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The State of Michigan is working
with tax preparers and software developers to encourage taxpayers to e-file
their income tax returns. E-file is secure, fast, convenient, and helps save
Michigan taxpayer dollars. E-filed returns cost 83% less to process than paper
returns.
Beginning January 1, 2012, the IRS is mandating preparers filing 11 or more returns to e-file those returns, with minor exceptions. Michigan would expect any preparer
e-filing federal returns to also e-file the Michigan returns.
Preparers must also e-file all eligible Michigan Business Tax returns that are supported by their software.
The Michigan Department of Treasury, and its customers, continue to benefit from advances in technology that improve efficiencies and enhance the State's tax filing, refund, and audit processes. E-file is a key component in this improvement and enhancement.
Over the last decade, the popularity
of e-filing has grown significantly, with two-thirds of all Michigan taxpayers
choosing to e-file their 2010 income tax returns. Tax professionals were
responsible for a significant percentage of that growth. The continued support
of e-file from the tax professional community is a key component of future
e-file growth.
| How to Participate in e-filing |
- Complete the IRS application process to participate in the IRS e-file
Program. It takes about 45 days to process the application. Read more about
e-file and the IRS application process at www.irs.gov.
- Once your Federal application is completed and approved, the IRS will
forward your information to the State of Michigan and you are automatically
accepted into the Michigan e-file program. Then you are ready to start
e-filing!
- Taxpayers can browse the IRS Authorized e-file Provider locator service to find a
preparer who offers e-file.
- For complete information regarding the Michigan e-file program, please
review the Electronic
Filing Programs Tax Preparer Handbook.
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| Choosing Tax Preparation Software |
You
will need to purchase tax preparation software that supports e-file. When
choosing software, you should consider the following:
- Software must be accepted by the IRS and the State of Michigan.
- What Michigan and federal
forms are supported
- Software should support Fed/State and State-Only/State Stand Alone e-filing.
- How returns are transmitted.
- Volume discounts and/or charges for rejections or retransmissions.
- Number of software updates issued.
- Communication of updates (Web site, modem, express mail, regular mail).
- Technical support.
Software developers producing tax
preparation software and computer-generated forms must support e-file for all
eligible Michigan forms that are included in their software package.
>View a list of companies
that offer e-file software for Michigan and federal income tax and Michigan
business tax returns for tax year 2011.
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To
check the status of your clients' income tax returns use
Check My Income Tax Info.
Please allow 14 days before checking the status of an e-filed return.
Business
tax account information is also available on use
Check My Business Tax Info.
Practitioner Services - This Web-based service allows practitioners to ask
general and account specific questions for both individual and business tax
customers.
Visit the IRS Web site for more information about upcoming Tax Pro Events.
LISTSERV for Tax Professionals Archives
- View previous messages from the Treasury Tax Professionals' LISTSERV.
Subscribe to
Treasury Tax Professionals'
LISTSERV
 to receive future communications as they are sent.
Information for Michigan Business Taxpayers
2011
Tax Text
Michigan State University
Tax School
University of Michigan Tax
School
Taxpayer Assistance Manual and other information for taxpayer
volunteer groups.
State Tax
Agency Websites
- courtesy of the Federation of Tax Administrators
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| Other Helpful Information |
Frequently
Asked Questions
Michigan:
Customer Contact Center
Web site: www.michigan.gov/iit
Telephone: 1-517-636-4486
(for income tax return status or specific account questions)
Web site:
www.michigan.gov/bustax
Telephone: 517-636-4657
(for Michigan business tax return status or specific account questions)
Michigan Electronic Filing Programs
Web site:
www.MIfastfile.org
Email: MIefile2D@michigan.gov
Telephone: 517-636-4450
(for tax preparers, transmitters and software developers only)
Note: Electronic Filing Programs staff is unable to provide return status
information or address specific taxpayer account issues.
Federal e-filing:
Web site:
www.irs.gov
Telephone: 1-866-255-0654
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