HowardSoft
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P.O. Box 8432
La Jolla, CA 92038-8432
phone: (858) 454-0121
e-mail: support@howardsoft.com
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e-file: You must register first!

e-file available. e-file transmission software is available at an additional cost for all Standard Level and Premium Level CD-ROMs for Tax Preparer (1040) and California Supplement (540). It allows you to e-file an unlimited number of returns for a nominal per-return transmission fee. However, you won't be able to use it until you register with HowardSoft.

Don't have an EFIN?

Before you can use our e-file software you must have an EFIN (Electronic Filing Identification Number (EFIN), which you can only get from the IRS. An IRS-issued EFIN indicates that your are approved for participation in the IRS e-file program. Approval is now quite involved and must be performed on-line at the IRS website for e-file applications. (Note that you do not have to reapply each year as long as your EFIN is in good standing with the IRS. The same EFIN is valid for your California Form 540 returns.)

Ready to register? You can register on-line with our secure secure e-file Registration Form. If you prefer to mail or fax the form to us, you can access the same form to print, or do it all over the phone at 1-858-454-0121.

... or read on for more details. Registration is required for each new filing season. It helps you give us the information required to activate your transmission software:

  • Provide contact information, plus your EFIN and SSN. The SSN must match IRS records for your EFIN. You can register with us without the EFIN, but you must have it before your first transmission.
  • Specify how you will pay for any applicable transmission fees. Transmission fees depend on the level of e-file transmission software you purchase. The fees for the 2014 filing season are $9.95 per return for e-file Basic, $6.00 per return for e-file Silver, $4.00 per return for e-file Gold, and NO per return fee for e-file Platinum. (The same transmission fees apply to e-file for California Form 540 returns.)

Once your registration is complete and you receive the e-file transmission software you purchase, you will be given the code and password necessary to activate the software.