Q. Why is IRS offering electronic filing of Form 8849, Claim for Refund of Excise Taxes?
A. Offering electronic filing of Form 8849 will satisfy Congressional mandate to provide filers an electronic option for filing Form 8849, Schedule 3. Schedule 6 is also available for electronic filing.

Q. Who may file Excise forms electronically?
A. Any taxpayer who pays the provider’s required service fee for online submission will be able to electronically transmit Form 8849.

Q.  How do I choose a transmitter to e-file 8849 returns?
A.  IRS has posted the contact information of all approved e-file transmitters.  You will need to select one to your liking.  IRS does not endorse any one provider and cannot make recommendations.  All listed providers are approved to submit returns to the IRS electronically. 

Q. When can I e-file Form 8849?
A. IRS is currently accepting electronically-filed Form 8849, Schedules 3 & 6. 

Q.  Where and how do I access the electronic 8849 tax forms?
A. Taxpayers will be required to submit their electronic Excise Tax forms through an approved transmitter/software developer. 

Q.  Will it cost anything to file Excise Tax forms?
A.  Yes.  To electronically file Excise forms, taxpayers will incur the cost of the provider’s required service fee for online submission.

Q.  Can all Excise Tax forms be filed electronically?
 A.  No.  At this point, the only Excise forms available for electronic filing are Form 2290, Heavy Highway Vehicle Use Tax; Form 720, Quarterly Federal Excise Tax; and Form 8849, Claim for Refund of Excise Taxes (Schedules 3 & 6).

Q.  Will IRS continue to accept paper forms once electronic forms are available?
A.  Yes, IRS will continue to accept paper Forms 8849.  Electronic filing of the Form 8849 is optional.

Q.  How will Form 8849 e-file improve results?
A. Electronically filed Form 8849, Schedule 3 refunds will be processed within 20 days of acceptance by the IRS. All other 8849 schedules are processed within 45 days of acceptance.

Q.  Will refunds be sent electronically?
A.  Currently, Excise refunds are manually processed and distributed in the form of paper checks.  IRS is working to make an electronic refund option available.