IRS Efiling Needs Help

All Transmitters, including Drake, have been asked by the IRS to switch from MeF to Legacy.    They identified some issues on their end that have been delaying processing and refunds.  I am attaching their "Talking Points" and a copy of what they say will be a Quick Alert here:

Talking Points from IRS

Some taxpayers who filed electronically and received an acknowledgement from the IRS are concerned when they visit "Where’s My Refund" and are told that IRS has no information regarding their tax return. The IRS informed us on February 10 that this is a temporary situation and should be resolved in several days.  At that time, you will be able to get an expected refund date when you visit "Where's My Refund." 

This is an IRS issue and impacts returns regardless of who sends them in to the IRS. This is not a Drake issue.

If you have received an acknowledgement of your tax return from the IRS, then the IRS assures us they have received your return and are processing it.

Information on the status of your refund will be updated in "Where’s My Refund" once your return processes. This is a temporary situation, and we expect to resolve the matter in a few days.

IRS expects the vast majority of tax refunds to continue to be issued within the historical range of 10 to 21 days.

Text of IRS Quick Alert:

We asked for your help to fully test and run high volumes of tax returns through Modernized e-File (MeF) in 2012.

Thank you for your cooperation. We have successfully taken in more volume through MeF this year than all year in 2011. MeF is working properly, but we have discovered some issues with linkages to downstream processing systems that have primarily affected returns filed between February 6 and 10, 2012. Those issues, we believe, have been resolved.

However, as a temporary measure to ensure future processing runs smoothly, and to provide adequate time to complete processing of the affected returns, we have temporarily lifted all restrictions on the Legacy system. We encourage you to use Legacy until further notice.

Be assured all systems used for processing returns are operational and are accepting returns. CADE2 and MeF are operating correctly.

Again, we encourage you to use the Legacy e-file system until further notice.  We will continue to provide updates through Quick Alerts and other partner channels.  We appreciate your patience and understanding.

END OF MESSAGE FROM IRS