For transmitters/software developers/tax professionals Q. What benefit will ETEC afford me as a transmitter/tax preparer? A. Electronically filing Excise Forms will allow tax professionals to serve their clients more expeditiously (with fewer errors and less time) which in turn will allow for serving more clients. Q. Will I be able to process my client's excise payments electronically? A. Taxpayers and their tax professionals can make tax payments through the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS) or they can choose the Direct Debit (from checking or savings account) option. Both options will be included in the Form 2290 software application. Q. Will we be able to include attachments with Form 2290? If so, in what format will they need to be in? A. Yes. You will be able to include attachments with electronic filing of Forms 2290. They will need to be in PDF format. Q. Will refunds be sent electronically? A. Currently, Excise refunds are manually processed and distributed in the form of paper checks. IRS is working to make an electronic refund option available. Q. What support is offered by IRS? A. Transmitters and software developers may call the toll-free IRS e-Help Desk at 866-255-0654 to receive help with technical issues. The e-Help Desk is staffed Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Central time. Q. Why is the IRS offering excise e-file? A. Offering electronic filing of Form 2290 will satisfy Congressional mandate to provide filers an electronic option for filing Excise Form 2290. Q. Who may file excise forms electronically? A. Any taxpayer who pays the providers required service fee for on-line submission will be able to electronically transmit Form 2290. Q. Who must file excise forms electronically? A. The American Jobs Creation Act requires that any taxpayer who files a Form 2290 return under Section 867(c) with respect to 25 or more vehicles for any taxable period shall file such returns electronically. Q. When can I e-file Forms 2290, 720 and 8849? A. IRS currently accepts electronically-filed Forms 2290, Heavy Highway Vehicle Use Tax, Form 720, Quarterly Federal Excise Tax and Form 8849, Claim for Refund of Excise Taxes. Q. Where and how do I access the electronic excise tax forms? A. Taxpayers will be required to submit their electronic Excise Tax forms through an approved transmitter/software developer. Q. Can all Excise Tax forms be filed electronically? A. No. Only Form 2290, Heavy Highway Vehicle Use Tax; Form 720, Quarterly Federal Excise Tax; and Form 8849, Claim for Refund of Excise Taxes are available for e-file. Q. Will the IRS provide training, publications or instruction to assist in filing? A. IRS will not provide training for taxpayers. However, IRS will provide support to the software manufacturers/vendors. Taxpayers should seek technical support from their software providers. Q. Will IRS continue to provide stamped copies of Schedule 1? A. IRS will provide stamped copies of the Schedule 1 through the mail for paper returns. Taxpayers filing electronic returns will receive Schedule 1 electronically through their transmitter or software provider. The electronic Schedule 1 will contain an e-file logo watermark and can be printed for your use. Back to Information and Technical Guidance for Software Developers and Transmitters page
