Turn around time when faxing 2848 or 8821

[schirallicpa]

I've faxed plenty of these, but usually I have some built in time that I'm not trying to get an answer for someone in a matter of hours.  So I'm wondering if any one kinda knows how fast these actually get processed that I would have any luck accessing accounts within a day or 2.  

You'd think we could submit these electronically by now.

 

[Abby Normal]

Ha. We used to able to submit electronically but so few tax pros used it, the IRS killed it. (I hate you all.)

I fax to CAF and check after a week. It takes 1-2 weeks most times.

[ILLMAS]

I usually fax it directly to the agent on the spot, I get what I need and if later on I need to call again, they usually forward the POA on your behalf.

[schirallicpa]

I which the fax machine would just disappear and the IRS would be forced to do everything via internet.  

We get 8821's and then look online to see where client stands with IRS before going any further in creating the engagement letter.  It would be really neat if they didn't take 2 weeks.

[samingeorgia]

What about SS-4's? I have had two back-to-back "sorry we can't process your request" messages and now I'm waiting. And waiting....

[Abby Normal]

SS-4s: https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/apply-for-an-employer-identification-number-ein-online

[samingeorgia]

Abby, that's what I used -- to no avail.

 

[ILLMAS]

8 minutes ago, samingeorgia said:

What about SS-4's? I have had two back-to-back "sorry we can't process your request" messages and now I'm waiting. And waiting....

Last couple of SS-4 I have prepared, I have received the same message.  I usually fax it over and wait until my client receives the acceptance letter.

[schirallicpa]

I think they should just turn over the IRS to us and we'll handle it for them.  

[SaraEA]

I usually wait a week after faxing a 2848, and it's always in the system.  I guess you could try in a couple of days and see.  And Abby, I remember the uproar from the tax professional community after IRS stopped accepting the form electronically.  I think they just said no one used it.  The real reason was that they were afraid some of us might be unscrupulous and enter the client data without the signed form.  (Did anyone on this board ever get audited and asked to produce the signed doc?)  Or worse, maybe there was evidence that the bad guys were using the system but IRS didn't want to raise alarms.  Every time it comes to light that criminals are using IRS systems, e.g., recovery of IP PINs, FAFSA uploads, getting a PIN without last year's AGI, the media report it as a "hack" when it is really caused by the crooks having enough info on the taxpayer to impersonate.  Like all the identifying info Equifax has on each of us such as where we lived or worked or what ice cream flavor we prefer--we still don't know whether or not that non-credit-related info was taken in the data breach.