Overview
Use this screen to enter electronic filing PIN information for electronically filed 1040 returns and extensions. This screen allows the use of the IRS electronic signature initiative. You can use a Personal Identification Number (PIN) as your Electronic Return Originator (ERO) signature to "sign" all electronically filed returns and extensions. Your clients can use 5-digit Taxpayer PINs as their signatures. UltraTax CS also offers the option of designating that the PIN will be used, allowing you to print the PIN forms and filing instructions prior to completing all required PIN data entry (see the
Print electronic filing PIN signature forms
field).
The IRS offers 2 PIN programs: the Self-Select PIN and the Practitioner PIN. The Self-Select PIN requires entry of "shared secrets" used for verification of the identity of the taxpayer: the prior-year adjusted gross income, prior-year PIN, and/or date of birth. The Practitioner PIN puts the burden of responsibility for verifying the identity of the taxpayer(s) on the electronic return originator. Therefore, "shared secrets" aren't required with submission of the PIN information. You can elect to use the Practitioner PIN for all clients. Select
Setup
,
Office Configuration
, the
E-Filing
tab, then
ERO
. Then, mark the
Practitioner PIN Program filer
checkbox.
All clients must use the Personal Identification Number (PIN) to file returns electronically.
In order to complete the PIN screen, you need the following data.
Prior-year adjusted gross income from the originally reported return (not amended returns) for the taxpayer and spouse, if applicable.
The IRS accepts the prior-year PIN with the prior-year adjusted gross income. The IRS won't reject self-select PIN signatures when the prior-year adjusted gross income doesn't match the IRS Master File if the prior-year PIN does match the IRS Master File.
Dates of birth for the taxpayer and spouse, if applicable.
The prior-year adjusted gross income, prior-year PIN, and dates of birth aren't necessary if using the Practitioner PIN.
Five-digit PINs for the taxpayer and spouse, if applicable.
11-digit PIN for the ERO. This PIN consists of your 6-digit Electronic Filing Identification Number (EFIN) and your 5-digit self-selected PIN. UltraTax CS automatically enters the EFIN in your PIN. You only need to complete the
ERO PIN
field in this screen.
The IRS will reject any return that contains missing or incorrect PIN information.
If any of the qualifying conditions for the PIN aren't met, UltraTax CS produces a program diagnostic stating "Does not qualify for PIN for the following reasons" and subsequently lists the disqualifying conditions. UltraTax CS then issues a business rule on the E-File Error Report when creating the electronic file.
You can print the Form 8879, IRS e-file Signature Authorization, prior to entering the taxpayer and, if applicable, spouse PIN. This is useful should you want to mail either of these forms to your client for entry of the PIN and the taxpayer / spouse signature prior to entering the PIN. To print this form, mark the
Print electronic filing PIN signature forms
field in the Other Personal Identification Number (PIN) Options section of this screen. You may also force the Form 8879 to print. Select
Setup
,
1040 Individual
, then
Tax Return
in the Collation group box. Select the
Client
tab, then
PIN Forms
from the list. Select
Always if data
in the Print Conditions group box, then
OK
when done. The Form 8879 will now print with the Clients copy of the return any time there's data entered in the PIN screen.
Depending on the form and whether you're electing to use the electronic funds withdrawal (direct debit) option, you only need to complete certain fields in the PIN screen. Use the following table to determine which fields you need to complete.
Diagnostics generate when you haven't completed all of the required fields for the PINs. Also be aware that the electronically filed Form 4868, Application for Automatic Extension of Time To File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return, doesn't require any PIN data entry unless it's being submitted with an Electronic Funds Withdrawal.
Fields to complete | 1040 w/o electronic funds withdrawal (direct debit) | 1040 with electronic funds withdrawal (direct debit) | 4868 with electronic funds withdrawal (direct debit) | 2350** |
Signature date | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
PIN authorization indicator | If Applicable | If Applicable | If Applicable | If Applicable |
Taxpayer PIN (if not deceased) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Spouse PIN (if not deceased) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Prior year AGI | Yes* | Yes* | Yes* | Yes |
Prior year PIN | Yes* | Yes* | Yes* | Yes |
Date of birth | Yes* | Yes* | Yes* | Yes |
* Prior year AGI, Prior year PIN, and Date of birth are not needed for 1040 e-filing for Practitioner PIN Program filers.
To indicate participation in the Practitioner PIN Program, select Setup , Office Configuration , E-Filing , ERO , and mark the Practitioner PIN Program filer checkbox.
** When not using Electronic Funds Withdrawal (direct debit) with Form 2350, preparers who are attorneys, CPAs, or enrolled agents may sign Form 2350 without having a power of attorney. To sign Form 2350 in lieu of a taxpayer PIN signature, enter the explanation in the Explanation of preparer signing 2350 other than taxpayer field in the PIN screen. This explanation will be included in the electronic file replacing the taxpayer/spouse PIN and should only be accompanied by the ERO PIN and extension signature date fields.
|
The IRS will generally accept an electronically filed return with a Self-Select PIN even though there's not an exact match on the date of birth (DOB). The DOB field on all electronically filed returns using the self-selected PIN will be verified by the IRS. If the DOB doesn't match, but all other PIN requirements are met, the return won't be rejected by the IRS. An indicator in the Acknowledgement File will identify if the Primary, Spouse, or both taxpayers have invalid dates of birth.
The acknowledgement record, available in
Utilities
,
Electronic Filing Status
,
Show Detail
after an electronic return has been transmitted and acknowledged using CS Connect, contains the following on accepted or rejected returns when the date of birth doesn't match the IRS master file.
Primary DOB mismatch
Spouse DOB mismatch
Both DOBs mismatched
If the date of birth is incorrect, you should advise your client to contact the Social Security Administration (SSA) to have their records verified and corrected as necessary.
IRS e-file Signature Authorization form
When using the PIN screen, the Form 8879, IRS e-file Signature Authorization generates. The following are the IRS-required steps for practitioners using the IRS e-file Signature Authorization form.
ERO (Electronic Return Originator) completes the tax return.
Taxpayer (and spouse, if applicable) verifies return information. This can be done by viewing the information in screen (Revenue Procedure 2000-31, Section 5.01).
ERO completes the Signature date field.
ERO enters 5-digit PIN in the
ERO PIN
field.
Taxpayer (and spouse, if applicable) enters 5-digit PIN in the
Taxpayer PIN (Spouse PIN)
field(s).
ERO prints out the IRS e-file Signature Authorization form and Tax Return Signature / Consent to Disclosure.
If taxpayer / spouse don't enter the 5-digit PIN and the ERO enters the PIN himself, taxpayer / spouse must sign the IRS e-file Signature Authorization form.
Taxpayer is provided a signed copy of the return, Tax Return Signature / Consent to Disclosure with PINs displayed, IRS e-file Signature Authorization form, and original Forms 1099-R, W-2, and W-2G.
ERO retains a copy of the return; Forms 1099-R, W-2, and W-2G; and a copy of the original IRS e-file Signature Authorization form.
ERO submits IRS e-file Signature Authorization form only when requested to do so by the IRS.
If paper attachments to Form 8453 are specified in the 8453 screen, Form 8453 will also print with the return, though Form 8453 isn't a signature document and the PIN signature must still be entered.
Automatically generating signature date and taxpayer(s) PIN
If the taxpayer agrees, it's acceptable for an ERO and/or application to generate or assign a taxpayer(s) PIN. The taxpayer consents to the ERO's choice by completing and signing the Form 8879, IRS e-file Signature Authorization, containing the intended taxpayer PIN. The taxpayer PIN can be systematically generated or manually assigned to the electronic return and/or the signature authorization form. However, the ERO must receive the signature authorization signed by the taxpayer(s) before they transmit the electronic file to the IRS.
To automatically generate a signature date or taxpayer(s) PIN in the PIN screen, see Auto-generating the signature date and taxpayer(s) PIN for electronic 1040 returns.