Now's the Perfect Time to Get an Online Signature PIN

As you’re probably aware, your second quarter 941 Forms were due yesterday (July 31st). That means there’s no time like the present to apply for an Online Signature PIN for your third quarter filings coming up in a few months!

3rd Quarter Filing
As a quarterly return, Form 941 is required to be filed four times a year. Each time you file, you’re reporting important tax information to the IRS regarding your business’s finances for the previous fiscal quarter. This information includes the federal, social security, and Medicare taxes withheld from employee paychecks (as required by the IRS) as well as your tax liabilities as an employer for the quarter.

For the third quarter of 2017, which lasts from July 2017 to September 2017, Form 941 must be submitted to the IRS with any tax payments by October 31, 2017.

Getting An Online Signature PIN
Applying for an Online Signature PIN is not a difficult process, but it can be a time consuming one. You see, when you e-file certain IRS returns, like Form 941, you’re required to e-sign the form to verify you are (or the authorized person is) actually filing the form. You can do this by completing an e-signing Form 8453-EMP or by using a 10-digit PIN assigned to you by the IRS for filing purposes.

Getting a verified, activated Online Signature PIN can take up to 40 days, even when applying online. That’s why it’s best to go ahead and apply now, that way you have plenty of time to get set up with your PIN before the third quarter filing deadline. And with ExpressIRSForms/TaxBandits, it’s never been easier to apply:

1. Log into your account. (You can log in here using your ExpressIRSForms info or go straight to TaxBandits.com).
2. Select the Start New Form button.
3. Check the 94x Online Signature PIN Request option in the 94x Forms section.
4. Enter your employer details manually or by importing an employer from your Address Book.
5. Enter the identifying information (name, title, SSN, email, and phone number) of the Signing Authority to be associated with your Online Signature PIN.
6. Enter your credit card details.
    NOTE: Your credit card will NOT be charged and the information associated with it will NOT be saved in our system. This is simply to verify your identity, which we’re required by the IRS to do before submitting your Online Signature PIN request.
7. Click the orange button to Send PIN Request.

Simple as that!

What Happens Next
After you submit your application for an Online Signature PIN through TaxBandits, the IRS handles the rest. They’ll receive and review your application and, if approved, send you a letter with your 10-digit Online Signature PIN. You’ll need to confirm that the information associated with the PIN in their letter matches your application. Included in the IRS’s letter will be a letter for you to sign, authorizing that everything is correct, and send back to the IRS within 10 days of receiving your PIN. Once the IRS gets this back, they’ll activate your PIN for you to use for future e-filings!

Oh, and did we mention all this is absolutely FREE?!

If you have any questions about applying for your Online Signature PIN, don’t hesitate to reach out to us! We’re available by phone (704-684-4751) and live chat Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. EST. We also offer 24/7 email assistance at support@TaxBandits.com!

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Form 941 and Schedule B

Last week, we called your attention to the fact that your second quarter 941 Forms are due at the end of this month! Now, we’re back to remind you that the deadline’s even closer and to provide you with some information on an attachment you may be required to submit with your 941 Form.

What is Schedule B?
Schedule B is an addendum used with the quarterly tax return for businesses, Form 941, to report additional information to the IRS. Depending on how you deposit the employer taxes associated with Form 941 determines whether or not you’re required to submit Schedule B.

Schedule B is filed by employers who deposit their employment taxes reported on Form 941 on a semi-weekly basis. It’s also required by employers who report more than $50,000 in employment taxes during the previous period and by those who have accumulated $100,000 or more in tax liability in the current or past calendar year.

Where Can I File Form 941 & Schedule B?
When you e-file Form 941 with ExpressIRSForms (also known as TaxBandits), our system will help you complete and include Schedule B if, based on the information you enter, you’re required to submit it with your return at no additional cost!

You’ll also be able to e-sign your return (using your Online Signature PIN or with Form 8453-EMP) and pay any taxes before securely e-filing your Form 941 and Schedule B with the IRS.

It’s no secret that e-filing is the easier, faster, and safer way to complete your IRS returns, including Form 941. Create your account with us or log in today to see just how much better e-filing really is!



And if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to our all-star, US-based customer support team! We’re available by phone and live chat Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. EST and by email 24/7.

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How to E-Sign Form 941 Without a Signature PIN

It’s no secret the easiest way to complete Form 941 is by e-filing. E-filing is faster and more secure and, with IRS-authorized e-filers like ExpressIRSForms, more accurate than paper filing. The only catch to e-filing Form 941 is that you must e-sign the form, and the IRS is very particular about how they make sure your e-signature is actually yours. So let’s dive right in, shall we?

Form 941 E-Signing & E-filing
When you e-file Form 941, there are two ways to e-sign your report: with an Online Signature PIN designated to you by the IRS or by completing Form 8453-EMP. If you’re going to be filing a lot of 941 Forms - say 4 a year for the rest of your business’s life - it’s probably good to go ahead and get an Online Signature PIN so you’re don’t always have to fill out two forms whenever you file your quarterly taxes.

But getting an Online Signature PIN can be quite the process, so let’s talk about what to do if you don’t have that PIN.

Form 8453-EMP
If you don’t have an Online Signature PIN given to you by the IRS, you’ll need to complete and submit Form 8453-EMP, Employment Tax Declaration for an IRS e-file Return, along with your 941 Form. When you e-file with ExpressIRSForms, to do this, all you need to do is select the Form 8453-EMP option when it comes time to e-sign your 941 Form. You’ll be able to securely e-sign the form with our e-signature portal and submit your return right away!

Getting an Online Signature PIN
You can easily get an Online Signature PIN through ExpressIRSForms too! Just keep in mind that the process takes up to 45 days to complete. All you’ll do is select the option for applying for an Online Signature PIN, fill out a little information, and submit your request. The IRS will take it from there, evaluating your application before sending your PIN to you in the mail. Once you receive your PIN, you’ll have 10 days to sign the form sent to you by the IRS and return it to them.

The IRS won’t send you a confirmation that they received your letter back, but your PIN should activate within 20-30 days of receiving it and mailing back the IRS form. This means if you’ve just gotten your PIN, it likely won’t be activated for you to e-sign any IRS forms. If it’s been at least 45 days since you first applied for your PIN but you’re still having activation issues, you’ll need to contact the IRS directly.


And if you have any questions about completing your Form 941 and e-signing it with ExpressIRSForms, don’t hesitate to reach out to us! We’re available by phone, live chat, and email to answer any and all of your e-filing questions!

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All About Form 1099-S

Form 1099-S, the newest 1099 Form available with ExpressIRSForms, is a very important form indeed! Form 1099-S, also known as Real Estate Transactions, is used to report the sale or exchange of real estate administered by a real estate agent during the tax year being reported. Unlike some other 1099 Forms that total everything throughout the year, a separate 1099-S Form must be filed for each real estate transaction that took place.

Who Files Form 1099-S
Basically, if you oversee a sale or exchange of real estate, you’re required to file Form 1099-S to report that transaction. For IRS regulation purposes, reports must be made for transactions that consist in whole - or in part - of selling any present or future ownership interest in any of the following:

• Improved or unimproved land, including air space
• Residential, commercial, or industrial buildings/structures deemed to be inherently permanent
• Condominium units, including land, appurtenant fixtures, and all other common elements
• Cooperative housing corporation stock
• Non-contingent interest in standing timber

When to File Form 1099-S
A copy of Form 1099-S must be mailed to the transferor(s) of the property/properties by the real estate agent by February 15 of the year following the year in which the transaction occurred. If paper filing Form 1099-S with the IRS, the return must be mailed by February 28 or 29; and when e-filing Form 1099-S, your return must be transmitted by March 31.

Where to File Form 1099-S
Of course, you can always easily e-file Form 1099-S with us! We’ll talk more on that later. But if you absolutely have your heart set on paper filing, first make sure you have fewer than 250 forms to file; if you have more than 250, the IRS requires you to e-file. Then, if you’re able to paper file, all you need to do is mail your return to

Department of the Treasury

Internal Revenue Service Center

Austin, TX 73301

if your principal business or legal residence is in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, or West Virginia.

If your principal business is in any other state, including Washington, D.C., mail your 1099-S return to

Department of the Treasury

Internal Revenue Service Center

Kansas City, MO 64999

How to E-file Form 1099-S
Now for the fun part! If you want to go the easier, more secure route, you can e-file your Form 1099-S return with ExpressIRSForms. Well, once you log in, you’ll be filing with ExpressTaxFilings, but that’s just a technical distinction for the IRS; we’re all still the same e-file provider you know and trust.

Anyway, all you have to do to e-file Form 1099-S with us is create or log into your account and select the Start New Form button. Choose Form 1099-S from the 1099 options listed on the next screen. Next, you’ll just add your filer, transferor, and transaction details and review your form(s)! Before you transmit, you can select whether you’d like us to mail your transferor copies for you, then just pay the one-time transmittal fee and securely send your forms off to the IRS. Easy as pie!



You can find more detailed instructions for completing a Form 1099-S return from the IRS here. And if you have any questions about e-filing your 1099-S return, don’t hesitate to reach out to us! We’re available by phone, live chat, and email to help with any e-filing needs you have!

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Your First Quarter Taxes Are Due Soon!

Ahoy there, ExpressIRSForms readers!

You may have noticed we’ve been a little scarce lately…that’s because we’ve consolidated some things around the office and are now officially back full-time as ExpressTaxFilings! Those of you who’ve been with us for a while may remember when we made the switch from ExpressTaxFilings to ExpressIRSForms about a year and a half ago. Well, in order to streamline our e-filing services (and so as not to get e-filers confused with the actual IRS’s e-filing system), we’ve reworked ExpressTaxFilings to be better than ever!

Don’t worry: you can still visit us here and even log into your account from ExpressIRSForms.com, but for official purposes, everything will operate under the name ExpressTaxFilings from now on. Of course, we’ll be popping back over here every now and again to bring you the e-filing information you need to stay compliant with the IRS! Liiike…

Form 941 - to report your 2017 first quarter taxes - is due soon!

And it’s in just under a week, to be exact: the deadline is May 1, 2017.

If this isn’t your first 941 rodeo, you’re probably aware of the rule that the 941 deadline for each quarter is the last day of the month after the quarter ends. Technically, this means Form 941 for the first quarter should be due April 30, but since that day falls on a Sunday this year, the IRS gives you until Monday (May 1) to get everything filed.

Even with all our changes, you can still e-file Form 941 with your ExpressIRSForms (turned ExpressTaxFilings) account! And everything’s just a fast and simple as ever. Of course, if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to give us a call; we’re still here at (704) 684-4751 and via live chat and email at support@ExpressTaxFilings.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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