The Electronic Tax Administration Advisory Committee wants mandatory efiling requirements for paid preparers to be phased in over three tax filing seasons. That was one of many recommendations in that body's 2010 annual report to Congress. The committee suggested a requirement of 100 returns for the 2010 filing season, 50 for 2011 and 10 for 2012.
As an alternative, the 13-member advisory body suggested a two-year phase-in with mandatory efiling for those with more than 100 returns in 2011 and 10 for 2012. ETAAC also asked for taxpayers to have the right to opt out of having 1040 returns filed electronically and also said firms that had compelling reasons should be able to apply for a hardship waiver under limited circumstances.
The committee added there are concerns about plans for the how many forms are being added for the 2012 seaspmunder the Modernized eFile system (MeF). The IRS intends to have the same 23 forms in the 2011 filing system as were on the list in 2010, but intends to boost the number by adding 148 forms in the 2012 season.
"In fact, ETAAC has serious concerns about IRS’ ability to develop and deliver a stable, high performance Form 1040 MeF system in 2012 based on a plan that assumes the addition of over 100 forms between the 2011 and 2012 filing seasons," the report stated. The committee suggested either adding more in 2011 or deferring some of those planned for 2012.
Bob Scott has provided information to the tax and accounting community since 1991, first as technology editor of Accounting Today, and from 1997 through 2009 as editor of its sister publication, Accounting Technology. He is known throughout the industry for his depth of knowledge and for his high journalistic standards. Scott has made frequent appearances as a speaker, moderator and panelist and events serving tax and accounting professionals. He has a strong background in computer journalism as an editor with two former trade publications, Computer+Software News and MIS Week and spent several years with weekly and daily newspapers in Morris County New Jersey prior to that. A graduate of Indiana University with a degree in journalism, Bob is a native of Madison, Ind
