The IRS has released an updated version of Form 4419, dated June 2018. The form is used to request authorization from the IRS to transmit certain information returns electronically through the Filing Information Returns Electronically (FIRE) system. FIRE is used to file the following forms electronically with the IRS: Forms 1042-S (Foreign Person’s U.S. Source Income Subject to Withholding), 1097 (Bond Tax Credit), 1098 (Mortgage Interest Statement), 1099 (Miscellaneous Income), 3921 (Exercise of an Incentive Stock Option Under Section 422(b), 3922 (Transfer of Stock Acquired Through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan Under Section 423(c), 5498 (IRA Contribution Information), 8027 (Employer’s Annual Information Return of Tip Income and Allocated Tips), 8955-SSA (Annual Registration Statement Identifying Separated Participants with Deferred Vested Benefits) and W-2G (Certain Gambling Winnings).
Importantly, FIRE is not used to file Forms 1094-C, 1095-C, 1094-B or 1095-B, which are filed through the Affordable Care Act Information Return (AIR) system.
In order to transmit files electronically through FIRE, the filer must have appropriate software, a capable service provider or an in-house programmer that will create the file in the proper ASCII format. The Form 4419 must be submitted at least 45 days before the due date of the return to allow time for approval and a Transmitter Control Code to be assigned.
The updated version is substantially the same as the previous version, but filers must take care to use the most recent version of the form.
Form 4419 »