irc162 wrote: The preparer's PIN prints out in the Third Party Designee section of the return (there is a box for this) This PIN number is self selected by the preparer and Drake allows you to change this at will. [...] I think the E Servics PIN and the E file PIN are apples and oranges.
No, the "preparer's PIN" does
not print out in the Third Party Designee (TPD) section. The TPD PIN prints out in the TPD section (note that a TPD does not need to be, but can be, a paid preparer).
There is no such thing as a "preparer's PIN". Paid preparers have a PTIN, which is the
only ID number they are required to enter into the return itself.
Note before you start scratching your head: a paid preparer, an ERO, and a TPD are three separate, independent roles that can be, but do not have to be, the same person. Any combination of these three things can be involved with a tax return, including none of them. If you can't get past this part, you'll never get it.
pnwcommtax wrote:This is what I get from the same section I've described under e-services. If the e-services PIN differs from the PIN required to sign an e-file, why does it state this on the IRS e-services site when going under modify pin?
e-services PIN
e-services requires each user to have a Personal Identification Number (PIN) to be used to sign your e-file, TIN Matching, IVES and ACA applications.
Please try reading what you just quoted. It contains the answer to your "why" question. The e-services PIN is used as part of login security at e-services, so that when you sign an efile
application (not a return), they can have some confidence it's really you. Once you are an approved ERO with your own EFIN, you may possibly never need to log in to e-services ever again (although you are required to update your business address or change in ownership of your firm).
Note that your eservices login PIN should be kept secret, as it is a type of password. Using this PIN anywhere on a tax return would be a huge mistake, as it would potentially compromise the security of your eservices account.
Maybe your confusion comes from the PIN used by an ERO to certify and authenticate the Practitioner PIN method (only) signature for the ERO (Form 8879). This is an arbitrary 5-digit PIN, just like the taxpayer's self-select or Practitioner PIN, and is not linked
in any way to anything at the IRS e-services login site. If you have bothered to consult Pub 1345 as I recommended, you would have found this:
"EROs must also sign with a PIN. EROs should use the same PINs for the entire tax year [but are not required to].
The ERO may manually input or the software can generate the PIN in the electronic record in the location designated for the ERO Electronic Filing Identification Number (EFIN)/PIN. The ERO is attesting to the ERO Declaration by entering a PIN in the ERO EFIN/PIN field."It's true that some professional software will allow the paid preparer to enter in one place a five digit PIN that is automatically used for both the TPD and ERO/Practitioner PIN method signature, but that has nothing at all to do with what is actually required and what role it actually plays.
Finally, if it's still not clear, any PIN you enter and maintain at the e-services login site has
nothing whatsoever to do with you preparing and efiling a specific taxpayer's return.