E*Fileing... Do you use Form 8879 or 8453?

[geekgirldany]

For bigger offices I guess it can be a hassle keeping the 8453. But since I have 150 customers it doesn't really stack up for me.

I hate going to the post office also. That is why I put it in the mailbox just before the mailman comes

[ecb34691]

Hate 8453's 'cause IRS can never find them. I had to send one 6 times a couple of years ago. The reason I well remember it was because it had a 15 page POA as an attachment.

[geekgirldany]

That's true I had to send one 8453 three times. It is just hard to get out of the habit of using them I guess. I read about the 8879 in the tax book. Looks like it is alot easier not having to mail them in. I'm trying my best to go paperless Been looking at getting a newer scanner.

[Brad Imsdahl]

I never did e-file during the years the 8453 was the only option. If something had to be mailed to IRS anyway, why not just mail the whole return?

I do the 8879, or it is a paper return. Nothing in-between for me.

[Black Bart]

Obsessive-computersive

...do the 8879, or it is a paper return. Nothing in-between...

Oh, alright. I'll stop going to the post office. Danged zealots anyway.

[BP.]

why not?

I never did e-file during the years the 8453 was the only option. If something had to be mailed to IRS anyway, why not just mail the whole return?

I do the 8879, or it is a paper return. Nothing in-between for me.

Because, if a refund is due, it'll arrive faster, and you can tell the client when to expect it. Plus you get all the other benefits of e-file, like an ack, and a heads up if any problems, like SSN used already, etc.

[Brad Imsdahl]

Because, if a refund is due, it'll arrive faster, and you can tell the client when to expect it. Plus you get all the other benefits of e-file, like an ack, and a heads up if any problems, like SSN used already, etc.

There are no benefits to ME to do e-file. E-file is more work, it is more procedures, it takes me longer to process the return for the client.

The only reason I do e-file is it is mandated by the state of Minnesota.

[BOB W]

I would.....

... agree with you Brad but many of us are One-Person operations so we can't delegate the packaging work to anyone else. And after a while, the routine of efiling becomes a very simple task.

For a one person operation e-filing takes less time than doing the printing, separating of W-2s, stapling, signing, folding and setting up envelopes, plus whatever else to get it to the client for mailing.

When a client leaves my office, they are totally done and I mail them their copy of the return.

[Brad Imsdahl]

My tax practice is a one person operation and I still think e-filing takes longer. Yes I save time not having to staple W-2's and assembly of returns to be filed, but I still have to assemble their copy and my copy. I have not yet gone paperless in that area. Plus, e-filing requires transmitting the return, and then printing out the acknowledgement, etc. That is one extra step you don't have to do with paper returns.

[oceanlovin'ea]

Matter of habit

I think it is just a matter of getting used to doing something. When I get to the end of the return, I say that I will electronically file the return for them, then ask if they want the refund directly deposited in a bank account which would mean their refund would be in the bank on XXXXX date or do you want the check mailed to you which would be mailed out 1 week later.

Entering the bank information only takes a minute and every year it is carried forward.

Only have to print 2 copies, 1 for me and 1 for them.

Usually around 11 am and at end of day, I transmit. That just means clicking a few keys and it is gone. The next time you transmit, your acknowledgements come back. If there is a problem, you know then.

Put 8879 in file and you are done with them.

I save on paper and I think time in the long run because you don't have to deal with letters later if there is a problem.

I'm one person and I wouldn't do it any other way.

Linda F

[LawrenceGR]

8879

It took me awhile to get used to it but I like now. Where I'm at we I still have to assemble and staple city returns, but it goes with the territory. I used to offer my clients the option of paper of E-file but the State of Mich has made it manditory.

[abby]

8879 and an arsty/smartsy correction

Thomas Wolfe - said, You can't go home again

Bart, thanks for the kind words in the other thread - I'm still around, but what with trying to make sure my new employer is glad he hired me, just haven't had time to post or even read every thread. Glad you pointed out this thread.

It's not the post office that makes me prefer the 8879 - working for someone else means that the trip to the post office is someone else's problem!

The only thing that made me prefer the 8453 was that I didn't have to mess with all the agonizing as the client picked a PIN. Once I realized I could assign the PIN - the whole process became Easy Peasey Lemon Squeazy, and I've never looked back - although I went home again in November. Wisconsin.

[geekgirldany]

Yeah that is kinda what was holding me back was telling them to select a pin. Well now I know.

[Brad Imsdahl]

8879 is the only way to go. And, although I normally would agree with Brad, I gotta disagree with the thought that e-filing takes more time and there are no benefits to you. You have the benefit of knowing that the SSN's are correct, you have the benefit of knowing that the IRS actually received the information, you have the benefit of saving a ton (well maybe exaggerating in the weight, but it is a lot) of paper, etc, etc.

Saving paper may be a benefit to me. However, in all my years of doing paper returns, not once did I ever have a problem with incorrect SSN's, or IRS not receiving the return.

I do agree, however, the taxpayer is better served with e-file. Client's like it when I mail their acknowledgment to them telling them when they can expect their refund to be mailed or directly deposited into their account.

[veritas]

Now if you all

added an elctronic filing cabinet it would be Easier Smeezier Banana Pleaser!