IRS Expands Business Tax Account (BTA) Access
The IRS has expanded its Business Tax Account (BTA), making it available to C corporations and their Designated Officials (DOs). This bilingual, online self-service platform provides businesses with a streamlined way to manage tax obligations digitally. DOs are employees authorized to act on behalf of the corporation, such as Presidents, CEOs, or CFOs. By registering as a DO, these officials gain access to manage tax information, including viewing tax balances, payment history, and transcripts. Additionally, they can make payments, schedule future payments, and handle lender requests for tax transcript authorizations through the Income Verification Express Service (IVES).
Streamlined Income Verification Through IVES
The Income Verification Express Service (IVES) allows lenders to quickly verify taxpayer income records with the necessary authorization, expediting the lending process. Sole proprietors and DOs can now manage these requests online via BTA. Other new features include access to current and past tax return transcripts, entity transcripts, and select IRS notices, some of which are available in Spanish. This enhancement strengthens the BTA’s role in simplifying business tax management and compliance.
Eligibility for BTA and Limitations
Eligible users include sole proprietors with an Employer Identification Number (EIN), individual partners or shareholders with a Schedule K-1 and an SSN/ITIN, and corporate officers like Presidents, CEOs, and CFOs. However, single-member LLCs (SMLLCs) and certain other entities, including tax-exempt organizations, cannot yet access the platform. These groups are expected to be included in future updates as the IRS continues to expand BTA’s capabilities.
How to Register as a Designated Official
To register as a DO, users must gather their corporation’s EIN, recent federal tax returns, and business mailing address. After logging into the corporation’s BTA, they must request a unique PIN, which is mailed to the business address within 5–10 business days. DOs are required to re-validate annually to maintain access. To ensure uninterrupted access, corporations are encouraged to designate multiple DOs.
Future Enhancements to BTA
The IRS is committed to transforming the BTA into a robust platform for business tax management. Future updates will expand access to more entities and include features such as powers of attorney authorization, additional compliance tools, and more advanced digital services. This expansion is part of the IRS's broader initiative to enhance taxpayer experiences and modernize its services.
For further information, please contact an Axley & Rode advisor or visit the IRS website: https://shorturl.at/KQk1D
