Who Must File Electronically

The requirements to file electronically depend on the type of information returns that are being filed.

The regulations and revenue procedures under section 6011(e)(2)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code provide that any person, including a corporation, partnership, employer, estate and trust, who files 250 or more information returns, such as Forms 1042-S, 1097-BTC, 1098, 1099, 3921, 3922, 5498, 8027, W-2 and W-2G for any calendar year, must file these returns electronically. This requirement applies separately for each type of form. All requirements apply separately to both original and corrected forms.

Forms 1042-S, 1097-BTC, 1098, 1099, 3921, 3922, 5498, 8935, and W-2G may be filed with the Internal Revenue Service/Information Returns Branch (IRS/IRB) electronically using the FIRE system via the internet at https://fire.irs.gov/firev1r/. General information on filing and making corrections, as well as specifications for electronic filing, are found in Publication 1220 (PDF), Specifications for Filing Forms 1097, 1098, 1099, 3921, 3922, 5498, 8935, and W-2G Electronically.

Form 8027 (PDF) may be filed with the IRS/IRB electronically. Specifications for Form 8027 may be found in Publication 1239 (PDF),Specifications for Filing Form 8027, Employer’s Annual Information Return of Tip Income and Allocated Tips, Electronically.

Form 1042-S (PDF) may be filed with the IRS/IRB electronically. Specifications for Form 1042-S may be found in Publication 1187 (PDF), Specifications for Filing Form 1042-S, Foreign Person’s U.S. Source Income Subject to Withholding, Electronically.

Form 8955-SSA (PDF) may be filed with the IRS/IRB electronically. Specifications for Form 8955-SSA may be found in Publication 4810 (PDF), Specifications for Filing Form 8955-SSA , Annual Registration Statement Identifying Separated Participants with Deferred Vested Beneficiary, Electronically.

For assistance with Publications 1187, 1220, 1239, and 4810, contact the IRS/IRB Customer Service Section by calling toll-free at 866-455-7438, 304-263-8700 (not toll-free) or by using the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at 304-579-4827 (not toll-free) between 8:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Eastern time.

All specifications for electronic filing of Forms W-2, with the Social Security Administration may be found in the technical bulletins from the Social Security Administration. For questions about filing Forms W-2 electronically, call the Social Security Administration at 800-772-6270.

IRS forms and publications may be downloaded from the IRS website at www.irs.gov or ordered by calling toll-free at 800-829-3676.

Source: Internal Revenue Service
Last reviewed: September 19, 2013