For returns filed on or after January 1, 2014, you must e-file if you meet either of the following conditions:
You or your firm prepared tax documents for more than 10 taxpayers
- You or your firm prepared at least one authorized tax document for more than 10 different taxpayers during calendar year 2013 and will use tax software to prepare one or more authorized tax document in 2014.
- An authorized document includes any document that the Tax Department requires to be e-filed. If the document can’t be e-filed, you don’t have to count it to determine if you meet the 10 taxpayer threshold.
You were previously subject to the mandate
This includes tax professionals who were subject to the mandate because they prepared more than five New York State tax documents in 2011, and tax professionals who were subject to the mandate in 2012.
Which types of tax documents prepared for more than 10 different taxpayers will trigger the mandate?
- Personal income tax
- Partnership
- Fiduciary
- Sales
- Corporation tax
- Beverage Container
- Taxicab Medallion Fee
- International Fuel Tax Agreement
- Extensions, amended returns, prior year returns, estimated tax payments and any other mandated New York tax documents
Don’t forget
- Tax year 2012 can still be electronically filed and falls under the mandate in processing year 2014.
- Clients can't opt-out of e-file.
- You can't charge a separate fee for e-file.
- If you have reasonable cause to not e-file, you must maintain adequate documentation. You must provide that documentation to us if you or your client receives a penalty bill for failing to e-file.
- You're responsible for determining whether or not you're subject to the mandate.
- Once you're subject to the mandate, it continues to apply to you in all following years, even if you no longer meet the threshold.
- If you can't electronically file the return because it's not supported by your approved e-file software or it can't be filed on our Web site, then you aren't required to e-file it.
See the summary of mandated tax documents and payment methods for more information.
Definitions
Tax preparer: You’re a tax return preparer if you:
- prepare any New York State return or claim for refund for compensation; or
- receive compensation for returns or claims for refund prepared by people that you employ or engage.
The mandate applies to tax return preparers located within and outside New York State.
Tax software is any computer software program intended for tax return preparation purposes. This includes, but is not limited to :
- an off-the-shelf software program loaded onto a tax return preparer’s or taxpayer’s computer;
- an online tax preparation application; or
- a tax preparation application hosted by the Tax Department.
Authorized tax document: Includes any document that the Tax Department requires to be e-filed. If the document can’t be e-filed, you don’t have to count it to determine if you meet the more than 10 different taxpayer threshold.
http://www.tax.ny.gov/tp/efile/mandate_participants.htm