Setup for Electronic Filing of 1099s
Step 1: Create an ID.me account and verify identity.
- 2 Responsible Officials (RO) from each organization must do this step
Step 2: Complete the Information Return (IR) Application for TCC
- 1 RO will complete most of this but the 2nd RO will do a condensed version as well.
Step 3: Receive your 5 digit TCC code
- This can take up to 45 days so it is important to do steps 1 and 2 NOW.
Step 4: Create a FIRE account
Step 5: Create your 1099 file and submit
Getting prepared:
- Set aside some uninterrupted time for this process. You probably need 15 to 30 minutes to complete steps 1 and 2.
- Scan a copy of your driver's license (or other identification document) and save it on your computer so it can be uploaded.
- Have your cell phone close by. You will need it for multi-factor login verifications and you will be required to submit a selfie for facial recognition.
- You will use an email address for logging in to ID.me and to the IRS e-services website.
- Legal business name, physical address, mailing address, phone and EIN.
- Prepare to take note of these important pieces of information: the password you create, the PIN you select and the EXACT naming convention you use for your school / government (should be the legal name). You will use the name more than once in the setup and filing process. The name must be the same every time. So in January, when you are electronically filing, you will need to know exactly how the name of the school / government is listed in your account.
- In step 2 you will be required to list 2 Responsible Officials and will need their SSN, DOB, email address, etc. It will only take the 2nd RO a couple of minutes.
Step 1: Create an ID.me account and verify your identity.
- Create a new account here. Both RO’s will do this individually.
- You will need:
- a photo of an identity document such as a driver’s license, state ID or passport.
- You'll also need to take a selfie during the identification process - or you can choose to video chat with a live ID.me agent using a smartphone or a computer with a webcam
- If you have trouble verifying your identity with ID.me, get help on the ID.me help site.
Step 2: Complete the IR Application for TCC
- RO #1: Click the green button to start the application here - use the email address used for ID.me and password
- Select your organization - individual (the only option)
- Then select “new application”.
- Select IR Application for TCC
- When selecting a role - pick issuer
• Complete the Firm information section
- You will need the organization EIN
• Complete the Application Details section
- Select the first option under Forms (includes 1099)
- Select the FIRE transmission method in the next column
• Complete the Role section
- Select Issuer
• Complete the Authorized User section
- SSN, DOB and other information will be required.
- Check the “contact” box at the bottom of the page that requests the RO’s information. This allows the RO to submit files through the FIRE system.
- You may add additional contacts in this section if you prefer. Contacts are allowed to submit files with your TCC code. RDA recommends making each RO a contact (2 contacts are required). Additional contacts are optional. An employee that is simply a “contact” does not need to complete Step 1.
• Complete the final sections
- Application Comments (optional)
- Application Summary
- Application Submission
- The PIN for both ROs in the ID process will be needed
- RO #2: Your part of the application - click the green button and use the email address used for ID.me and password
- RO #2 will create their own login for this site
- Select “organization” (where the first RO picked individual)
- Complete the Authorized User section as a RO and check the “contact” box
- Go through the final sections and enter your PIN to submit
Step 3: Receive your 5 digit TCC code
- According to the IRS, this can take up to 45 days
- The IRS will mail the TCC to the first RO listed on the application. You can also view the TCC online on the IR Application for TCC.
- Once you receive the TCC code, you can share the TCC, EIN, and Legal Business name (exactly as entered into the IR Application for TCC) with the Contacts so they can create a FIRE account on the FIRE System and begin filing information returns electronically.
Step 4: Create a FIRE account
- https://fire.irs.gov/
- Create a new account
- You will create a user ID and password specifically for FIRE
Step 5: Create your 1099 file and submit via FIRE
- You will create your 1099 file via RDA software and save that file on your computer.
- You will log into https://fire.irs.gov/ to submit your file.
What if I just don’t want to do it….
- A registered tax preparer can electronically file for you.
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