpressIRSForms.

Affordable Care Act Forms
One of the biggest changes from ExpressTaxFilings to ExpressIRSForms was the addition of ACA Forms 1094-B, 1094-C, 1095-B, and 1095-C. Starting with the 2015 tax year (which was filed this past tax season), these forms became required to be filed by certain business owners and health insurance providers. ExpressIRSForms was one of the first IRS-authorized e-filing programs to have software capable of filing ACA forms, and we work every day to make sure we stay the best option for it.

Form W-9
Form W-9 isn’t a form you need to file with the IRS, but it is a form you need to complete to be able to complete the forms you need to file with the IRS. Typically when you hire someone, you’ll have them fill out and sign a Form W-9 to have a record of the information you’ll need to fill out their tax information returns each year, whether that’s a 1099, W-2, or ACA form. ExpressIRSForms gives you the ability to handle getting all that information and e-signature through a secure portal within your account. How simple does that sound?

Wanna Know More?
We get it, August isn’t a big time to think about your information returns. Or the upcoming tax season. That’s why we aim to make everything about your information return e-filing easier. So take a minute, check out our site, create an account, give us a call if you have a question. Then, go enjoy the rest of your summer, and come back in January when we’ll have everything ready for you to complete your 2015 return!

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ExpressIRSForms E-filing Features: Address Book

Wouldn’t it be great if your IRS e-filing software remembered not only your business’s information but your employees’ information, year to year? It sure would make it easier to e-file your 1094, 1095, 1099, and W-2 IRS information return forms.

Okay, so maybe something like that isn’t on your front burner at the moment, so to speak. But now that you’re thinking about it, wouldn’t it be nice to have?

Well, guess what? You can! With ExpressIRSForms.

With your ExpressIRSForms cloud-based account comes a categorized Address Book to help you keep track of your business(es) and employees, basically anyone you’d need to report tax information for or about.

And that part about “cloud-based” means anywhere you have access to the internet you’re able to access your account. So anytime you need to pull up contact information for one of your employees, just log into your account through our website, which is mobile-friendly for your convenience.

You can add employees to your Address Book by actually entering them into your Address Book (individually or by bulk upload), or by filing your returns. Once you create a return for a business and enter your employee forms, their contact information is saved to your Address Book. This means next year, when you need to file for the same all-star employees again, their contact information will already be filled in and all you’ll need to do is update any financial data.

Of course, the Address Book is just one of many awesome features that come with your (absolutely free) ExpressIRSForms account. Head on over to our site today to learn more or get started creating your account!


Got questions? We’re here to answer! Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET, we’re available by phone (704-684-4751) and live webchat. We also offer 24/7 email assistance at support@ExpressIRSForms.com.

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Tax Tips for Summer

Well, we’re halfway through July, and it’s safe to say the heat’s not going anywhere soon. Summer is in full swing, and the last thing on your mind is your taxes. But we’re here to suggest that you set aside an afternoon to take advantage of some of these tax tips for the off-season that could save you time, money, and headaches come next April:

If You Still Owe Taxes
You’ll know if you still owe the IRS a tax payment if they send you a bill by postal mail. If you get a call or email demanding that you owe the IRS money, do not give them any information; it’s probably a scam. If you really do owe the IRS, they’ve provided some ways to help you make your payment:

• Using IRS Direct Pay, which you can access by clicking “Payment” on the IRS website, so you don’t have to worry about mailing payments.
• The IRS also offers payments plans, installment agreements, and offers in compromise, which you can apply for online to help you make your payments.

If You’re in the Military
Did you know that if you’re in the US Armed Forces, special circumstances can apply to your taxes? You could be able to claim a lower tax if certain rules apply to your deductions or credits, and some types of pay may not even be taxable. You’re also eligible for some deadline extensions and other “tax perks” as an appreciation gesture for your service, like:

• Combat pay exclusions,
• Moving expense deductions,
• Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC),
• Reservists’ travel deductions,
• Uniform deductions,
• ROTC allowances,
• Civilian life deductions,
• and IRS tax help.

If You Get Married
Summer is definitely the time for weddings. And if you get married this summer, there are a few things to take care of before you do your taxes next year. You’ll need to make the IRS aware of any name or address changes, as well as any changes in your tax withholding, health insurance circumstances, filing status, and usual tax form.


Be sure to check back with ExpressIRSForms for more tax and e-filing tips! And if you have a business you need to handle 1099s, W-2s, ACA forms, or W-9s for, we’re your program! Check out www.ExpressIRSForms.com for more info. We’re also available by phone to take your questions, Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. EDT, at (704) 684-4751.

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Warning: Don't Lose These Tax Documents After You File

Heads up, taxpayers: today’s the last day to file your personal income taxes (unless you’re in Maine and Massachusetts, you lucky ducks have until tomorrow). So before we continue, if you think you need some more time to file, head on over to www.ExpressExtension.com really quick and e-file Form 4868 for a six-month extension.

*Jeopardy theme music*

Alright, glad to have you back. Now, onto the subject of the day here at ExpressIRSForms: tax document retention. In other words, what tax records should you keep - and how long should you keep them - after you file?

Generally, taxpayers need to keep a copy of their tax returns and supporting documents for at least three years after the filing year. The IRS recommends this three-year retention period because that’s how long they have to initiate an audit of that tax year (that’s also how long you have to amend that return). But keep in mind that they have six years to initiate an audit in cases of fraud. If you’re already playing fast and loose with the IRS, it’s unlikely you’ll keep the paperwork lying around; but if you do, that’s how long you should.

“Enrolled agents say keep all tax records for seven years just to be safe,” said Kim Lankford, of Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine in an interview with Patricia Sabatini. Even if you don’t anticipate an audit, keeping your tax documents can help you in the long run. Whether they’re helping you complete future returns, or successfully helping to contest Social Security benefits (an example Ms. Lankford sites), retained tax documents can really come in handy.

Information You Can Use on Your Next Return
Keeping previous tax records and other documents you collect throughout the year can not only help with your tax preparation time each year, but it can help save you money on your taxes. Throughout the year, make sure you hold onto documents and information relating to:

• Income from wages, dividends, interest, or business: W-2s, 1099s, K-1s, bank statements, brokerage statements, etc.
• Deductions and credits (child care expenses, dental and medical expenses, use of the home for business purposes, charitable gifts, car sales tax, alimony): receipts, invoices, mileage logs, bank/credit card statements, etc.
• Home and property: closing statements, invoices, proof of payment, insurance records, receipts for improvements
• Investments: 1099s and 2439s, brokerage statements, mutual fund statements

The Bottom Line: What to Keep for How Long
The only thing you’ll really, legally need your tax documents for is in the event of an audit. The helping-you-complete-future-returns part is just gravy. Actual tax returns, like your 1040 and its schedules, or your W-2, you should hold onto indefinitely. Everything else, follow this general timeline for document retention:

• Three years: tax return forms and schedules plus all info to support what you claimed on your return (like records related to property, investments, or business assets)
• Four years: state tax information (most states have an additional year to initiate an audit)
• Six years: W-2, 1099, etc. forms (the IRS has six years to contact you about failed reported income)
• Seven years: information regarding loss from worthless securities or bad debts

For questions on your personal tax return, we’ll try to do the best we can, but you might be better off contacting a CPA or the IRS directly (1-800-829-1040). But for e-filing your 1099s, W-2s, ACA Forms, and W-9s, we’re happy to help! Just give us a call Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. EST, at 1-704-83-2270, or send us an email at support@ExpressIRSForms.com.

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Protect Your Tax Return from Theft and Fraud

When we think about tax season damages, we’re usually thinking about our wallets. Unfortunately, as some people may have already found out the hard way, paying any taxes owed can end up being the least of your worries during tax season.

Tax-Related Identity Theft
With so many individuals sending personal information to the IRS, whether by e-filing or paper filing, the identity thieves are coming out to play. Typically, tax-related identity theft occurs when someone uses your Social Security number to file a tax return, claiming a fraudulent refund. But it’s not just a matter of protecting that SSN (although you should definitely do that); April is prime time for phishing scams and fraud, and the IRS already has a list of known schemes scammers use to compromise your identity and tax return/refund.

These scams don’t just affect you: fraudulent returns are a hassle for the IRS as well. That’s why the prevention and detection of fraud is one of their highest priorities, and why they provide victim assistance. If you think you’ve been a victim of tax-related identity theft, check out this IRS article so you can begin taking steps to re-secure your identity.

How to Protect Yourself
The main thing to remember anytime you’re reporting personal information, whether it’s to the IRS, your doctor, or even when you’re shopping online, is always to remain vigilant against illegitimate sources. Just as you wouldn’t hand over all of your personal info to a stranger on the street, you don’t want to do so online either. So here are a few tips for keeping your identity secure when you e-file this year:

• If the IRS emails you, it isn’t the IRS. The official IRS will contact you if there are any issues with your return via snail mail. If you do get a suspicious email claiming to be the IRS, forward that email (without opening it, if you can) to phishing@irs.gov.
• If the IRS asks for your credit card information or PIN by email, text message, or over the phone, it isn’t the IRS. Most of the time, the IRS doesn’t even accept credit cards for payments, only checks or Electronic Funds Withdrawals.
• Avoid opening any links or attachments in emails you receive from unfamiliar sources and be wary of ones from known sources. Basically, don’t open anything sent to you in an email unless you’re 100% sure that it’s legitimate.
• When using a public Wi-Fi hotspot, avoid logging into anything with sensitive information because others using the network could hack into your credentials or data.
• Always logout of sensitive sites and services when you’re finished, don’t just close the webpage. Additionally, while it may be convenient to have your browser remember your login credentials, this also makes it easy for hackers to enter your account.
• When handling sensitive information, don’t use the same computer your kids use. Many phishing scams are targeted at kid-oriented sites and services, so it’s much more likely the computer they’re playing on has been compromised in some way.
• Take extra security measures: it’s always better to be over-protected than to risk exposing your identity online.
• Use strong, unique passwords, and if you think you might forget them, store them in a safe place away from your computer. 
• And before you start entering any sensitive data, check for the padlock icon in front of HTTPS (instead of HTTP) in your web address bar. This indicates the site you’re using is secure and encrypted, making your information safer.
• Limit your exposure to threats with security tools like antivirus software, and, above all, be skeptical. As it’s been proven time and time again, if something seems too good to be true, it probably is.

We’re five days away from the personal income tax deadline (April 18 this year), so if you’re last minute e-filing, ensure that your identity is still safe by not rushing through your security checks. If you’d like more time to make sure you can get everything filed safely, you can e-file a personal extension Form 4868 (securely!) through our sister site, www.ExpressExtension.com.

Questions for ExpressIRSForms? You can give us a call Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., at (704) 839-2270, or send us an email anytime at support@ExpressIRSForms.com.

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Tomorrow's Another Tax Deadline...Are You Ready?

Tomorrow’s a big day for the IRS and, quite possibly, a big day for you! That’s because March 31, 2016, is the deadline for not one, not two, but three types of 2015 IRS tax forms: 1099s, W-2s, and ACA Forms.

Now, personal income tax filers of these forms - if you happen to have stumbled upon this blog - tomorrow’s not your deadline; that’s not until April 18 (April 19 in Maine and Massachusetts). Tomorrow is the deadline for businesses and other payers to complete their copies of the 1099s and W-2s and e-file them with the IRS. It’s also the deadline to have all ACA Forms 1095-B and 1095-C postmarked and sent to the appropriate recipients.

If you are a business owner and this is all news to you, well sit back and pay attention, because we’ve got a few things to go over:

What’s Due and By When?

• Form 1099: If you have to file 1099 forms (of any kind) for your payees, these must be e-filed by 11:59 p.m. (your time) on March 31, 2016.
• Form W-2: If you need to file W-2 forms for your employees, these must be e-filed by 11:59 p.m. (your time), March 31, 2016.
• ACA Forms: If you have to report health insurance coverage offered to your employees or recipients, the recipient copies must be postmarked and mailed out on March 31, 2016.

Are There Any Penalties for Filing Late?
Is the pope Catholic?

But, in some seriousness, it’s the IRS, so of course there are penalties for filing late. For 1099 and W-2 forms, depending on when you get your corrected forms filed determines your total penalty:

• $50 per form if you file correctly within 30 days of the due date, with a maximum penalty of $532,000 per year ($186,000 for small businesses)
• $100 per form if you file correctly after 30 days but before August 1, with a maximum penalty of $1,596,500 per year ($532,000 for small businesses)
• $260 per form if you file after August 1 or not at all, with a maximum penalty of $3,193,000 per year ($1,064,000 for small businesses)

You may also incur a penalty by filing your forms on paper, even if your forms are in by tomorrow. Since the paper filing deadline was February 29, any paper forms filed now are considered late, so you must e-file by March 31 to have your forms in on time. If you’ve never e-filed before, there’s no need to alert the IRS you’re doing so now.

As for the ACA forms, this year only, the IRS is forgiving any late filing penalties as long as you can prove you made every effort to file on time. Next year, you won’t be so lucky. Also, next year, this deadline will be moved back up to its original date, January 31, and your ACA forms must be e-filed by March 31 (just like the 1099s and W-2s).

What Can I Do to Make Sure I’m Not Late?
If you’re not sure you’ll be able to get your 1099s and W-2s in on time, you can e-file Form 8809 with ExpressIRSForms. Form 8809 is an IRS extension form used for 1099s, W-2s, and various other information returns. If you e-file this, you’ll get an automatic 30 day extension to e-file your forms. And if you end up not using it, you won’t be penalized for having filed one.

As for your ACA forms, just make sure to have them postmarked by tomorrow. If you don’t think you’ll be able to do that, you can have ExpressIRSForms do it! Just make sure you get in your postal mailing order by 5:00 p.m. EDT tomorrow so we can guarantee it’s postmarked on the 31st. Although the IRS won’t know these forms are late unless one of your recipients reports not having gotten theirs, it’s important to get these out sooner rather than later since your recipients need them to complete their tax returns.

What If I Have More Questions?
That’s what our friendly and helpful support team is here for! We’re here until 6:00 p.m. EDT today to answer any phone calls (704-839-2270) and chats coming in, then we’ll come back tomorrow at 9:00 a.m. and stay as late as we need to help you get your filing complete. You can also utilize our 24/7 support email by sending in your question to support@expressirsforms.com.

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ExpressIRSForms E-filing Features: Postal Mailing

At ExpressIRSForms, we’re all about the features - the features that make e-filing for users like you easier than ever. Last week, we talked about our Bulk Upload feature, and this week we’ll take you through our Postal Mailing feature, as well as talk a bit about the checkout process with ExpressIRSForms.

What is Postal Mailing?

So you might be wondering what we mean when we say “the postal mailing feature.” You came to an e-filing site, why are we talking about physically mailing your forms? Well, it’s simple: if you select our postal mailing package, not only will we e-file your forms federally and with your state (if applicable), but we’ll also mail the employee/payee copies of your forms to your recipients for you.

For an additional postage fee, you could quite literally be done with your filing as soon as you hit Transmit from your ExpressIRSForms account.

How Do I Get This Awesome Feature?
In order to show you how to utilize our postal mailing feature, we’ll need to back up a couple of steps to your first summary screen:

Before you select the e-filing package you’d like, you’ll see this screen which shows a summary of your order so far. From here, you can view, edit, and delete any forms you’ve completed, broken down by payer. You can also add another form for this payer by selecting the “Add form for this Payer” button, circled above on the far right. Pro tip: to get more bang for your buck, add any other payers and their forms before continuing to check out.

When you’ve got everything in order, click Continue and you’ll see this screen:

In this option, you’ll see that Federal E-file Only is the package that has been selected. As a result, even though I’ve entered state information on my W-2s, they’ll only be federally filed with the IRS and SSA, not with the state (of South Carolina, in this case).

To include postal mailing, you’ll need to select the Package tab, like in this example:

As you can see, my state icons have turned green, as have the plan options on the left side of the screen to reflect my choosing to file federally and with the state, and to have postal mail sent to my recipients. Keep in mind that even if you select this option, your state icons may not turn green; they may become any one of these stoplight colors:

So make sure you pay attention to what the signs say before proceeding. When you do click Continue, you’ll see a brief explanation of the filing requirements for the state for which you’re filing (if applicable):

Some users will be delighted to see they don’t need to do anything else while others will still be required to file additional forms with their state. Once you’ve got your ducks in a row, click Continue to be taken here:

Here we have a summary of the completed e-filing order and details on the package I chose. From here on out, it’s just a matter of paying the piper and transmitting your forms. Once you transmit your forms, your recipient copies will be sent out to your employees/payees by the next business day from our offices here in South Carolina.

If you have any questions about e-filing or the ExpressIRSForms e-filing packages, give us a call at 704-839-2270. We’re available Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. EST. We also offer 24/7 email support at support@ExpressIRSForms.com.

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Miss the Paper Filing Deadline?

As many of our regular readers should know (we’ve only been posting about it all month), the paper filing deadline form 1099 and W-2 forms was this past Monday, February 29. For e-filers, it was just another Monday. But for scrambling, procrastinating paper filers, it was a Monday for the books.

Unfortunately, when it comes to leaving tasks until the last minute, other things tend to get in the way. And a lot of the time, only the very best of task-jugglers can pull off multiple last minute to-dos right before their deadlines. So what to do if you missed the paper filing deadline this past Monday?

First of all, don’t fret. If you’re not opposed to e-filing, just think of this as missing the practice test (that doesn’t count towards your grade) before the real exam. Sure, it might have helped to have gotten it done, but you’ve still got another chance to provide the information you have to the IRS.

If you decide to e-file instead of sending in your paper forms late, you don’t have to notify the IRS. All you have to do is e-file your forms by March 31, 2016. See? There're an extra 29 days to file without having to do anything at all! And you were going to start fretting.

BUT - and this is an MC Hammer sized “but” - if you’re staunchly against e-filing, you’ll need to complete and send in your paper forms AS SOON AS POSSIBLE because the IRS penalties have already begun.

You see, the IRS fines you for late forms based on when the forms are eventually, correctly, filed. If you get your forms filed within the first 30 days after your deadline (so, by March 29), you’ll only owe $50 per form. If you miss the 30-day deadline but file before August, your penalty goes up to $100 per form. And if you don’t file until after August 1 (or not at all), the IRS can charge you up to $260 per form. The maximum amount you can be fined by the IRS for late filing is $3,193,000 per year ($1,064,000 for small businesses).

Other than e-filing or paper filing as soon as possible, there’s not much else you can do to fix the fact that you’re filing late. There is, however, a small loophole in this whole late-filing-penalty-incurring process. Straight from the horse’s mouth (a.k.a. the IRS website):

“The penalty will not apply to any failure that you can show was due to reasonable cause and not to willful neglect...you must be able to show that your failure was due to an event beyond your control...You also must be able to show that you acted in a responsible manner and took steps to avoid the failure.”

In other words, get that excuse ready - and try to be a little more creative than just blaming the dog - because it could be the difference between paying $50 to $260 per form and paying $0 per form.

If you need help getting started e-filing, or have any questions about the tax filing deadlines, feel free to get in touch with ExpressIRSForms’s customer support team in Rock Hill, South Carolina. We offer support by phone, chat, and email, in English or Spanish, and we’re always happy to help!

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EIRSF Presents: The Adventures of Ace in Love

Good morning all! It’s the day after Valentine’s Day in ExpressIRSForms, and love is still in the air. At least, it still is for everyone’s favorite e-filing superhero, Ace.

Little has been said about Ace’s personal life since he came to ExpressIRSForms, but a little birdie just told us that last night Ace asked his very special someone that very special question: “Do you want to order pizza or Chinese?” And then later over a delicious dinner of lo mein and wantons, Ace asked that other special question:

Delighted to hear an ecstatic Yes!, Ace scooped up his new fiancée in his arms and promised they’d go away for the week together, just as soon as he made sure the citizens of ExpressIRSForms would be okay without him for so long.

Which brings us back to this morning: Ace is hurrying around the city, realizing just how much he’s needed in ExpressIRSForms and beginning to wonder about the hasty promise he made.

Ace knows he’ll superhero better once he’s had time to get away and relax, but how can he just leave the citizens behind? Surely there must be some compromise, and surely he can get “superhero” to catch on as a verb! And so with renewed determination, Ace was able to come up with a plan.

*Transition music*

“You've gotta help me,” Ace continues. “See, I proposed last night and-”

“You proposed?!” Doc exclaims. “Well, I presume the answer was yes?”

“You do know as much as me!” Ace replied. “So, anyway we want to go away together for a week or so to celebrate, but the people of ExpressIRSForms need me! It’s becoming clearer and clearer that I can’t just leave them for a week.”

“Say no more, Ace. I’ll take over for you while you’re gone, and I’ll alert your sidekicks to be on high alert for any Confusion-induced mayhem.”

“Thanks, Doc. I really owe ya one.”

“I’m sure I’ll think of something you can do for me when you get back. Hmm…the bullet-proof bathrobe is almost ready for human testing…Or, I suppose, super-human testing,” Doc says with a wink.

“Bullet-proof bathrobe, huh?”

“What, you expect me to wear an uncomfortable vest all the time? ’Sides, vests can’t protect your arms and legs!”

Ace chuckles. “Well, I’d better get going. Alex is waiting in the car outside.”

Walking outside, Ace smiles as he sees his new fiancée (he just loves that word!) waiting in the driver’s seat. “Ready?” he asks.

“Ready!” Alex replies. “But are you sure you’re okay leaving the citizens with Doc?”

If you need any help e-filing your 1099s, W-2s, ACA Forms, or W-9s while Ace is away, give one of Ace’s sidekicks a call at ExpressIRSForms. We’re available from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST at (704) 839-2270 and at support@expressirsforms.com 24/7.

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One Month Down, Two to Go!

Welcome, ExpressIRSFormssIRSForms users! This is the last January blog we have time for now that the first month of the 2015 filing season is drawing to a close. So what does that mean for the typical 1099, W-2, or ACA form filer?

For the Rest of January
Before January is completely behind us, make sure you’ve sent out your recipient forms for your 1099s and W-2s. The deadline to have these forms to your recipients is next Monday, February 1 (since January 31 is a Sunday). It’s a common misconception that your recipient forms only have to be postmarked by the deadline. But according to the IRS’s rules and regulations, you can be fined any time after the January 31 deadline (or, in this case, February 1) if a payee reports that they haven’t received their forms.

That’s why we’re recommending sending out your recipient forms by tomorrow or Friday (if you’re mailing them) to ensure they receive them by Monday.

Coming Up In February
During the month of February, there’s not much to do unless you’re either a) paper filing or b) getting a jump start on other forms due in March.

If you’re paper filing, you’ll need to have your 1099s and W-2s prepared and sent to the IRS by February 29, 2016. Remember if you have more than 250 of either form, however, that the IRS requires you e-file.

Looking Ahead to March
March 31, 2016 is the e-filing deadline for 2015 tax year 1099s and W-2s. March 31, 2016 is also the recipient deadline for 2015 ACA forms 1095-B and 1095-C. Normally, this deadline will be the same as the 1099 and W-2 recipient deadline, so don’t forget to send those out all at the same time next year.

Another deadline to keep in mind in March that you might not have been aware of is the March 15, 2016 Business Extension Form deadline. Form 7004 can be filed through our sister program, ExpressExtension, by businesses for a 5-6 month extension of time to file their tax returns. This is not an extension of time to pay any taxes owed, but it can get you a little more time to get everything in order to file.

If you need any help over the next two months, we’re here for you! Well, we’re here for you all year long, but we’re especially here for you during tax season. Just give us a call (704-839-2270) or send us a live chat Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST. Or you can send us an email anytime at support@expressirsforms.com!

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Welcome ETF Users!

We’ve spoken a lot lately on the ExpressTaxFilings blog about the ETF to EIRSF crossover happening this filing season. But, how rude of us: we have yet to welcome all of the loyal ExpressTaxFilings users to our new ExpressIRSForms site. Welcome, welcome!

Whether you were prepared for the switch or were surprised by logging into your ETF account to find yourself on another site, we want to assure you that ExpressIRSForms is every bit as committed to helping you quickly and easily e-file your information returns (we are the same team, after all).

With ExpressIRSForms, you still have access to Forms 1099-MISC, INT, DIV, & R, W-2 Forms, and the correction and extension forms available through ExpressTaxFilings. But that’s not all: we’ve also added e-filing for the Affordable Care Act forms 1095-B and 1095-C and (FREE) e-signing for Form W-9.

You also still have access to all of the great features that made ETF so user friendly, like the bulk upload, postal mail, and address book features. And remember part up there about us being the same team? With ExpressIRSForms, we offer the same friendly, expert customer service to help you with your e-filing.

We wish you all the best this year, and we’re glad you’re hanging with us as we go through these changes. As the 2015 tax filing season begins, if you find yourself needing help with any of your information returns, give us a call! We’re here Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. by phone at 704-839-2270 and live chat through our website. You can also get help outside of these hours by sending an email to support@expressirsforms.com.

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The Affordable Care Act Forms Are Here!

We’ve talked and talked and talked about them, and they’re finally here! You can now e-file your Affordable Care Act forms through ExpressIRSForms.com!

And even bigger news (for us anyway): ExpressIRSForms is the first e-filing program to be authorized by the IRS for these forms. Although the deadlines for the ACA forms have been extended, you probably won’t want to procrastinate with these things. So why not go ahead and get started with a company you can trust?

To start filing your Affordable Care Act Forms 1095-B or 1095-C, just go to www.ExpressIRSForms.com. Then, click “Sign In” or “Register” to either log into or create your free account. Once you’re at your Dashboard, click “Start New Form,” then the ACA icon. Our program will take you through whichever form you need to file -- first determining that for you if you need! -- before allowing you to transmit your forms directly to the IRS.

And in addition to the ACA forms, we offer e-filing for Form 1099 and Form W-2, their corrections, and Extension Form 8868, as well as FREE e-signing for Form W-9! So what are you waiting for? Get started filing now!

And if you have any questions along the way, our friendly, US-based customer service is here to help! We’re available by phone and live chat Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST at 1-704-839-2270; and we offer 24/7 email support through support@expressirsforms.com.

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E-Sign Form W-9 With ExpressIRSForms

You may have noticed that ExpressIRSForms now offers e-signing for Form W-9, Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification. Now you may be wondering exactly what Form W-9 is, whether or not you need to file it, or even why we said “e-sign” instead of “e-file.” Well if you’re wondering any of those things, this blog is for you.

Purpose of Form W-9
From W-9 is used by individuals or entities who are required to file an information return (like a W-2 or 1099) with the IRS; the W-9 is used to obtain the correct taxpayer identification number (TIN) needed for the specific return they’re filing. The TIN needed is usually a social security number (SSN), individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN), or employer identification number (EIN). By using Form W-9 to obtain a correct TIN, payers can report on an information return the amount paid to each payee (employee, contractor, recipient, etc.) as accurately and smoothly as possible.

Who Needs to File?
Technically, Form W-9 is never filed with the IRS. Instead of providing information to the IRS, it was created to provide information to those filing with the IRS. Anyone who needs to file a W-2, 1099, or other information return but doesn’t have the TIN for the payee for whom the return is filed needs to submit a Form W-9 to that payee. The payee then fills out Form W-9, signs it, and returns it to the payer. The payer (usually an employer) then keeps the W-9 on file to use for filings of future information returns.

E-Signing Form W-9
Form W-9 used to come in a giant stack of paperwork that had to be filled out at the beginning of each job you started, contracted work you began, or investment you made. It still might these days, but there is an electronic alternative many payers are choosing to utilize. One such electronic alternative is ExpressIRSForms. Rather than passing out or mailing paper W-9 forms, you can use ExpressIRSForms to securely email a W-9 to your recipient. Once they’ve filled it out and e-signed it, you’ll be notified by email, and the form will be updated in your ExpressIRSForms account. You can then save a PDF of this form to your computer or print a hard copy for your records.

Form W-9 has joined the growing lineup of forms offered by ExpressIRSForms, which includes 1099s, W-2s, Affordable Care Act Forms, and correction and extension forms. Take a look at ExpressIRSForms.com today to see how we can help you in the upcoming filing season! And if you need any help along the way, we’re available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST by phone at (704) 839-2270 or by live chat through our website. We also provide 24/7 customer service through email at support@expressirsforms.com.

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Year-End Tax Strategies

December is busy enough without having to worry about the tax deadlines looming just around the New Year corner, but you might want to consider taking the time to look over what you’ll be filing before January. There are a host of tax-related decisions that need to be made by December 31st or else they won’t be applicable to your 2015 tax returns when it comes time to file.

Take a look at some of these year-end tax strategies to see how to make the most out of your 2015 return:

Consider Deferring Income
If you’re self-employed and have had a particularly good year, it might make sense to defer some of that income until 2016 to reduce 2015’s tax burden. Just wait until late December to issue invoices instead of early in the month, ensuring you won’t receive payment (or have to pay taxes on that income) until next year. Similarly, if you’re getting a big year-end bonus, you may be able to ask your boss to delay that until after January so that you don’t take the tax hit on your income until 2016.

Pay Your Taxes Now
Believe it or not, you get a deduction on your taxes just for paying your taxes. This includes property taxes as well as estimated state taxes that can be deducted on a federal tax return. If you prepay your estimated taxes before April, you can deduct that tax payment in some situations.

Donate to Charity
Any charitable giving must be done by the end of the year to be claimed on your tax returns. This means you may need to plan ahead on any donations you’re making to ensure they’re done by New Year’s Day. But procrastinators rejoice: you can claim any donations made by credit card as late as 11:59 p.m. on December 31st. As long as your receipt shows processing before midnight, you can claim the donation in tax year 2015.

Sell Your Bad Investments
Referred to as “loss harvesting,” selling a bad investment to offset profits from a good investment can make a lot of sense. The IRS calculates capital gains on a net basis year to year, so if you have one investment that made $10,000, you can avoid paying taxes on the profit if you have $10,000 in losses elsewhere to zero it out. Considering capital gains taxes can be as high as 39.6% for top earners, selling underperformers can be a powerful way to keep more of your profits from good investments.

Take Your RMDs
If you’re 70.5 years or older, the government requires you to start drawing down your tax-sheltered retirement plans like an IRA via required minimum distributions (RMDs) each year. If you don’t withdraw this minimum amount, you may take a hefty penalty of as much as 50% on the sum you should have withdrawn. Make sure you consult your tax professional or consult the IRS website for more details on your specific RMD figure to prevent leaving money on the table. RMDs vary based on age and how much you have saved.

Bonus Tip
Is your company planning a holiday party this year? Head on over to the ExpressExtension blog to find out how you can write off the money you spend on a holiday party as an entertainment expense!

For more tax tips or any help in your e-filing process, feel free to contact the ExpressIRSForms support team, located in Rock Hill, South Carolina. We’re available by phone (704-839-2270) and live chat through our website Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST. We also offer 24/7 assistance through email at support@expressirsforms.com.

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