Advanced Reporting Agent

 

   

Who is an Advanced Reporting Agent?

An Advanced Reporting Agent is one who files payroll returns by using our Tab Delimited, or Excel import formats to generate their returns.   This can be accomplished by generating their own data, or using one of our payroll software partners as detailed on our partner web page.  These payroll companies will generate one of our import formats automatically within their software process.  As their customer, you can take data formatted for 941Express from their product and process it in a single step to the IRS.  It is also possible to import the data into 941Express, modify it and send it to the IRS with adjustments.  This option requires an advanced reporting agent license for 941Express and the number of returns you can file is unlimited.  An Advanced Reporting Agent typically will file their returns directly with the IRS, but it is possible to operate in an indirect mode if desired.  An Indirect customer will pay a per-return fee for Lewis Software processing.  Contact our office for more details on this approach. 

 

941Express Import Templates for Calendar Year 2012

The below listing shows the latest versions of the 941Express Import Templates which will be supported by the 2012 version of our product.  Keep in mind that you cannot file returns after 1/1/2012 without supporting this version of the templates.

 Return Type Format Type Sample File
 941 Excel Format 2010 Excel File
 941 Tab Delimited Tab File 
 940 Excel Format 2010 Excel File
 940 Tab Delimited Tab File
 944 Excel Format 2010 Excel File
 944 Tab Delimited Tab File

 

 

The process for filing returns as an Direct Reporting Agent

    1. In order to file returns as a Standard Reporting Agent, you must have your EFIN (Electronic Filer Identification Number), your Reporting Agent PIN, your ETIN (Electronic Transmitter Identification Number), your EMS Login ID and EMS Password. These five items are all obtained from the IRS by completing either the 8633 form, or by submitting your signed 8655's. Once you have these numbers, you are ready to test with the IRS.
    2. Download and Install the 941Express software product to your Windows machine.
    3. Purchase your Standard Reporting Agent License by clicking on the Help, Register Software and Register Online menu option or go to the Lewis Software Online store.
    4. Once you have the software activated activated, Open the software and click on the Agent, Agent Information Screen. This must be completed with all of your business information including EFIN and Reporting Agent PIN.
    5. Select Test Mode on the Agent Menu and complete the process for testing with the IRS.
    6. Once Testing is complete, you can begin to import data.  Use the procedures provided by your software company, or develop your own 941Express template with actual tax data in it.
    7. Import the file using the apppropriate option on the 941Express menu.  To Import and transmit to Lewis Software, use the Indirect menu.  To Import data that will be directly sent to the IRS, use the Agent menu and choose either Excel, or the Tab delimited menu options.
    8. Once you have successfully imported the data, you can transmit it directly to the IRS, or review the content in 941Express. 
    9. The option for indirect filing can also choose not to send the data to Lewis Software if you would like to review it in the software first. 

     

    Advanced Reporting Agent Requirements 
  1. You will pay a License Fee of $995 per year.
  2. You can create returns can be created in 941Express or imported using our tab delimited or Excel file formats.
  3. All returns are filed directly with the IRS for no additional cost.
  4. This license provides unlimited filing for one calendar year.
  5. Requires EFIN, ETIN, Reporting Agent PIN, EMS Login ID and EMS Password.

 

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