One of the major tools I use is the IRS’s e-Services system; the component I use the most is the Transcript Delivery System (TDS). Last weekend, the IRS did a major “upgrade” of the system. I have to put upgrade in quotes because it’s been a downgrade for me and many other users. The system does not recognize that I have authority (a Power of Attorney or a Tax Information Authorization) on file.
The problem appears to be that the IRS must also migrate their Centralized Authorization File (CAF) database. This database is how the IRS keeps track of which returns (names, social security numbers, and tax years) tax professionals are authorized for. Unfortunately, the migration of this database hasn’t gone smoothly.
Until this is resolved tax professionals will need to call the IRS’s Practitioner Priority Service and request the IRS fax over any transcripts that are needed. I just had to do this and was on hold for only 11 minutes so it could be much worse.