News

The IRS Wage & Investment Division recently sent out a notice addressing the Centralized Authorization File (CAF) inventory and increased processing times. According to the notice, duplicate authorization forms are bottlenecking the agency’s CAF process. The statement reads:

“Please know we are working hard to reduce the Centralized Authorization File (CAF) inventory. We understand your need to have timely processing of authorization forms, and we apologize for the current delays.

However, one of the most common issues, which is leading to even longer processing times, is the filing of duplicate authorization forms. We need your help.

We’ve been working to streamline and improve operations. We now have a universal queue for all submissions so that our staff can more efficiently process first-in, first-out forms. This means that duplicate mailing, duplicate uploading or faxing the same authorization form to more than one CAF unit results in additional work and significantly increases the processing times as personnel identify and remove the duplicates. 

Also, please consider Submitting Forms 2848 and 8821 Online. This process has been shown to save time by getting into the universal queue faster than faxing or mailing.

But please submit a taxpayer’s authorization only once. Duplicate online submissions create the same issues as faxing the same form multiple times.”

The MICPA encourages its members to remain patient as the IRS continues to work through its backlog.