Questions and Answers About

Express Enrollment

for New Businesses

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What is Express Enrollment for New Businesses?

A. Express Enrollment for New Businesses allows business taxpayers with a federal tax obligation 

to begin making their Federal Tax Deposits (FTDs) more quickly and accurately through EFTPS–

Electronic Federal Tax Payment System. When they receive any Employer Identification Number

(EIN) from the IRS, they will be pre-enrolled in EFTPS so they can make all their payments

electronically, online or by the phone.

How does Express Enrollment for New Businesses work?

A. Beginning in January 2004, all businesses issued a new EIN will be pre-enrolled in EFTPS to 

make all their federal tax payments if they will have federal tax obligations. In addition to receiving

their EIN, they will also receive a separate mailing containing instructions for activating their 

EFTPS enrollment.

Who can use Express Enrollment for New Businesses?

A. After January 1, 2004, all businesses requesting a new EIN that also indicate federal tax obligations

and receive the EFTPS enrollment activation mailing (including their PIN), can use Express

Enrollment for New Businesses.

Can businesses still use FTD coupons?

A. The taxpayer will receive from the IRS its EIN, IRS Notice (CP 575) and one coupon. Thereafter

taxpayers will have the option to order FTD coupons from the IRS if they wish to make additional

payments by check, but that will require waiting 5-6 weeks for coupons to arrive by mail.

How does this differ from regular EFTPS?

A. Usually taxpayers enroll in EFTPS by completing a paper enrollment Form 9779, or by going online

(www.eftps.gov) to enter their information. Once the taxpayer’s enrollment information is received

by EFTPS, it takes approximately two weeks to process. Express Enrollment completes the

enrollment step in advance for new businesses with tax obligations. Once taxpayers activate their

EFTPS enrollment, they can then make payments by phone. If they chose to obtain an Internet

Password, they can also make payments online.

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How do taxpayers activate their EFTPS enrollment?

A. Taxpayers receive instructions by mail shortly after receiving their EIN. They are instructed to

follow these steps to activate their EFTPS enrollment:

1. Call the 800-number listed in their EFTPS PIN package. Follow the instructions they hear

from the voice response system.

2. Enter their financial institution information (bank and account number)

3. Choose to have the bank verify that the account number entered is a valid number

NOTE: If taxpayers chose not to have their bank account number verified, they can begin making payments after all

the activation steps have been completed by calling the EFTPS payment number. If they wish to have their account

verified, it will delay making a payment by approximately six business days.

Taxpayers are responsible for the accuracy of the number they entered. If it is incorrect, their financial institution

may return the payment and the taxpayer may incur an IRS penalty for late payment.

4. Authorize withdrawals of electronic payments from their account

5. Enter their phone number

6. Write down the EFTPS confirmation number

7. The voice response system will offer taxpayers the option of obtaining an Internet

Password so they can make payments online

8. Within 7-10 days taxpayers will receive an EFTPS Confirmation/Update package by mail

that contains a Confirmation/Update Form, an EFTPS Payment Instruction Booklet and an

Internet Password Brochure

EFTPS dedicated Customer Service numbers are listed for taxpayers to call with any

questions, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week: 1-800-555-4477 or 1-800-945-8400.

Can taxpayers use the Internet right away to make payments?

A. Yes. Once taxpayers activate their enrollment and obtain an Internet password by phone, they can

make payments immediately (online or by phone) if they chose not to have their bank account

verified. If they chose to have their bank account number verified, they will need to wait an

additional six business days for completion of the verification process.

How will taxpayers know if their payments have been made?

A. For each payment made through EFTPS, the taxpayer receives an immediate acknowledgement

number that can be used to track the payment and communicate with IRS. This acknowledgement

number acts as a receipt for the payment. Taxpayers can go online or call EFTPS Customer Service

to verify payments and review up to 16 months of their payment history.

What if a business taxpayer chooses not to activate their EFTPS enrollment?

A. While the taxpayer has the option not to activate their EFTPS enrollment, EFTPS will periodically

encourage taxpayers, via mail, to consider using EFTPS.

EFTPS is the fast, accurate and secure payment system 

providedfree by the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

Department of the Treasury

Internal Revenue Service

www.irs.gov

Publication 4276 (1-2004)

Catalog Number 37962N

IRS