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ERO/Practitioner PIN: This PIN is entered on the Main Info sheet of Sure-Fire. When you use the PINs, you do not have to mail in the 8453 forms. The practitioner enters a PIN for the taxpayer and/or spouse. There is a check box under the taxpayer and spouse PIN for the tax preparer to indicate they were given permission to enter these PINs. Otherwise, the tax preparer actually turns around the keyboard and lets the taxpayer and spouse enter their own numbers. If the taxpayer and spouse enter their own PINs, there is no PIN form to print out and sign-- it is truly paperless. If the preparer enters the numbers into the computer, then the PIN form must be printed and signed by all parties and retained on file per IRS rules.

 

Third-Party Designee PIN: This PIN is also entered on the Main Info sheet of Sure-Fire. The taxpayer is authorizing the preparer to talk to the IRS about their return. For the designee, you should enter the word "preparer" rather than your actual name in that box. This PIN expires when the return is processed, according to the IRS. You should remember this PIN for any communication with the IRS.

 

Preparer Tax ID Number (PTIN): This number is issued to the preparer by the IRS so you won't have to print out your personal SSN on all the returns you prepare. You will complete the PTIN application on the IRS website. This PTIN is assigned to a specific person, not a company. You fill out the preparer's information on the bottom of the Main Info sheet in Sure-Fire, including your PTIN.

Self-Select PIN: This PIN provides the same service as the ERO/Practitioner PIN described above. You must know either the prior year PIN or prior year AGI. The return will be rejected if this information is incorrect. This information is not needed when using the ERO/Practitioner PIN. We encourage you to use the ERO/Practitioner PIN instead of the Self-Select PIN for that reason.