OK, ladies and gentlemen. I see it is the top of the hour. For those of you just joining, welcome to today's webinar, Understanding the e-Services Transcript Delivery System. We're glad you're joining us today. My name is Philip Yamalis and I'm a Senior Stakeholder Liaison with the Internal Revenue Service. I will be your moderator for today's webinar which is slated for approximately 75 minutes. Before we begin today, if there's anyone in the audience that is with the media, we ask that you please send us an e-mail message to the address that you see on the slide. Be sure to include your contact information and the news publication you're with. Our media relations and our Stakeholder Liaison staff will assist you immediately and answer any questions that you might have. As a reminder, ladies and gentlemen, this webinar will be recorded and posted to the IRS Video Portal in a few weeks. The portal is located at www.IRSvideos.gov.

Please note continuing education credit or certificates of completion are not offered if you view an archived version of our webinars on the IRS Video Portal. We hope that you will not experience any technology problems today, but if you do, this slide shows some helpful tips and reminders. Again, we've posted a technical help document that you can download from the materials section on the left side of your screen. Provides the minimum system requirements for viewing this webinar along with some best practices and quick solutions. If you've completed and passed the system check and yet you are still having problems, we urge you to try one of the following options that you see on this slide. The first option is to relaunch your player or close the screen where you're viewing the webinar and simply relaunch it. That usually solves the trick. The second option, as I mentioned earlier, is to click on the settings on your browser viewing screen and select "HLS." By now, you should have received a PDF copy of today's presentation in a reminder e-mail, but if not, folks, no worries. You can download it by simply clicking on the materials drop-down arrow on the left side of your screen as shown on this slide.

As I mentioned before the top of the hour, closed captioning is available for today's presentation. If you're having trouble hearing the audio through your computer speakers, please click the closed options closed captioning drop-down arrow located on the left side of your screen. This feature will be available throughout the webinar. During the presentation, we'll take a few breaks to share some knowledge-based questions with you. You all know how this works.

At those times, a polling style feature will pop up on your screen with a question and some multiple-choice answers. Select the response you believe is correct by clicking on the radio button next to your selection and then simply click, submit. Some folks may not be getting the polling question. This may be because you have your pop-up blocker on, so please take a moment to disable your pop-up blocker now so that you can answer the polling questions as they're presented to you today. Now, if you have a topic-specific question today, please submit it by clicking the "ask question" drop down arrow to reveal the text box. Once the text box opens up, type your question in the text box and then click, send. It's very important, I'd like to remind you once again, please do not enter any sensitive or any taxpayer-specific information when asking your question. Again, welcome and thank you for joining us for today's webinar. Before we move along with our session, let me make sure you're in the right place today. Today's webinar is Understanding the e-Services Transcript Delivery System. As I mentioned earlier, this webinar is scheduled for approximately 75 minutes. Let me go ahead and introduce today's speakers to you. Joseph McCarthy, Veronica Tubman, they are Senior Stakeholder Liaisons in the Communications and Liaison Division. More importantly, they are my colleagues. Both work with me to serve tax professionals and small business owners in their respective states and areas, providing outreach and education and identifying ways the agency can be more responsive to customers' needs. Joseph McCarthy and Veronica Tubman are two of my favorites, so I'm sure you will enjoy them today. Let me go ahead and begin by turning it over to Joe to begin the presentation. Welcome, Joe. JOSEPH MCCARTHY: Well, thanks, Philip, and welcome, everybody, today to today's presentation. Today we're going to talk about a number of different topics including ensuring access to the IRS e-Services Transcript Delivery System, how Secure Access safeguards taxpayer data and registering for Secure Access for both new and existing e-service users. We're also going to discuss how to access the e-file application from IRS.gov, how to access the Transcript Delivery System for Circular 230 tax practitioners and retrieving transcripts delivered by the Practitioner Priority Service. But before we start the presentation, let me give you a bit of background about obtaining client transcripts. Many tax professionals were accustomed to obtaining client account transcripts, tax return transcripts and wage and income transcripts from the IRS by calling the Practitioner Priority Service and having the Practitioner Priority Service fax those transcripts to them. This service is no longer available. As a result, tax professionals have three options to obtain client transcripts.

Veronica, let me turn it over to you. VERONICA TUBMAN: Thanks, Joe. With the discontinuance of the fax service, there are now only three ways representatives with valid authorizations can obtain client transcripts. One, by mail, except for unredacted wage and income transcripts which usually take about 10 days to receive. Two, by calling the Practitioner Priority Service which will then deliver the transcripts into the representative's Secure Object Repository, also known as the e-Services secure mailbox. Transcripts can take up to 45 minutes. Or, Three, by using the e-Services Transcript Delivery System where transcripts are delivered within minutes. The latter two methods of delivery render the transcripts accessible only by having a Secure Access online account. A Secure Access online account provides access to the Secure Object Repository where transcripts are electronically delivered when requested by the Practitioner Priority Service.

It also provides access to the e-Services Transcript Delivery System as well. Secure Access is now a two-step system. The first step requires a user ID and password, while the second security step is generally a security code sent via text message. Just so you know, the terms "Secure Object Repository" and "e-Services secure mailbox" are the exact same thing. We use the terms interchangeably. You know, we also are going to cover how to gain access to the Transcript Delivery System by using IRS Secure Access two-factor authentication to access the firm's e-file application and e-Services and verify the Transcript Delivery System, which we also call TDS.

Make sure the box is checked under the "services authorized for" section of the application.

Now, we will also cover how to select Transcript Delivery System authority for each applicable, responsible official and delegated user under the authorized user section or selection of the application. Take it away, Joe. YAMALIS: Hey, Joe. I'm going to ask you to move a little closer to your microphone. I'm not sure that we can hear you. We'll give Joe a second to join us here. MCCARTHY: I'm sorry about that. I was on mute and I told three hilarious jokes while I was on mute, but unfortunately, YAMALIS: I believe it. MCCARTHY: We don't have the time to go over them now. Next, TUBMAN: We missed it. MCCARTHY: to protect IRS's e-Services , the Transcript Delivery System and other IRS online products, the IRS introduced a more rigorous authentication process called Secure Access. Secure Access helps secure IRS online products using a two-factor authentication process. That means when using IRS e-Services, tax professionals must enter their username and password, plus they must enter a Social Security number, I'm sorry, a security code that is sent as a text to their mobile phone or generated by their IRS2Go app. Thieves may be able to steal your username and password, but it's unlikely they will also have access to your mobile phone. Veronica, back to you. TUBMAN: OK, Joe. If you are new to e-Services and you haven't previously registered for a Secure Access online account, then you'll need to register for Secure Access with a newly created username. If you had a prior e-Services account and have not completed this process already, you will need to create an online account in Secure Access. If you have already completed a Secure Access online account or get transcripts online, get an IP PIN or any Secure Access protected tool on IRS.gov, you may log into e-Services and your existing account can be used to access e-Services, which is a great thing. You may need to change your username to fit with the new e-Services rules. Later, we're going to demonstrate how the Secure Access online account registration process works step by step, but here's some information about what you'll need to register if you haven't already done so. You will need an e-mail address for your confirmation code, Social Security number or Individual Tax Identification Number, tax filing status and a mailing address from the last filed tax return. Those things are really important to have. You will also need one financial account number that's linked to your name. It can be a credit card or a student loan or you can also have mortgage or home equity loan or home equity line of credit or an auto loan. You will also need a mobile phone linked to your name and you need that to receive an activation code.

There are three common ways that can prevent instant approval of your Secure Access registration, so take note. You don't have access during the registration process to the e-mail address you designated for your Secure Access online account. Now, a one-time confirmation code is sent to your e-mail address as you begin the registration process and it's only valid for 24 hours. You can't continue the registration process at the onset unless you can provide this confirmation code or if you don't have a text-enabled cell phone number in your name. A one-time activation code is text during the registration process to validate your identity and your mobile phone number which is valid for a 10-minute time period. You don't have one of the required financial accounts that can be verified with a third-party credit reporting agency or the verification process failed. If not again, there is always a workaround for this type of issue as well.

Philip, why don't we pause here for our first polling question? YAMALIS: Veronica, I think that's an excellent idea. Sounds good to me. Audience, it's time for our first polling question.

What do you need in order to register for Secure Access? We just heard Veronica present this.

What do you need in order to register for Secure Access? Select the best answer. Is it A, an e-mail address, B, a social security number or an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, C, a financial account number linked to your name, D, a mobile phone linked to your name or is it E, all of the above? Take a moment. Again, click the radio button that best answers the question.

I will give you a few seconds to think this out. Make your selection. What do you need in order to register for Secure Access? Please select the best answer now. A couple more seconds.

OK. Let's do it. Let's go ahead and stop the polling now and let's share the correct answer on the next slide, folks. And there it is. The correct response is E, all of the above. See that 97 percent, 97 percent of you responded correctly. So that's an awesome correct response rate.

Thank you for paying attention. With that, let's go ahead and turn it over to Joe who's going to explain how to go onto the login page to start this whole system. Joe? MCCARTHY: Well, thanks, Phil. Let's walk through the registration process. The first step is to go to the e-Services landing page which can be found at www.IRS.gov/eservices and select the, e-file provider service, button. It will take you to a login page that's displayed on screen. You should select, create account, option if you're new to e-Services or were a previous e-Services user who has yet to register for a Secure Access online account. If you have a previous Secure Access online account, enter your username under, login. We suggest that anyone listed as a principal, responsible official or delegated user or any new or existing electronic e-file application complete this process. An e-file application with an active electronic filing identification number or EFIN that has met the minimum e-file requirement of five or more e-file returns will be able to have access to the Transcript Delivery System when they've been granted the authority to do so. Veronica? TUBMAN: Thanks, Joe. When the IRS switched to Secure Access to access client transcripts, many tax professionals didn't complete the Secure Access authentication online process and unfortunately, they lost their access to e-Services, including the Transcript Delivery System. They and any other tax professionals who never registered for Secure Access are now finding out that they can no longer use the Practitioner Priority Service for faxed transcripts and as a result of that, they need to restore or obtain access to e-Services. If you had access to e-Services before the IRS secure, excuse me. If you had access to e-Services before the IRS required Secure Access authorization and you never followed through creating a Secure Access online account, you are now unable to access e-Services. What you'll need to do is register for Secure Access. When you do, the system will pre-populate your existing e-Services username. It will link up to your e-Services account and it also will allow the system to link up to your existing electronic e-file application once your Secure Access online account is completed and that's a good thing. The e-file application is the vehicle for establishing permission for your firm's user to access the Transcript Delivery System. Joe, let me turn it back over to you. MCCARTHY: OK. Thank you, Veronica. The registration process starts with a series of what we call expectation setting pages. These pages want to make sure that you have the necessary information at hand before you get started. For example, as previously mentioned, the financial data section looks for specific types of financial account data such as credit card numbers, student loans, home mortgage loans, home equity loans, home equity lines of credit or car loans. You only need one of these acceptable accounts. Most people use a credit card. If you don't have any of these financial data points, there's an alternative option which I'll discuss shortly. You'll also need a mobile phone associated with your name.

This mobile phone can be a prepaid mobile phone. If you don't have a mobile phone associated with your name, there's another option that I'll explain in a minute, but let's stop here for our next polling question. YAMALIS: OK. Let's do it. Our next polling question, Joe. I know our audience was paying attention. I know they're ready, so let's go ahead and present our second polling question. The question is what type of financial information is needed to register for the Transcript Delivery System? Is it A, a credit card, B, student loan, C, mortgage or a home equity loan, D, a home equity line of credit, E, an auto loan or F, any one of the above? Take a moment. Click the radio button that best answers the question. I will give you a few more seconds to make your selection. All right. Let's go ahead and stop the polling now and let's share the correct answer on the next slide. And there it is. And the correct response is F, any of the above. You will need to have any of the items listed on this slide in order to register for the Transcript Delivery System. Any. Well, folks, I see that 99 percent of you responded correctly. I don't think it gets much better than that. So before I turn it over to Veronica to continue with our presentation, I did want to acknowledge that I see some comment about this webinar overlapping by about 15 minutes with the National Tax Forum today. For those of you that are attending the National Tax Forum, no worries. We will acknowledge that at the top of the hour and give you a reminder to drop right off near the question-and-answer period. So with that, Veronica, let me go ahead and turn it over to you to continue our presentation, specifically on umm getting our identity and our e-mail verification saved. . TUBMAN: Thanks, Philip. Thank you so much. Appreciate it. We're really rocking and rolling today. Once you have all the information that you need to get started, you have your tax return, your financial account and your mobile phone, you can get started with registration. The first phase is to verify your e-mail address. Simply follow the prompts and enter your e-mail address as shown. Then minimize your Secure Access registration page and check your e-mail box. You will immediately receive an e-mail to the e-mail box you provided. The e-mail will have a confirmation code that you will need to continue the process. If you don't immediately see your e-mail, go ahead and check your spam folder just in case. Now return to Secure Access registration and enter the e-mail confirmation number like you see here. The next step involves matching your identity to your tax return. Enter the personal information, your name as it is listed on your most recent filed tax return, along with your date of birth and filing status. OK. Enter your address exactly as it is on your most recently filed tax return. That's key. Again, it's important that everything you enter in this phase matches your tax return exactly before you continue. Joe? MCCARTHY: Thanks, Veronica. The next step is to enter a financial account number for one of the acceptable types of financial accounts which can be any one of the following, credit cards, student loan accounts, mortgage loan accounts, home equity loans or home equity lines of credit.

Now please note if you use a credit card, you must enter the last eight numbers on the credit card. Entering the credit card information incorrectly is a very common error. Also note you cannot use a debit card, a company issued credit card or an American Express card. Now also note that the IRS does not retain this information. We are asking it for this data simply to verify the user's identity. Veronica? TUBMAN: Thanks, Joe. If you are an existing e-Services user and you are unable to successfully authenticate your identity, there is a manual process to assist you and let's walk through that now. However, you must first try the online verification process. If you fail, you can call the e-help desk where assisters will validate your identity based on questions from your current and prior year's tax return. If you cannot validate by calling the e-help desk, you must validate your identity in person. That's walking into one of our IRS Taxpayer Assistance Centers. You must make an appointment online and bring two forms of government ID. For example, a driver's license and a social security card or an embossed birth certificate. Once you authenticate in person, you must call the e-help desk again and an assister will set up a temporary profile and issue you an activation code by mail. Only then can you go to the e-Services login page and complete your registration. Hey, Joe? MCCARTHY: Yes.

We also have an exception process for new e-Service users, those people who lack accounts and cannot authenticate online. These new users must validate their identities in person. First, they must call the IRS e-help desk and let the IRS know they are unable to complete the online Secure Access registration process. Then they must make an appointment at an IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center and bring an identification such as a driver's license, plus a social security card or an embossed birth certificate. Once the taxpayer validates their identity, then they must call the IRS e-help Desk again for assistance in obtaining a temporary profile and getting an activation code by mail. Back to you, Veronica. TUBMAN: OK. Thanks, Joe. The final phase involves verifying your mobile phone. Again, this must be a personal mobile phone associated with your name and it's text enabled. Enter your phone number and select, send message. The phone cannot be a landline or virtual phone such as a Skype or a Google Voice, although one of those could be used later for the two-factor authentication security code if you choose. Please note the links at the bottom of this slide. If you know you do not have a mobile phone that fits this criteria, you can access an, you can request, excuse me, an activation code by mail.

More on that a little later. Now, once you register, you will immediately receive an activation code text to verify your phone number. Enter the six-digit activation code when prompted.

Philip, I see another polling question on the horizon. YAMALIS: And let me tell you something, Veronica, that's a beautiful horizon in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania today. You're very perceptive seeing that next polling question. Here it is, our third polling question, ladies and gentlemen.

What type of phone must you have in order to complete the registration process? Again, what type of phone must you have in order to complete the registration process. Is it A, a landline, B, a virtual phone like Skype or Google Voice, C, a text-enabled mobile phone associated with your name or is it D, none of the above? Again, ladies and gentlemen, please take a moment, click the radio button that best answers this question. I will give you a few more seconds to make your selection. I know we can get 100 percent eventually today. Pretty close. Pretty close.

All right. Let's go ahead and stop the polling now and let's share the correct answer on the next slide. And there it is. The correct response is C, a text-enabled mobile phone associated with your name. See that 93 percent of our audience responded correctly. That's still a great response rate. Really appreciate you paying attention to our awesome speakers. I like how Joe and Veronica are really getting into the weeds in this and helping us understand this to the best of our ability. So with that, let's go ahead and turn it back over to Joe who's going to get into a little bit of information on some of the phone issues. Joe? MCCARTHY: Thanks, Phil.

Thank you, Phil. If you don't have a personal mobile phone associated with your name, you can request an activation code by mail. You'll generally receive it within 10 days and it's valid for 30 days from the date on the notice. Use the activation code to complete the Secure Access registration process and then register a text-enabled mobile or a virtual phone number of your choice or the IRS2Go app for use on an app-enabled digital device or a landline where the security codes will be provided by voice. To complete the registration when using IRS2Go app, your app-enabled device will need to be connected to the internet to complete an initial, one-time setup and receive a one-time digital key. However, after this initial setup is complete, the IRS2Go app itself will generate a security code when needed which is valid for one minute and you can do so offline. Again, when your device, your device does not need to be connected to the internet to generate a recurring security code needed for each log-on when designating the IRS2Go app as the communication method for receiving a Secure Access security code. Veronica? TUBMAN: OK. Here is what it looks like if you entered a mobile phone number and the system is unable to verify your mobile phone. You will be directed to finish registration using postal mail. If you select to complete registration by mail, you must select, continue, to complete setting up your user profile. Now you can come back to the login screen and get to this phase to enter either your personal or business mobile phone or landline after you've used the activation code received by mail to activate your account upon your next login attempt. Here is what you will see if you activated your Secure Access account by mail.

Click on, continue, to complete your account by creating a username. If you are a new user, password, site phrase and select a site image that's just for you. Remember, this is very important. Your registration is not complete until you log back into the system and enter your activation and security code. That, That firms it up. If you are a new e-Services user, create a username that meets the requirements on the page. If you have an existing e-Services username, you cannot change it. It will be pre-populated. You should also use a strong password that meets or exceeds the criteria listed on the page. Your username is permanent. If you are an existing Secure Access online account user for a product other than e-Services, the system may require you to change your username if it does not meet the e-Services requirement. There is no Joe? MCCARTHY: Thanks, Veronica. Next, you'll need to select a site phrase and a site image. longer a requirement that your password can be changed every six months, which is good to know.

The objective is to always look for your site phrase and image when you're signing on to IRS e-Services to make sure you have not gone on to a fake e-Services site. Once you have received your activation code in the mail, entered your activation code and verified your mobile phone, you can complete the process. Once you've successfully registered for one tool, you may access all the online tools for which you are eligible for your personal use. For example, your e-Services username, password and phone can be used to access get transcripts online where you can view your personal transcripts or view your tax account to see your personal account information. Once the user has completely completed the Secure Access authentication process, a new e-Services user will be prompted to create a PIN. This PIN will be used to electronically sign their e-Services application. If you are, if you are a user that already has a PIN, that PIN does not need to be changed. Once the PIN is affixed to, affixed to an electronic document, it indicates that the person making the changes is authorized to do so. The tax professional may voluntarily change their PIN by logging in and selecting the, modify PIN, link. The tax professional will then be prompted to enter a new five-digit numeric PIN and re-enter the PIN.

Please note the PIN is five digits long. It can't be the same as the last PIN and the PIN cannot use all the same numbers, like 55555. Veronica let me turn it over to you. TUBMAN: Thanks, Joe. Again, Secure Access offers a two-factor authentication process for returning users. This is a very important feature to prevent thieves from taking over your account. Each time you return to e-Services, you must enter your username each and every time. Enter your password. If you were able to create your account and the system was able to verify your mobile phone, then you're good. Your next screen will be where you enter the security code that is received either by text or through the IRS2Go app. If you were unable to activate your account during the initial registration process because a cell phone issue and opted to receive the activation code by mail, then after your first login, you'll be prompted to activate your account with the activation code that was mailed to your address of record which, remember, is the address on your individual tax return. Joe? MCCARTHY: Thanks, Veronica. Once you've activated your account, the phone used to receive your authentication codes does not have to be associated with your name. For example, it can be a company-issued mobile phone. You can even register the IRS2Go app on a mobile phone or a digital device such as an iPad to generate a security code or use a landline. Next, an activation code will be sent to authenticate the designated method for receiving future security codes for the two-factor authentication. Once the device you have designated to receive security codes has been activated when you access the Secure Access system, the IRS will send you a six-digit security code. The Transcript Delivery System will prompt you to enter the security code that you received on your cell phone, mobile phone, using the IRS2Go app or landline, whichever you designated. Enter the security code as shown on the slide. You must enter the security code to get into your Secure Access account. As you can see, Secure Access allows you to access many IRS electronic tools including get transcript online, view your account, get an IP PIN, online paying agreements, identity verification services, electronic e-file application and what we're discussing today, the Transcript Delivery System.

Veronica, back to you. TUBMAN: All righty now. The first step is to go to the e-Services landing page on IRS.gov at www.IRS.gov/eservices assuming that you're a principal officer, responsible official or delegate one of your firm's e-file application. Click the e-file provider services link and navigate to the Secure Access login page. Each e-Services application stands alone, meaning you must come back to the page on IRS.gov to access other e-Services like the Transcript Delivery System. Let's take a look at the Secure Access login page for the e-file provider services. First, enter your username and password. Then enter the six-digit security code you received on your mobile phone, IRS2go app or on a digital device or on your landline.

OK. Sorry about that. I do apologize. This is the Select Organization page after the login screen, please excuse me, for the e-file provider services. All firms appear that have an EFIN and where you are either designated as a principal, responsible official or delegated user.

Select the entity that corresponds to the firm that you want to check for Transcript Delivery System access. In this fictional example, we see that John Doe is listed on three different firm's e-file applications. John wanted to check if Conoco Incorporated is authorized for the Transcript Delivery System and specifically which users are authorized. Take it away, Joe.

MCCARTHY: Thanks, Veronica. After choosing the firm, the external services authorization management screen will pop up. This page will list all the e-file applications for the firm.

Now, there can be multiple e-file applications for a firm if the firm has multiple locations.

You can then view or edit an e-file application by selecting the e-file application and then clicking on the, view/edit, link. That link will take you to the e-file application summary which is pictured here in fairly small print. Here, you can view the firm's suitability status, personal suitability status, terms of agreement status, professional status, the fingerprint status and the provider option status from the summary page. The menu at the top of the summary screen can be used to access any area within the application that needs to be reviewed or updated. Here, click the, Services Authorized for, link which is circled at the top of the slide.

This is the authorized user section. If the firm qualifies for the Transcript Delivery System access based on the minimum e-file requirement or under the Circular 230 exception, then the Transcript Delivery System box will be listed and the box checked off under the Additional e-Services, I'm sorry, section. If the Transcript Delivery System box is not checked when it should be, call the e-help desk. If this is a new e-file application, the ability to use the Transcript Delivery System will automatically be enabled when your firm's e-file application has been successfully completed and when your firm has e-filed five or more accepted returns or otherwise meets the Circular 230 exception. Next, click, Authorized Users, on the top of the menu. Veronica, would you like to continue with the next slide? TUBMAN: Sure, I would. This section shows all of the authorized users associated with the firm's e-file application. This will also include at least one principal, one responsible official and primary contact. You also have the option to delegate additional users in your firm who can maintain your electronic e-file application and use the Transcript Delivery System on your behalf. Remember, only principals, responsible officials and delegated users can have access to the Transcript Delivery System. Click on the link in the, View, column for each responsible official and delegated user to determine if that individual has access to the Transcript Delivery System. Principals and responsible officials included in the initial e-file application have the Transcript Delivery System by default. Remember, responsible officials added later and any delegated users will need to be granted access to the Transcript Delivery System, while added principles will get access by default. Just click the, Add, button, choose the authorized user type which could be a principal, responsible official or delegated user and then enter the required information. Added users who are designated as a principal or responsible official will be subject to suitability screening, the FBI credit and compliance check just to be safe which can delay access to the Transcript Delivery System for about up to two hours. This screen is the pop-up entry form if you are adding a new responsible official. When adding a new responsible official, make sure you check the Transcript Delivery System box which is shown at the bottom of the slide. Joe, take it away. MCCARTHY: Thanks, Veronica. The principals or responsible officials of an organization may name delegated users who can be authorized to perform certain tasks including using the Transcript Delivery System. This screen is a pop-up entry form to add new, add a new delegated user. Delegated users generally don't have any authorities by default. They have to be assigned. So if you're adding a new delegated user to the Transcript Delivery System, then make sure you check the Transcript Delivery System box. If you're checking on an existing delegated user, the Transcript Delivery System box and the, and the authority section should already be checked assuming you have authorized this delegated user to use the Transcript Delivery System.

Delegated users are not subject to suitability screening and should be able to use the Transcript Delivery System immediately. However, by delegating the Transcript Delivery System authority or any other authorities, the principals will still be responsible for the delegated users, actions and activities. Remember, anyone designated as a principal, responsible official or delegated user will need to have their own individual Secure Access online account to access the electronic e-file application, the Transcript Delivery System and the Secure Object Repository or e-Services secure mailbox. Now we're going to discuss Transcript Delivery System access for Circular 230 tax practitioners. Circular 230 tax professionals, including attorneys, certified public accountants and enrolled agents, are able to access e-Services Transcript Delivery System even if they don't e-file tax returns. To do so, they must complete an online IRS e-file application and pass the same suitability checks required of Electronic Return Originators. Upon receipt of the e-mail or acceptance letter, log on to e-Services and choose the organization name used to apply. There is an online tutorial you can access from the e-Services menu bar if you need instruction on how to complete this request. Please note that non-Circular 230 tax professionals which are non-credentialed tax professionals must be Electronic Return Originators who file five or more tax returns to access the e-Services Transcript Delivery System. Veronica? TUBMAN: Thanks. You must always have a valid Form 2848, Power of Attorney, or Form 8821, Taxpayer Information Authorization, on file for the specific taxpayer form and tax period you are referencing in your transcript request. Again, these same rules apply to non-credentialed tax professionals as well. Circular 230 practitioners will need to obtain a Secure Access online account if one doesn't already exist and apply to become an Electronic Return Originator. We know that's ERO. This is because Transcript Delivery System is tied to an e-file application with an active EFIN. So you will need to complete the Secure Access authentication if not done previously, start a new e-file application. Business type, select sole proprietorship. Remember, you must apply as a sole proprietorship regardless of your actual entity type and use your own social security number for your firm's identification number if it is not a sole proprietorship. So keep that in mind. A Circular 230 practitioner will still undergo suitability screening, as would any ERO applicant, and the Transcript Delivery System will be manually activated after the applicant passes suitability and credential verification which usually takes about three to four weeks. We'll also send an e-file acceptance letter containing the Electronic Filing Identification Number or EFIN. You won't need to use this number unless you decide to provide e-file services at some time in the near future. As previously mentioned, non-credentialed tax professionals do not qualify for this exception.

Non-credentialed tax professionals must be Electronic Return Originators and e-file five or more returns. Joe, would you like to continue? MCCARTHY: Certainly, Veronica. Other information needs to be input, that needs to be input includes answering whether your firm has an Employer Identification Number or EIN. Also under, Provider Option, you must select, Electronic Return Originator. In addition, under, Business Activity, you must select, For Profit. On the comments page, enter, Circular 230: Applying to Obtain e-Services Access. This comment will help the IRS identify that you are requesting access to the Transcript Delivery System without having to e-file five or more tax returns. So for those of you who are attorneys, CPAs or enrolled agents who just do representation work, the five return minimum e-file requirement can be waived. Once the application has been completed and the Circular 230 practitioner undergoes and passes a suitability test, the Transcript Delivery System will be manually activated. This usually takes about three to four weeks. The IRS will also send you an e-file acceptance letter containing your EFIN or Electronic Filing Number. It is important to note that under Circular 230 exception process, you will not be able to delegate Transcript Delivery System access to anyone else in your firm. The ability to delegate users is activated only when five or more tax returns are e-file. Also remember non-credentialed tax professionals do not qualify for this exception.

Non-credentialed tax professionals must be Electronic Return Originators and e-file five or more tax return. Now, there is more detailed information on the IRS website related to the Circular 230 practitioner exception. Just word search, Circular 230 Practitioner e-Services Transcript Delivery System Access, or go to www.IRS.gov/e-file-providers/circular-230-practitioner-e-Services -access. Now, that's a long e-mail address. So again, just word search, Circular 230 Practitioner e-Services Transcript Delivery System Access. Phil, that was a lot of information. Let's pause here for our final polling question. YAMALIS: You're certainly right, Joe. That was a lot of information. So I know our audience has been paying attention. I know they're ready. Here's our final pulling question, ladies and gentlemen. Which of the following allows a tax professional to request transcripts using the e-Services Transcript Delivery System? Is it A, the Form 2848, Power of Attorney, B, the Form 8821, the Tax Information Authorization, or is it C, the Form 1040, Third-Party Designee or is it D, all of the above? Take a moment. Click on the radio button that best answers this question. I will indeed give you a few more seconds to make your selection.

So the following does not allow Circular 230 tax practitioners to request transcripts using the e-Services Transcript Delivery System. OK. Couple more seconds. Let's go ahead and stop the polling now and let's share the correct answer on the next slide. There it is. The correct response is C, Form 1040, Third-Party Designee. I see that 63 percent of you responded correctly. Yes, that's not a good response rate and I think I know why. Joe, I'm going to let you clarify that a little bit. You want to give it a shot? MCCARTHY: OK. I think there might be two reasons. Number one, the question was who does not or which form does not, YAMALIS: Right. MCCARTHY: rather than which form does. So people might have tripped up on that, but the other one is a lot of, YAMALIS: I think that was it. MCCARTHY: a lot of people might have checked the, might not have checked the 1040 Third-Party Designee because as much as practitioners want the Third-Party Designee box on the 1040 to be a Power of Attorney, meaning a 2848 or an 8821, it just does not serve the same function. The only function that the Third-Party Designee serves is for the IRS to ask questions about the processing of the return.

Once the return is processed, that authorization disappears. I think that hopefully explains at least some of the reasons why not as many people got it right. YAMALIS: Joe, I think you're correct and I'll take most of the blame because I believe I read it incorrectly at the beginning.

It is indeed what does not allow the Circular 230 tax practitioners to use it? So thanks for clarifying that for us. MCCARTHY: I forgive you, Phil. YAMALIS: I know. I know you would.

Anyway, thanks for clarifying that for us and with that, Veronica, let me go ahead and turn it over to you to talk about retrieving transcripts. TUBMAN: OK. Thanks, Philip, and thanks for the clarity, Joe. We strongly encourage any tax professional who can gain access to the Transcript Delivery System to use it for obtaining transcripts. It's the quickest way to obtain them.

However, any authorized representative can still call the Practitioner Priority Service and have the transcripts mailed other than the unredacted wage and income transcripts or electronically delivered to the Secure Object Repository. If you're not an e-Services user who already has a secure mailbox, you're probably asking how can that be done? Well, let me share it with you. The Secure Object Repository is also provided to any authorized representative who isn't an e-Services user now simply by clicking the, Access SOR, button on the e-Services landing page on IRS.gov and just logging in with an existing Secure Access credentials or you can apply for Secure Access directly through the link. The process will create an e-Services secure mailbox for use by the authorized representative who was not a previous e-Services user.

MCCARTHY: By the way, Veronica, this link works for any Secure Access user who wants to directly access their e-Services secure mailbox without first logging into the Transcript Delivery System. Now, please note that if you request transcripts from the, using the Practitioner Priority Service, the Practitioner Priority Service representative will ask you for your username and, I'm sorry, ask you for your e-Services username or user-specific code before they will send any transcripts to your Secure Object Repository or e-Services secure mailboxes, security feature that's recently been added. Transcripts obtained from the Transcript Delivery System are delivered to your Secure Object Repository inbox. If you have viewed a Transcript Delivery System product in the inbox, red items are marked with an, R, and are deleted three days after opening. Unread items are marked with a, U, and will remain in your mailbox for 30 days. If you have any questions about Secure Access or the Transcript Delivery System, you can call the IRS e-help desk at 1-866-255-0654. That number again is 1-866-255-0654. Phil, that's all we have, so I'm going to turn it back over to you. YAMALIS: Well, I'll tell you, Joe, I'm glad that last slide came up with the e-help desk number. We've got a lot of questions coming in and that happened to be a big one, what is the e-help desk phone number? So thanks for providing that information to us. Again, thank you, Joe, Veronica, for an excellent presentation on the e-Services Transcript Delivery System. Once again, it's me, Philip Yamalis. I'll be moderating the question-and-answer session today. Before we start the question-and-answer session, I want to thank everyone for attending today's presentation, Understanding the e-Services Transcript Delivery System. I know earlier I saw some comments about the National Tax Forum beginning at 2:00 o'clock Eastern Standard Time today and I know many of you have registered for that. So if you do have to drop off to attend, please do so at this time. This is your opportunity to do that as long as you've been on for at least 50 minutes from the top of the hour before we go into our question-and-answer period. If you haven't input your, input your questions yet, this is your opportunity. We want to know what questions you have for our presenters. Here is your opportunity to enter those questions now. Go ahead and click on the drop-down arrow next to, Ask Questions, type in your question and select, send. Joe and Veronica are staying on. Joining us for the question-and-answer session today is Jennifer Geier as well as Les Swartzwelder.

Jennifer and Les are Policy Analysts in the Electronic Products and Services Support Operation.

We call them SMEs or Subject Matter Experts. They're part of the Internal Revenue Service Wage and Investment Division. So again, before we start, I know that we will not have time to answer all the questions that have already been submitted. However, let me assure you we will answer as many as time allows. If you're participating to earn a certificate and related continuing education credit, you will qualify for one credit by participating at least 50 minutes from the official start time of the webinar, which means the first few minutes of chatting before the top of the hour, that does not count towards the 50 minutes. So those of you that want to go and join the National Tax Forum, as long as you've been here 50 minutes, go for it. Let's get started so we can get to as many questions as possible. Thank you, folks. I thank Les and Jennifer for joining us. Let me go ahead and start with you, Jen, Jennifer, I see a question that's come in.

When I log in after creating an account, I get the following message, You have not met the requirements to submit request for Taxpayer Delivery System, Transcript Delivery System. Check the online tutorials or e-Services on IRS.gov for additional information. All right. It's a common, common problem. What should this person do? Jen? JENNIFER GEIER: Phil, this person should check their e-file application and make sure that they are listed and that they've got the authorities to request transcripts through the Transcript Delivery System. If they do have the check box checked and they are authorized to pull transcripts through Transcript Delivery System, then I would suggest they call us at 1-866-255-0654 and one of our phone assisters would be able to help them resolve this issue. YAMALIS: Awesome. Awesome. We covered two questions with one answer there. Appreciate that. Les, let me turn it over to you. Thanks again for joining us. Hey, got a question from a tax practitioner. It says if you're a tax practitioner that does not meet the five e-filed returns criteria, can you still access Transcript Delivery System? Les, give that a shot, will you? LES SWARTZWELDER: Yes. This is Les and the only way that you can access that TDS system is if you would be a Circular 230 practitioner. You have to have an active e-file application and filed five or more returns or one that has been designated Circular 230 only. That's the only way you can get your access. YAMALIS: Gotcha. So if they're not designated a Circular 230 only, they've got to file at least those five returns to get Transcript Delivery System. SWARTZWELDER: Correct. YAMALIS: Thank you. Thank you. Les, let me ask you another question. Got somebody says that I just sent my e-file application on the 14th of July and I have not heard anything yet from the IRS. So how long does this normally take? Is there a delay because of the Coronavirus that's affecting us all right now? How long does it normally take to receive anything after an e-file application has been submitted? SWARTZWELDER: I would say we do allow and it says in the Publication up to 45 days to process an application from when they submit it until it gets completed. That includes if you have to submit fingerprint cards, the processing of the cards and our suitability checks. So even though we state, I would say the normal processing time is going to be at least two weeks and we did have a delay in letters going out. So you may actually have an active application, unless you've looked, and just haven't received a letter yet because they just started going out about two weeks ago. YAMALIS: Gotcha. So the pandemic has affected the application process as well. So once again, although it does take two weeks, we're asking that you allow up to 45 days and then what? Call the help desk for more information? SWARTZWELDER: Yes, I would suggest call the help desk if you haven't heard, but normally if it's going to take longer, they would receive another letter explaining that they needed additional time to process the application. YAMALIS: Yes.

And I know from past experience, they've been quite good at that and keeping you abreast with sending you a letter at least after a certain period of time. So thanks for clarifying that for us, Les. Jennifer, let me turn it over to you for this question. Actually a few people asked this question. One person states that I've used e-services for years and I find it very convenient in assisting my client. I got married in July of 2019. I don't know if I should say congratulations or my sympathies, but anyway, I'm just kidding. But this person changed their name with Social Security, they changed it with the PTIN registration, they changed it with the CAF and also as an Enrolled Agent with the Social Security Administration and their Board of Accountancy. Unfortunately, I can no longer pass the CAF test when trying to pull transcripts.

Who can I speak about this? What can I do? GEIER: So what I would, YAMALIS: Jennifer, give that a stab. GEIER: Phil, so what I would first do is verify on your e-file application. You'll want to look and make sure that your last name on your e-file application is the same as what's on your CAF number. If you cannot locate that, you can call our 1-800 number and one of our phone assisters can actually do the update for you, but it is a mismatch. Our e-file application has your old last name. So if you can, go online, update your last name, have the principal if you're not a principal on the application update your last name, but if you're still having problems, any one of our phone assisters could go in and make that update for you and it takes into effect immediately and then you would be able to pull transcripts again. YAMALIS: Awesome.

So the e-help desk is the number they would call there, 866-255-0654, once they've gone in the system to try it out, correct? GEIER: Yes. Yes, sir. YAMALIS: OK. Yes, guys. I have to agree with Jennifer on that. Always try to get online first and see if you can do that update immediately. If not, you can call in. That number is available. So Jennifer, let me go ahead and throw another question. What role can add a delegated user? We have a company here with many folks that want to access the Transcript Delivery System. Who is the person in the firm or the organization that can add a designated user to TDS? GEIER: So on an e-file application, the principal, the responsible official or a delegated user that has the authority to update the application can add a user to the application. So you'll want to talk to the principal or responsible officials to see who can make that update for you. YAMALIS: Very good. So just to clarify that, and Les, I'll let you add, can you have more than one principal and/or responsible official based on what Jennifer just said? SWARTZWELDER: Yes, you can have, well, the principal on the application is actually for a sole proprietor. It's the owner of the business, so there would only be one. YAMALIS: OK. SWARTZWELDER: For any other type of entity, it could be however many principals they feel. It's normally, like a corporation, it's normally your four main, I don't know what we'd want to call, YAMALIS: Officers. SWARTZWELDER: Officers, right, that are usually on their partnership. It can be partners that own more than 5 percent interest. It depends on the type of entity, but there can be more than one principal. RO, there can really be as many ROs on there as you want. I think the limit, I think our system actually limits it at 100, but, YAMALIS: Wow. OK. So there definitely can be, when you say RO, that's the responsible official. SWARTZWELDER: Right. YAMALIS: So based on those two questions, there's definitely more than one person that can add a delegated official when that time comes for a corporation or for an organization that's using Transcript Delivery System, right? SWARTZWELDER: Correct. YAMALIS: OK. Les, let me follow up with another question. Where in e-Services do we see our EFIN number or the number of tax returns prepared? Where can I get into e-Services to check that out? SWARTZWELDER: OK. The only place that you can see that is actually on your e-file application on the EFIN status tab. YAMALIS: OK. SWARTZWELDER: If you look on that tab, it'll give you all the returns you filed for the prior, at least two years, depending on how much volume you've had, and it breaks it down by return type. YAMALIS: OK. So on the tab in the, on the e-file application, you can see your e-file number, you can go in there and see the number of tax returns prepared. SWARTZWELDER: Right. You can also see your EFIN or your e-file, your Electronic Filing Identification Number on the summary page too, but to get the details, YAMALIS: OK. SWARTZWELDER: it's on the EFIN status tab. YAMALIS: Very good. Yes. That's very important. I know folks that want to make sure they're not subject to data breach, want to go in there and check that as often as possible, so that's an excellent question. Jennifer, I think we have time for one more question. Let me, let me just throw this out there for you.

What happens if your mobile phone is under someone else's name and not your name? This person cannot use Transcript Delivery System because they switched their phone to be under their son's name to save money. The son got four lines. So now what happens? GEIER: Well, it's great that you had your son, go under your son so you can save money. What you'll need to do is when you do your Secure Access account, you'll want to try to validate the phone number. Sometimes it will go through, especially if you share a last name. Now, if it does not go through, I would request an activation code by mail. What will happen is that activation code will come to your mailing address that you used on your last tax return by our friend the Post Office and it should be there within 5 to 10 days. YAMALIS: Right. And I heard Joe talk about the IRS2Go system as well as another alternative other than the cell phone to get that secure authorization. GEIER: For the part that I think they're talking about, the IRS2Go up would not work, but once they get to the security code portion, they could use a mobile phone, a landline or the IRS2Go app. YAMALIS: Awesome. Awesome. Thanks for that clarification. Audience, I am sorry to say that that's all we have, that's all the time we have right now we have for questions. I definitely want to thank Jennifer Geier as well as Les Swartzwelder and I would be remiss not to thank Veronica Tubman and Joe McCarthy for Sharing their knowledge and expertise today and for answering your questions. Before we close the Q&A session, I'd like to turn it over to Joseph and Veronica to share what key points that they want the attendees to remember from today's webinar. Joe, why don't you take it first and share your key points with us?

MCCARTHY: OK. I'd like to point out to new users of the Transcript Delivery System that although this presentation didn't include any lessons on actually how to use the Transcript Delivery System, e-Services has an excellent online tutorial for using the Transcript Delivery System and you should be able to easily use the system after viewing the tutorial. Now for the key points. The Transcript Delivery System is the preferred method for electronic delivery of transcripts. If your firm qualifies for using the Transcript Delivery System based on the minimum e-filing requirement, then you should review the electronic e-file application to make sure that those in the firm who should have the Transcript Delivery System access do in fact Originator even though you don't plan on preparing any tax returns. In any case, all users will e-filing requirement, you can still gain access by applying to become an Electronic Return have it. If you are a Circular 230 tax practitioner who doesn't qualify based on the minimum need to make sure they have active Secure Access online accounts in order to log in to the Transcript Delivery System. Let me turn it over to Veronica for her key points. TUBMAN: Thanks, Joe. Here are my key points. If you use the Practitioner Priority Services to obtain transcripts for whatever reason and want to receive them electronically, then you must have an active Secure Access online account and be an e-Services user. If you're not an e-Services user, but you're an authorized representative, you can still set up an e-Services secure mailbox for receiving transcripts from the Practitioner Priority Service by registering using the Secure Object Repository link and that's on the IRS.gov screen e-Services landing page. I hope that you find this presentation helpful and that you'll be able to ensure electronic delivery of IRS transcripts. If you encounter any difficulties at all or need further guidance, please contact the help desk at 888-841-4648. Philip, over to you to close us out. YAMALIS: Thanks, Veronica, and thanks, Joe. Awesome presentation. I feel so much comfortable using Transcript Delivery System today and I'm sure our audience does too. Les, Jennifer, thank you for being here as specialty persons on this. Audience, we're planning additional webinars throughout the year. I know this was a great one. To register for any upcoming webinars, please visit IRS.gov and use the keyword search, webinars. Select the "Webinars for Tax Practitioners" or "Webinars for Small Businesses." Again, when appropriate, we'll be offering certificates and CE credit for upcoming webinars. We invite you to visit our Video Portal at www.irsvideos.gov. There, you can view archived versions of our webinars. Continuing education credits or certificates of completion are unfortunately not offered if you view an archived version of any of our webinars on the IRS Video Portal. However, you still will learn a lot. Again, a big thank you to Jennifer, to Les, to Veronica and Joe for a great webinar and for sharing their expertise with us today. I also want to thank you, our attendees, for attending today's webinar, Understanding the e-Services Transcript Delivery System. Now, if you attended today's webinar for at least 50 minutes, that's 5-0, after the official start time at the top of the hour, you will receive a certificate of completion that you can use with your credentialing organization for one possible CPE credit.

Time, unfortunately, that we spent chatting before the webinar actually started does not count towards that 50 minutes. Now, if you're eligible for continuing education from the IRS and you registered using your valid PTIN number, your credit will be posted in your PTIN account. If you're eligible for continuing education from the California Tax Education Council, your credit will be posted to your CTEC account as well. Also, if you registered through the Florida Institute of CPAs, your participation information will be provided directly to them. If you qualify, yet you've not received your certificate and/or credit by September 3rd, please e-mail us at the address that you see on the screen at CL.SL.Web.Conference.Team@IRS.gov. Again, the e-mail address is shown on the slide. If you're interested in finding out who your local Stakeholder Liaison is in your state, you may send us an e-mail using the address shown on the slide and our staff will send that information out to you. We would appreciate it if you would just take a few minutes to complete a short evaluation survey before you exit. If you'd like to have more sessions like this one, please let us know. If you have thoughts on how we can make them better, please let us know that as well in the survey. If you have requests for future webinar topics or some pertinent information you'd like to see, an IRS Fact Sheet or a Tax Tip or a frequently asked question on IRS.gov, then please include your suggestions in the comments section of the survey. Click the, Survey, button on your screen to begin. Remember, if it doesn't come up, please check to make sure that you disabled your pop-up blocker. Ladies and gentlemen, it indeed has been a pleasure to be here with you today. On behalf of the Internal Revenue Service and our speakers, we would like to thank you for attending today's webinar.

It's important for us, for the Internal Revenue Service, to stay connected with the tax professional community, individual taxpayers, industry associations, along with federal, state and local government organizations. You make our job a lot easier by sharing the information that allows for proper tax reporting. Thanks again for your time and attendance and we indeed wish you much success in your business or practice. You may exit the webinar at this time. Thank you and have a great day.