As e-filing of tax returns has become the norm, we have observed that some clients no longer take responsibility for their tax returns.
A completed return will sometimes sit in an individual’s home for several weeks without being opened under the assumption that we have filed the return. EFS cannot file your tax return until we have received a signed 8879 electronic authorization. The 8879 states that you have reviewed the return, consider it correct, and are giving us permission to e-file the return on your behalf.
It is okay to e-file your return before its due date, even if you owe money and do not plan to pay until the April 15th deadline. Acceptance of e-filed returns takes longer as the April 15th deadline approaches due to increased volume. So, file early.
Tax information should be provided to us in an organized, complete manner. To assist you with this process, we provide a tax organizer every January based on your prior year’s return. Well organized information, will save you tax preparation fees and has less potential for errors. When return information is given to us in a bag, shoebox, or other container, our tax preparers must spend extra time sorting the records and trying to decipher them. Not only does it cost you more, the chances of errors are higher because we are trying to put together records that belong to someone else who is more familiar with what they have done throughout the year.
Don’t wait until the last minute and expect us to prepare your return on time. Imagine what it would be like, if every person in the US brought their tax return to their preparer on April 14th. Completing every return at the last minute is an impossible task.
Read our January newsletter that comes with your organizer so you are aware of any items that may be relevant to your tax return. The newsletter contains important filing dates, deadlines and tax changes. Frequently, they are returned to us unopened with the organizer.