EFIN application and fingerprinting

[Rapid Robert]

In several other tax forums recently I've seen discussions of IRS using a new vendor to complete fingerprinting requirements to become an authorized efile provider (EFIN holder).

For the record, EAs have always been eligible to obtain EFINs without being fingerprinted, that's how I got mine 14 years ago when I was still an employee at H&R. However, I do recall that ProMetric (the SEE administrator) did require use of an electronic fingerprint pad for admission to the test facility, not sure what they did with the biometric record.

Also worth noting, that has nothing to do with obtaining a PTIN (no fingerprint required), or those who already have a valid EFIN.

[Bucky]

It's been a while but I think to become an EA you had to submit fingerprints?

[TaxmannEA]

When I became enrolled in the early 80's we didn't need to submit fingerprints. That requirement came in later, and those of us who were already EA's were grandfathered in.

[Lion]

I don't remember getting fingerprinted. 2005 EA.

[TAXNJ]

Think it was 2011 - see attached articles:


https://www.forbes.com/sites/robertw...h=2d56d69c7b23

And

https://www.journalofaccountancy.com.../20114608.html

And

https://www.journalofaccountancy.com...rprinting.html

[Rapid Robert]

"Think it was 2011 - see attached articles:"

That was the since-invalidated RTRP program, I don't think it ever really got off the ground.

As I stated in the very first post -- when the new SEE testing regime began (2007-2008), the only fingerprint was on an electronic thumbpad at the ProMetric test facility. Did ProMetric save and share that biometric data with IRS? That would be nice to know. But other than that, there has been no fingerprinting of EAs in order to obtain an EFIN (which is not the same thing as achieving the EA license).

[TAXNJ]

"Think it was 2011 - see attached articles:"

That was the since-invalidated RTRP program, I don't think it ever really got off the ground.

As I stated in the very first post -- when the new SEE testing regime began (2007-2008), the only fingerprint was on an electronic thumbpad at the ProMetric test facility. Did ProMetric save and share that biometric data with IRS? That would be nice to know. But other than that, there has been no fingerprinting of EAs in order to obtain an EFIN (which is not the same thing as achieving the EA license).

Correct.

For EA - no

EA
See applying for enrollment (section)

https://www.irs.gov/tax-professional...ons#enrollment


“NEW” Authorized e- file provider (fingerprint) - other than NEW grandfathered from requirement.

https://www.irs.gov/e-file-providers...-file-provider

[kathyc2]

As a CPA in 1998ish I needed to be fingerprinted. I think I went to local police station to get them.

[Uncle Sam]

I guess when CPA exams went to Prometric - the system was changed. In taking it in 1988 - you were fingerprinted during taking the exam with an ID card.