Prepare Now for the IRS’s New IRIS Filing System

The IRS’s FIRE system is being phased out after tax year 2026, replaced by the new IRIS (Information Returns Intake System) — bringing stricter formatting requirements and higher scrutiny for information returns.

What’s changing:

Information returns must be filed as structured XML files through the IRIS web portal.
Names must be split into separate first, middle, and last name fields (no more single “full name” strings).
A dedicated field now identifies TIN type (SSN or EIN).
Real-time TIN/Name validation replaces delayed CP2100/CP2100A notices.
Filed returns are automatically tracked and stored, with downloadable copies for recipients.

Why it matters for your business:

Higher risk of file rejections and late-filing penalties if errors aren’t caught before the deadline.
Legacy ASCII-formatted (FIRE) data often triggers errors under the new XML schema, requiring database and software updates.
Increased IRS monitoring means more frequent penalty notices and correction requests for unresolved discrepancies.

How SPSGZ helps:

Converts your existing data into IRS-compliant XML files, automatically formatted for IRIS.
Detects and corrects invalid or incomplete information before you file.
Includes intelligent name-parsing technology to split full names into IRIS-required fields.
Classifies recipients as individuals or entities to ensure accurate TIN handling, even in ambiguous contractor cases.
Responds to and resolves post-submission error notices on your behalf, saving you the time and resources it takes to address them yourself.