IRS E Services web site

[JimTaxes]

The site is so clumsy and poorly written.. I finally can get in .. tried to get a transcript..

some worthless error message come up.. CAF check failure

I did it four times, making sure my CAF was entered correctly.

even choosing the transcript/info requested is written it looks like to be confusing

has anyone navigated this site and can talk me through maybe. thank you.

 

 

[Abby Normal]

CAF check failure just means your POA has not yet been processed by the IRS.

[JimTaxes]

if a client comes in. asks me if i can get a transcript. i thought that meant can just log in to eservices right there

is that correct or do i have to submit a 2848 first

[TAXMAN]

Unless you prepared the return in question they want a 2848 or 8821 on file b4 hand. This has been my experience.

[JimTaxes]

i prepared the return.. i was just testing how it works. looks like it was written in the says of cobalt and fortran

I am surprised i was not asked to input punch cards

[Abby Normal]

A 3rd party designee will not get you into eservices transcripts. You must have a 2848 or 8821 (I've never used this form).

[Max W]

1 hour ago, JimTaxes said:

if a client comes in. asks me if i can get a transcript. i thought that meant can just log in to eservices right there

is that correct or do i have to submit a 2848 first

You can call PPS (or collections) while the client is in the office and the IRS will ask them certain questions to verify who they are. You do not need to submit any form.

If the client is not there, you can submit the 2848 (or 8821) after you phone the IRS.  They will provide the fax number and they will wait while it is faxed.  You can also ask them to forward the form to the CAF unit.  It takes 2 weeks , or so, for the form to be entered in the system.  Once in the system, you can use Eservices TDS (Transmission Delivery System.).

[Catherine]

3 hours ago, Max W said:

It takes 2 weeks , or so, for the form to be entered in the system.

The IRS will tell you "three days" but I have never seen it take less than two weeks.

[JimTaxes]

what's the point.. i thought this was instant access

[Jack from Ohio]

42 minutes ago, JimTaxes said:

what's the point.. i thought this was instant access

You must have been out of the loop about these things for 2 to 3 years....

[JimTaxes]

only reason i ever logged into the dumb site is verify my EFIN.. the whole site is a train wreck

[Abby Normal]

On 1/19/2018 at 6:50 PM, JimTaxes said:

only reason i ever logged into the dumb site is verify my EFIN.. the whole site is a train wreck

We used to be able to enter POAs instantly on eservices, but the IRS took that away. They said it was because not enough practitioners used it. I used it. A lot.

They also took away EAR account resolution which was like a dream to me. Resolve IRS notices in days rather than months. Again because not enough practitioners took advantage of it. I was totally bummed when they killed EAR.

[JimTaxes]

thank you for your comments.. I try and be on top of things.. i never understood that site.. i had to log in last year to verify my EFIN.

the very layout of site is so clumsy and poorly written I can see why i don't use it.

[Roberts]

JMHO, if you are the third party designee you should be able to get instant access to transcripts for THAT year's work.

And 3rd party designee should last 2 years, not one.

[Abby Normal]

1 hour ago, JimTaxes said:

the very layout of site is so clumsy and poorly written I can see why i don't use it.

Actually, it's improved a lot over the years... but it still basically sucks compared to modern websites.