any fast way to get a POA to process?

[schirallicpa]

I feel like the IRS is slower than ever getting POA's processed.  I fax and mail, but to no avail.  (and I rhyme!)  I wish we could efile them or at least have some way of knowing that they are received and when processed.

[Margaret CPA in OH]

The fastest way I know is to have it in hand and call the agent or number listed on whatever notice with the issue.  The agent will have a fax number s/he can access to talk with you immediately.  It then follows regular processing but at least you could begin a conversation.

Typically when I need it and use this method I promise myself to get a POA for every client some number of years but never get around to it.

[Catherine]

12 minutes ago, schirallicpa said:

is slower than ever getting POA's processed

Yes indeed.  I have learned that sending them in by fax is highly dependent on WHEN.  Sending them after hours or over the weekends is useless; the machines run out of paper, memory, or both.  Likewise, before 10 or 11AM on Monday or post-holiday - they haven't been re-loaded with paper yet.  11AM or later, and before 4PM, on weekdays that are not holidays.  And just hope your fax re-dials often enough to get through the busy signals.  Sigh.

[schirallicpa]

Can't they have fax in the internet like the rest of us...........IRS BOO..........  And then I forgot to check the box for use of intermediate service provider.  BOOO.  Monday.  I'm going home.

[mwrightea]

Recently, I had the same problem.  I finally had my POA put up on the CAF after  faxing Practitioner's  Priority twice for a client  and requesting that they forward POA to the designated unit. :(

[Max W]

4 hours ago, Catherine said:

Yes indeed.  I have learned that sending them in by fax is highly dependent on WHEN.  Sending them after hours or over the weekends is useless; the machines run out of paper, memory, or both.  Likewise, before 10 or 11AM on Monday or post-holiday - they haven't been re-loaded with paper yet.  11AM or later, and before 4PM, on weekdays that are not holidays.  And just hope your fax re-dials often enough to get through the busy signals.  Sigh.

I don't think the IRS uses paper for most faxes anymore.  They use Efax and that goes right into a computer as an email. When I'm talking to PPL , they sometimes ask me what my area code is, because that is what you see when a transmission has arrived.    There are times when a fax doesn't go through.  When this happens, they can provide an alternate number.  That one is probably a paper machine they keep for a backup.  

I always ask to have the 2848 forwarded to the CAF unit and they only have to press a button to do that.  Most of the time they do it without asking, but I just want to make sure.

I suspect that the delays in  posting is a  shortage of manpower.  There are times the  POA gets posted in 5 days and other time 2 weeks.

[Roberts]

Off topic but when you do the checkbox as the signed preparer and authorization to speak to the IRS about that particular return - that time period should last 3 years instead of 1.

[mwrightea]

16 minutes ago, Roberts said:

Off topic but when you do the checkbox as the signed preparer and authorization to speak to the IRS about that particular return - that time period should last 3 years instead of 1.

I have found that without a POA, the signed preparer & authorization to speak worthless at the IRS.

[Catherine]

2 hours ago, mwrightea said:

the signed preparer & authorization to speak worthless at the IRS.

Almost worthless.  It will allow you to find out if the return is in the system and being processed; not much else.