Iris Tax Services is an Authorized IRS e-file Provider.  With e-file, you can get your refund in as few as 8 days with direct deposit.  It gets better: Receiver official confirmation that the IRS received your return!

e-file is short for electronic tax return filing. It includes both preparing taxes electronically using tax software and filing taxes electronically. You can pay electronically, too.

You or your tax professional, prepare your tax return. In many cases, the tax professional is also the Electronic Return Originator (ERO) who is authorized to file your return electronically to the IRS. Ask your tax professional to file your return through IRS e-file.

You sign your electronic tax return by either using a Self-Select PIN for e-file for a completely paperless return, or by signing Form 8453, U.S. Individual Income Tax Transmittal for an IRS e-file Return.See " If the return is electronic, how do I sign it?" for more information.

After you sign the return using a Self-Select PIN or Form 8453,the ERO transmits the return to the IRS or to a third-party transmitter who then forwards the entire electronic record to the IRS for processing. Once received at the IRS, the return is automatically checked by computers for errors and missing information. If it cannot be processed, it is sent back to the originating transmitter (usually the ERO) to clarify any necessary information. After correction, the transmitter retransmits the return to the IRS. Within 48 hours of electronically sending your return to IRS, the IRS sends an acknowledgment to the transmitter stating the return is accepted for processing. This is your proof of filing and assurance that the IRS has your return information. The Authorized IRS e-file Provider then sends Form 8453 to the IRS.

If due a refund, you can expect to receive it in approximately three weeks from the acknowledgment date - even faster with Direct Deposit (half the time as when filed on paper). If you owe tax, see "What if I owe Money?" for payment options available this year.

In 1986 the IRS developed an electronic version of a paper tax return that is able to be sent by direct transmission.  More than 76.8 million tax returns were filed electronically last year.  According to the IRS, E-filers enjoy the following benefits:

• Fewer mistakes because the return was transmitted electronically instead of being entered manually (the error rate for electronic returns is less than one percent).

• No paper returns to process.

• For the taxpayer there was no longer a concern that the postal service would not deliver the return.

• Electronic Confirmation – The IRS acknowledges receipt of the return.  They also check the return to make sure basic information is accurate (e.g. spelling of names, dates of birth, Social Security Numbers, etc.).  If these types of mistakes are made the IRS sends a reject acknowledgment letting the E-filer know what needs to be fixed before retransmitting.  This reduces the chances of receiving a pesky IRS letter!

• Faster Refunds – Typically, taxpayers' refunds are received in about half the time it takes for a paper return.

• Electronic Signatures – You can create your own Personal Identification Number (PIN) that represents your signature.  This allows you to file a completely paperless return with the IRS.

• File Now, Pay Later – E-filers who owe the IRS can file their return now and schedule a payment to be drafted from their bank account on the due date.  This is in contrast to a paper return where you have to mail payment when you send the return.  You can also pay your balance due by credit card or enroll in the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS) to make payments by phone or Internet.

Because of these advantages, the IRS began partnering with tax professionals to offer this service to taxpayers.  Don’t delay, visit your local Iris Tax Services office to have our knowledgeable preparers complete your tax return.  We electronically file all tax returns unless the client requests otherwise.  And, it is FREE with paid tax preparation.