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August 2025: What AP Needs to Know About E-Filing Updates
September 5, 2025
E-filing used to be something AP teams dealt with once a year. Now, with the IRS retiring the FIRE system after the 2025 filing season and tightening requirements across the board, it’s becoming a year-round priority. New e-file thresholds, stricter data standards, and a completely different platform (hello, IRIS!) are reshaping the filing process — and it’s easy to fall behind.
This month’s Insider covers what’s changing, what it means for AP, and how to stay ahead of the curve. Plus, you won’t want to miss our August Editorial Webinar with Jason Dinesen where he’ll offer expert guidance on the updates and how to respond.
This Month's Quick Take
The IRS plans to shut down the FIRE system after the 2025 filing season. That gives AP teams limited time to prepare for IRIS, its replacement. IRIS brings new XML file formats, updated TCC requirements, and a steeper learning curve. Don’t wait until the last minute – now is the time to evaluate your tech stack and filing partners.
The e-filing threshold has dropped from 250 forms to just 10. If your AP team files 10 or more information returns (like 1099s or W-2s), you must now e-file, a major shift from the previous 250-form threshold. If you’re still relying on paper processes, this change could catch you off-guard.
The “Big Beautiful Bill” introduces stricter requirements for reporting entities, including how you report payments to vendors and foreign payees. Inaccurate or incomplete data can lead to rejected filings or costly penalties. Clean, compliant vendor records are more important than ever.
To help you avoid costly filing mistakes, IOFM’s 1099 & 1042-S Master Guides to Compliance are packed with expert insights and practical guidance. Updated annually to reflect the latest IRS rules and best practices, the 2025 Master Guides will be available in September 2025.
FREE WEBINAR – Staying Compliant: Navigating New E-Filing Rules, FIRE System Updates, and 1099 Changes
Ready or not, big changes are here. Join IOFM and tax pro Jason Dinesen in an On-Demand Webinar for an inside look at IRS e-filing changes. From the FIRE system phase-out to IRIS onboarding, lower e-filing thresholds, and updates tied to the Big Beautiful Bill, this session covers everything AP needs to stay compliant in 2025 and beyond.
IRS Targets December 31, 2026, to Retire the FIRE System
From the moment the IRS introduced IRIS (Information Returns Intake System), it was clear the FIRE system’s days were numbered. What we didn’t know was when. Now, for the first time, the IRS has announced a tentative retirement date: December 31, 2026. Read this article to learn what it means for your year-end process.
MEMBER WEBINAR – 1099-Ks, Zelle, Venmo, and the P2P Confusion: What AP Needs to Know in 2025
With apps like Zelle, Venmo, PayPal, and Cash App blurring the lines between business and personal payments, knowing when to issue a 1099-NEC versus a 1099-K is more challenging than ever. Join IOFM and Jason Dinesen for this Member On-Demand Compliance Webinar to break down IRS rules, clarify reporting requirements, and share practical tools to stay compliant and audit ready.
E-Filing Essentials: Tools & Insights from IOFM
The One Big Beautiful Bill: What It Means for AP and Information Reporting
The One Big Beautiful Bill is now law — and it brings three key changes to information reporting. We first shared these updates when they were still just proposals, but now they’re official. Read this article to see what’s changing and how it may affect you.
E-Filing Corrections: Is Form 1096 Still Needed?
Unsure whether Form 1096 is still required when submitting e-filing corrections? In this Ask the Expert response, our experts explain when — and when not — to file Form 1096, and what AP teams should know to stay compliant with IRS requirements.
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