Any filer of Information Returns may file their returns electronically.  However, any person, including corporations, partnerships, employers, estates and trusts, who files 250 or more Forms 1042-S, 1098, 1099, 5498, 8027, or W-2G for any calendar year must file their Information Returns electronically.

IRS/ECC-MTB no longer accepts any type of magnetic media for filing information returns. Electronic filing is the ONLY acceptable method to file information returns at ECC-MTB.

The 250-or-more requirement applies separately to each type of form.  For example, if you file 500 Forms 1098 and 100 Forms 1099-A, you must file Forms 1098 electronically, but you are not required to file Forms 1099-A electronically. The electronic requirement does not apply if you request and receive a hardship waiver.

The filing requirements apply separately to original returns and corrected returns.  Originals and corrections are not aggregated to determine whether you are required to file electronically.

Example:  If you file 400 Forms 1098 electronically and you are making 75 corrections, your corrections can be filed on paper because the number of corrections for Form 1098 is less than the 250 filing requirement.  However, if you were filing 250 or more Form 1098 corrections, they would have to be filed electronically.

The IRS encourages you to file electronically even if you are filing fewer than 250 returns.