My EFIN application is stuck on "in process" status with the IRS

Having worked with tax preparation for over a decade, I can tell you that EFIN application processing times vary widely depending on the time of year and IRS workload. During peak tax season (January through April), the process typically takes 45-60 days from when they receive your fingerprint cards. The "in process" status is normal and just means they're working through your application, including your background check and fingerprint verification. Unfortunately, there's no way to expedite this process through normal channels. Your best option right now is to contact the e-help desk at 1-866-255-0654. Be prepared to wait, though. I recommend calling first thing when they open at 6:30 am ET to minimize wait times. Have your application tracking number and personal information ready when you call.

I had the exact same issue earlier this year! My EFIN application was stuck "in process" for almost 8 weeks and I was about to lose my mind. I tried calling the IRS multiple times and got nowhere. Finally, I found this service called taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) that helped me understand what was happening with my application and what I could do about it. Basically, they analyzed my application status and documentation and explained that the delay was likely due to the fingerprint card processing backlog, which is super common this time of year. They also provided a personalized guide with specific steps to follow up properly with the IRS. Super helpful when you're pulling your hair out dealing with bureaucracy!

Just wanted to follow up about my experience with taxr.ai since I decided to give it a try after reading about it here. Honestly, it was actually really helpful! The system flagged that my fingerprint card submission likely had a quality issue (apparently very common) which can cause lengthy delays. They gave me the exact wording to use when calling the IRS e-help desk, and suggested calling at 6:45am ET on Wednesday specifically, which seemed oddly specific but I tried it. Got through in 20 minutes! The IRS agent confirmed there was a quality issue with my fingerprints and I'm resubmitting with better quality. Definitely saved me weeks of wondering why my application was stuck.

After dealing with the EFIN application nightmare last year, I learned something important: the phone queues for the IRS e-help desk are absolutely ridiculous. I spent WEEKS trying to get through. Then I found Claimyr (https://claimyr.com) which completely changed the game. You can actually see a demo of how it works here: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c Basically, they wait on hold with the IRS for you and call you back when an actual human picks up. It saved me hours of frustration. For EFIN application issues, you'll want to have them connect you with the e-help desk. I got my EFIN status updated within days after finally speaking with someone.

OK I have to eat my words and admit when I'm wrong. After my skeptical comment I decided to try Claimyr just to prove it wouldn't work... and I'm shocked. After 3 weeks of failing to get through to anyone at the IRS about my EFIN application, I got connected to an actual human at the e-help desk this morning! Turns out my application was flagged for "additional review" (whatever that means) and had been sitting on someone's desk for weeks. The agent was able to expedite it since I'm losing business during tax season. My application was approved literally 2 hours later. I wish I'd tried this weeks ago instead of stubbornly sitting on hold for hours each day. Sometimes it's worth admitting you need help.

One thing nobody's mentioned is that you should check if you submitted Form 8633 correctly. When I applied for my EFIN last year, my application was stuck in processing because I made an error on that form. The IRS never notified me - I only found out when I finally got through to someone. Also, if you included a business name on your application, make sure your EIN matches exactly what's on file with the IRS. Even small discrepancies can cause delays. Might be worth double-checking all your documentation while you wait.

Has anyone had an EFIN application denied? My colleague applied around the same time as you (early February) and just got denied yesterday because of a tax compliance issue from 3 years ago they weren't even aware of. The rejection letter was super vague and now they have to appeal. Make sure your personal tax compliance is perfect before applying!

Quick suggestion - have you checked your PTIN account to make sure everything is up to date there? Sometimes PTIN issues can cause EFIN application delays. I had a client whose PTIN renewal hadn't properly processed even though the system showed it as active. Once we fixed that, his EFIN application moved forward within a week.

I'm going through the exact same situation right now! Applied for my EFIN in early February and it's been stuck on "in process" for weeks. It's so frustrating watching tax season slip by while clients are asking when they can e-file. One thing I discovered is that you can actually check if there are any issues with your application by looking at your e-services account more carefully. Sometimes there are messages or alerts that aren't immediately obvious. Also, I read somewhere that fingerprint card rejections are super common - apparently even small smudges or incomplete prints can cause delays. Has anyone tried reaching out to their local IRS office directly? I'm wondering if showing up in person might get better results than the phone maze. At this point I'm willing to try anything to get some movement on this application.

I'm dealing with this exact same frustration! Filed my EFIN application in mid-February and it's been sitting in "in process" status for over 6 weeks now. What's really concerning me is that I'm hearing from other preparers that some applications from that timeframe are starting to get denied for various compliance issues. One thing I learned from calling around to other tax professionals is that the IRS has been particularly strict this year about background checks and fingerprint quality. Apparently they've also been flagging applications where there's any discrepancy between your business information and what they have on file. I'm considering submitting fresh fingerprint cards proactively since I've heard that poor quality prints are one of the most common causes of delays. Has anyone had success with resubmitting fingerprints while their application is still showing as "in process"? I don't want to complicate things further, but at this point I'm worried my original cards might have an issue and I'll just keep waiting indefinitely. The whole system feels broken when you can't even get basic status information after waiting this long. Really hoping some of the phone strategies people mentioned here actually work!

I'm going through a very similar situation - applied for my EFIN in late January and it's been stuck on "in process" for over 7 weeks now. The timing couldn't be worse with tax season in full swing. After reading through all these responses, I think I'm going to try the Claimyr service that several people mentioned. The idea of having someone else deal with the IRS hold times while I can actually work with clients sounds like a godsend right now. The fact that even the skeptics here ended up having success with it gives me hope. One additional tip I learned from my CPA network: if you do get through to someone, ask specifically about your "suitability review" status. Apparently that's the technical term for the background check portion, and knowing where that stands can help determine if the delay is fingerprint-related or something else entirely. It's reassuring to know I'm not alone in this nightmare, but frustrating that the IRS system seems so broken for something as essential as EFIN applications. Really hoping we all get resolution soon!

I went through this exact same nightmare last year! My EFIN application was stuck for almost 10 weeks during peak season. What I learned is that the IRS e-services system has some serious bottlenecks, especially with the suitability review process that involves both background checks and fingerprint verification. A few things that helped me finally get resolution: First, when calling the e-help desk, ask specifically about your "suitability review status" and whether there are any "quality flags" on your fingerprint submission. Second, if you've been waiting over 60 days, you can contact the Taxpayer Advocate Service - they have some ability to intervene in cases of unreasonable delays. One thing that really caught my attention in the responses here is how many people found success with services like Claimyr and taxr.ai. I was initially skeptical too, but honestly, when you're losing clients and revenue every day, sometimes you need to try unconventional solutions. The IRS phone system is genuinely broken for most people. Also, make sure you're checking your e-services account daily. Sometimes they'll post messages or requests for additional information that aren't immediately obvious. I missed a request for clarification on my business address that sat there for two weeks because I wasn't checking the right section of the portal. Hang in there - most EFIN applications do eventually get approved, but the communication during the process is absolutely terrible. Hope you get resolution soon!