efile of quarterly returns

[ILLMAS]

For the past 7+ years I have had my payroll clients mail out the quarterly returns to the appropriate department, in 2015 I want to give ATX payroll efile a try, can someone who uses it let me how it works?  Do you fill-in the form and just efile it every quarter?  Or I use QB to prepare payroll, which one would be better to efile cleint's forms?

 

Thanks

[Margaret CPA in OH]

I have been using the 941, 1099 and W-2 efile for years and really like it.  I can't speak to a QB comparison, though.  You fill in the form in the program using the client supplied payroll information.  The SS and MC amounts due are calculated automatically.  If monthly payers, you have to input the amount paid of liability monthly and also the amount and date paid for each month.  Same with semiweekly.

 

To efile, each business must have a 10 digit pin assigned by IRS for which you can apply online through the program.  For one client it never worked despite repeated attempts but that was an anomaly.  This pin should take about 10 days to be received and goes to the client.  Then you can efile 940, 941 and 944.  If you are the Reporting Agent and have that pin, each business doesn't need a separate one.

 

It's great to have confirmation of taxes remitted though EFTPS, and make pdf's of the forms to save electronically.  I like it.

 

To efile W-2's, you need to register with Business Services Online (Social Security Administration) to get a pin or ID which must be included with each submission.

[Lynn EA USTCP in Louisiana]

Sometime in 2014 they changed the PIN rules.  Now instead of waiting for the 10-digit PIN number to arrive in the mail, it is a 5-digit self selected PIN.  I use the client's zip code for that. 

[ILLMAS]

So there is no need to register then, just use the self selected PIN?

[Lee B]

With ATX, you can also efile 94x with a signed 8879EMP on file, similar process to efiling a 1040.

[Margaret CPA in OH]

Thanks Lynn, for reminding me of the simplification.  For over a year I have been filing only my own and forgot that the change wasn't due to that but a general change.  I also have the 8879-EMP in my own return to authorize myself.  It really is time to fade into the sunset... Sorry ILLMAS, so good to have others chiming in. 

 

To efile W-2's, though, is it still necessary to register with BSO and use that pin?  Guess I will find out when I try to efile my own for this year.

[Lee B]

If you use ATX for W -2 efiling, ATX just creates the W 2 files in the required format.

 

Then it's up to you to run the files thru ACCUWAGE and then transmit to SSA,

 

which requires you to register with the BSO. Registering is very easy to do.

[Lion EA]

If your info is already in QB, then you should try filing from QB.  Info is already there when you call up the form.  Click.  Done.