The Filing Information Returns Electronically (FIRE) System is designed exclusively for the electronic filing of the following information returns: Forms 1042–S, 1098, 1099, 5498, 8027, and W-2G. FIRE is accessible at http://fire.irs.gov. Benefits of electronically filing information returns include: cost-effectiveness, easier than paper or magnetic media filing; and a later due date for filing most information returns. Please note that the Internal Revenue Service, Enterprise Computing Center at Martinsburg (IRS/ECC-MTB) no longer accepts tape cartridges for the filing of information returns; electronic filing is the ONLY acceptable method to file information returns at IRS/ECC-MTB. The electronic filing of information returns is not associated with the Form 1040 electronic filing program.
If you are sending files larger than 10,000 records electronically, data compression is encouraged. WinZip or PKZIP are the only acceptable compression packages. The FIRE System is operational 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Please note that the FIRE System will be down from 2 p.m. EST December 22, 2008, through January 4, 2009 to allow IRS/ECC-MTB to update its system to reflect current year changes.
After you file your returns via the FIRE System, the result of the electronic transmission will be e-mailed to you if you provide an accurate e-mail address on the "Verify Your Filing Information" screen. The file status e-mail will include the IRS assigned filename, date received, count of payees, and file status for Forms 1042–S, 1098, 1099, 5498, 8027, and W-2G. If the e-mail indicates that your file is bad, you must log into the FIRE System and go to the "Check File Status" option to review the results of your file and timely resubmit the file as a replacement file. If the file is good, it is automatically released for mainline processing 10 calendar days from receipt.
For further information, refer to Publications 1187, 1220, 1239 and 3609. You can also contact the Electronic Product and Services Support, Information Reporting Branch, Customer Service Section, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, by calling toll-free at 866–455–7438, sending an e-mail addressed to mccirp@irs.gov or by using Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at 304–267–3367.
IRS forms and publications related to electronic filing may be ordered by calling toll-free at 800–829–3676 or downloaded from the IRS website at www.irs.gov.
Page Last Reviewed or Updated: March 19, 2009