What is Electronic Filing (e-File)?
e-Filing is the direct transmission of your tax return data from our computer to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and State agency computers. This results in a big labor savings for our governments and also assures much more accurate recording of your data. As you can expect, both the IRS and the States are determined to have all tax returns filed this way.
How does it work?
When we have completed your U.S. tax return and have determined that it is ready to file electronically, we will send a copy to you to review. We will also send you Form 8879 which you must sign and return to us after you review your tax return. When we receive your signed Form 8879, we will transmit your return to the IRS and State agencies. This means that you will not have to mail your tax return this year.
Are all taxpayers allowed to e-File?
No, there are several situations that prevent a taxpayer from e-Filing, such as, but not limited to:
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Married taxpayers filing separately from a non-resident alien spouse must file on paper if the spouse does not have an US taxpayer ID number.
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Taxpayers that have income from foreign pension plans cannot e-File, although hopefully the IRS will allow this in the near future.
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Not all tax forms are accepted by IRS e-File so tax returns containing these forms must be filed on paper.
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Many states do not allow e-Filing for returns with a tax preparer address outside the US.
What if I owe money?
We will send you a payment voucher with your copy of each tax return. If you owe money to the IRS or State agency you have several options:
Withdrawal from your US bank account:
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Federal taxes: To pay your taxes by automatic withdrawal from your US bank account, you must enroll in the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System at www.eftps.com.
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State taxes: To pay this way you must first determine if this method is allowed by the State by researching the State’s Tax/Revenue website. The websites can be found at www.taxadmin.org/fta/link/. Follow the instructions for each State.
By credit card:
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You can pay your Federal and State taxes by credit card, however there is a service charge from the companies that handle the transaction: www.officialpayments.com.
By check:
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If you want to send a check to cover the amount owed, just mail your check with the payment voucher to the address on the voucher. For a fee, large Swiss banks such as UBS and Credit Suisse will issue a USD check drawn on your Swiss account.
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When can I expect my refund, if I am getting one?
If you authorize deposit of your refund directly into your U.S. bank account, your refund should be deposited within 7-10 business days after we receive your Form 8879. If you want a paper check or you do not have a U.S. bank account, the refund will take several weeks longer. (These are approximate time intervals.)
How much will this convenience cost me?
There is no additional charge for this service. You will actually save the postage costs of mailing your return.
Must I e-File my U.S. tax return?
No, in the questionnaire, please indicate you prefer not to e-File and sign the related statement.
