EA Renewal

[oceanlovin'ea]

I did my EA renewal online on June 7th. I just got a letter from them today saying that they
received my application. "Based on our initial review, your application has been sent to our Washington, DC office for further review and consideration. That office will make a determination on your renewal in approximately 60 days and will notify you."

What does that mean? Did anyone else get a letter like that? I'm good. I haven't done anything bad. I did all my CE's.

It is just scary dealing with them.

Linda EA

[DonPriebe]

I did my EA renewal online on June 7th. I just got a letter from them today saying that they
received my application. "Based on our initial review, your application has been sent to our Washington, DC office for further review and consideration. That office will make a determination on your renewal in approximately 60 days and will notify you."

What does that mean? Did anyone else get a letter like that? I'm good. I haven't done anything bad. I did all my CE's.

It is just scary dealing with them.

Linda EA

I renewed on June 1 and have received NOTHING. They did take my money however.

[S T]

Don, Me Too! - I renewed online - completed form 8554 and paid the fee online June 1, 2011, received an email confirmation of application and payment, $ 30 drafted out of my bank.

And all I have received is a June 14, 2011 letter, stating that, IRS is NOW accepting Forms 8554 for the Renewals of EA, and another letter dated July 13, 2011, stating the same.

No wonder this program is not cost effective! Just with these two letters alone in the needless time, paperwork, etc have spent the $30 fee.

Linda, I don't think your letter receipt is anything much to worry about, sounds like the typical "Generic" letter that IRS responds to our taxpayer form, but if I receive something this next week or so in the mail, will post under this thread.

Sandy

[Gary]

Me Too

They cashed my check and I am waiting.

[taxea]

Ditto me. I'm guessing they are checking with DC to insure we are in good standing before issuing the renewal card.

[Roberts]

Triple checked: they've cashed my check yet they have failed to notify me of my situation and I'm not supposed to contact them. ahhhhh customer service.....

[KBTS]

I renewed online almost as soon as it was available and they drafted the money from my account. A couple of weeks ago, I received a phone call from the IRS asking for clarification whether I had an EIN or not. I have heard nothing since the call.

[Jiggers]

Triple checked: they've cashed my check yet they have failed to notify me of my situation and I'm not supposed to contact them. ahhhhh customer service.....

I think it has been this way forever. We won't know until we receive our new enrollment card.

I did mine on the internet. And the fee has been paid when I paid my credit card statement last month.

Isn't it strange that the IRS wants everything e-filed or applied for on-line, yet we can't get a response from them using the internet. We have to wait for the snail-mail response.

[Gary2]

Isn't it strange that the IRS wants everything e-filed or applied for on-line, yet we can't get a response from them using the internet. We have to wait for the snail-mail response.

The basic issue is this: When you submit things to the IRS via the internet, you have the basic tools to confirm that it's really going to the IRS (ignoring serious hacking).

In the other direction, there's no commonly accepted way to confirm the identify of the recipient of standard e-mail. This forces a web site that you need to log into, and provide identifying information. The only cases where I've seen the IRS do it is for "Where's my refund?" (which requires that you already know the refund amount) and for the limited "Did I get the GRC/stimulus payment". Both of these have relatively small risk concerning the release of information, let alone any identity theft issues. They're also relatively small, software-wise.

There are many states that do a good job of providing significant personal tax info online. I'm not sure how they managed to justify it, either cost or risk wise. But the IRS approach would have to be to outsource it. It might be reasonable, but I'm not sure I like that idea.

[CinSee]

My check cleared the bank June 20th and the only items I have received since then are two letters notifying me that the renewal period is open now.