What is a Transmitter Control Code (TCC number) and how do I attain one?
The IRS encourages businesses to file information returns electronically.
Your first step is to attain a Transmitter Control Code or TCC number. A TCC number is a five-character number that typically consists of 2 digits, then 1 letter, then 2 more digits. To get a TCC number assigned to your business, download, fill out and submit Form 4419, Application for Filing Information Returns Electronically (FIRE). There are a few subtle details embedded in Form 4419:
1. Only businesses with a Employer Identification Number (EIN) can apply for a TCC number. Individuals with a SSN number can not apply. In the past, individuals could apply for a TCC number and transmit on behalf of others but that option is no longer allowed.
2. You select on Form 4419 which information returns you want to file electronically. One TCC number will give you authorization to efile any Forms 1097, 1098, 1099, 3921, 3922, 5498 and W-2G. But the TCC number you attain for efiling the 1099 forms will not let you efile 1042-S or Form 8027 or 8955-SSA. You need a separate TCC to efile IRS Form 1042-S, another separate TCC number to efile Form 8027 and another unique TCC number to efile IRS Form 8955-SSA.
Form 4419 must be signed and dated by an official of the company or organization requesting the TCC number. The quickest way to submit Form 4419 is by fax and a toll-free fax number is shown on the form. You can also mail Form 4419 and the mailing address is also shown on the form. But I recommend faxing rather than mailing. I also recommend not mailing AND faxing. Either mail in Form 4419 or fax it, but don’t mail and fax in the hopes of getting a TCC number quicker. If you do both, it will confuse the IRS and there will be delay in getting the TCC number. Or worse, you have two TCC numbers and the IRS will call and ask you why your not using one of the TCC numbers.
When its tax season and the IRS is busy, it usually takes about 7 days to get a TCC number by fax and at least 30 days to attain a TCC number if you mailed in Form 4419.
Once a TCC number is assigned to your business, you can go to the site http://fire.irs.gov and click on Create a New Account.
by 
Erich J. Ruth
Erich J. Ruth provides technical support for National Software which is the parent company for 1099FIRE. 1099FIRE develops and markets a comprehensive range of products that enables any size of business or institution to effectively manage and comply with year-end filing requirements. 1099FIRE is an employee-owned company located in Phoenix, Arizona.
If you have any questions or comments about our software, feel free to contact us at any time.
Tranmittal Control Code
Im not sure what the question is.
I just applied online with the IRS for a Transmitter TIN. How long do you expect it to take. I couldn’t find anything on their website.
It takes up to 45 days to get a TCC number. When its the summer months, clients sometimes
receive the TCC number the same day.
We can always efile on your behalf using our TCC number. We do charge for that service but if
you have your data ready, we can efile.
My organization has a few different companies. Do we need a TCC code for each?
Nope. One TCC can efile for as many different payers and recipients as you like.
You only need a different TCC for different types of forms. All of the 1098, 1099,
3921, 3922, 5498 and W-2G forms can be efiled under one TCC. The 1042-S is filed
using a different TCC. 8955-SSA is also a unique TCC as well as 8027.
I do not have an TCC number but would like to efile a total of 10 1099 MISC forms. Can you assist me with getting this done today?
Yes. Just contact sales at 480-460-9311. We can efile today.
Have used the TCC before we changed our name from Lowcountry Property Management and Sales to Oak Trust Properties. Our EIN is the same. Do we still use our old TCC.
I think you could probably use it this year. It takes the IRS 2 years before they
find discrepancies with a name/EIN and will eventually reject that TCC number. Since
the Government is currently shutdown, I would use the TCC as is and then after this
tax season, apply for a new TCC number.
I tried setting up a FIRE account so I can send the IRS a 1096 form along with 1099-misc forms as I am required to do for my “LLC” business. I went and setup a FIRE account and along with a userid, password, PIN AND a secret phrase. Now I go to the FIRE account to log in and submit the information and you are asking for a TCC number. No where does it say I need to apply for a TCC number. I just want to submit my 1096 & 1099 forms, can you make this anymore difficult ?? I had ordered forms from the IRS in December (2018 1096 and 2018 1099-MISC) and they still haven’t arrived. Now I read it takes a week to get the TCC number and I have to submit these forms by Jan 31st, 2019. Seriously – you ‘ve made this impossible to do
You have options. One is to order an outsourcing service at a site like
https://www.1099fire.com/
They can efile on your behalf using their TCC number. The phone number is
480-460-9311.
$449.95 to e-file one 1099 Misc? Is that correct. It’s cheaper to pay the penalty for filing late.
$449 is the cost to outsourcing where we efile on your behalf with our transmitter control
code or TCC number. Most of our clients have several hundred to several thousand records
that they want us to efile so the $449 outsourcing price is reasonable.
$449 to e-file one 1099-MISC is a lot. There is option: paper file. You can order the forms
for free from the IRS using this link
https://www.1099fire.com/order_forms_free.htm
Its completely free. Our library use to have the forms as well. The
post office might have them. You fill out the form along with the 1096 and
mail it in.
If your in a rush and you need something efiled, we can make a deal and efile on your
behalf for you one-time at no cost. We do this every year in an effort to
make clients happy and build our customer base. Electronic filing takes time, even
for one record, and we have a room full of employees and our focus is on small, medium
and large businesses that need to print, mail and electronically file information
returns securely and quickly.
How much is the fee for your company eFile on my company’s behalf?
For 1098/1099 forms, we charge $449 for outsourcing where we efile
on your behalf. You can read more about this service here
https://www.1099fire.com/services/1099_outsource.htm
Is the TCC a one to one with a business’s TIN number? What if a business has multiple entities with different TIN, does each one need its own TCC number to file electronically?
You only need one TCC number for as many business entities that you have. We operate as
a service bureau which means that we electronically file information returns on behalf of
other companies. We only have one TCC number and that allows us to efile for as many
businesses as we like.
You can track the files that are submitted for that TCC number as well.
The only time you need a different TCC number is when you are filing different information
returns. For example, all of the 1098, 1099, 3921, 3922, 5498 and W-2G forms can be filed
using one TCC number. You need a separate, unique TCC number to efile 1042-S forms. You
need a separate, unique TCC number to efile 8027 forms and 8955-SSA forms.
I hope this helps.
Is there a way to retrieve a TCC Number? We had an employee who files our 1099’s every year, but she retired and we can’t fine where she put the information. How can we find out what our TCC Number is?
If you can find a file that you transmitted last year, the TCC number
is embedded in that file.
We currently have a TCC number but changed ownership and structure (from a C corp to a SMLLC). The SMLLC is owned by a C corp. Our EIN has not changed. Do we just update Form 4419 with our new name, or do we have to get a new TCC number in the name of the owner of the SMLLC or in the name of the SMLLC?
Form 4419 lets you apply for a new TCC. It takes time before the IRS will issue
that TCC number.
If the EIN has not changed, you can still use your TCC. When you efile, the IRS
asks you to confirm your transmitter information. On that screen, you can make as
many changes as you like and change the name of the corporation.
What will happen if someone (from another department) in the same City of “***” apply for a new TCC by mistake? Will it ruin or mess up the current and active TCC that we have been using?
I have a TCC number for my fire account I have updated my password it had expired. do I ever need a new TCC code for fire or just updating my password each year? I will Only be using the same forms as last year.
You dont ever need a new TCC. You use the same TCC number every year.
I work for Cascade West Title Company and am trying to find out what our TCC number is. Just taking over the filing and not sure what the number is. How do I find this info?
You need the TCC, passcode, PIN and secret phrase. The TCC is something the IRS would send to you by mail.
I dont know what it is, but if you can find a fire.txt file from last year, I can show you where to look on
that file for the TCC number. Look on the C: drive, FIRE folder and look for a notepad file.
I do have a transmitter number for e-filing the tax return and now I would like to e-file the Form 1099-NEC for the company. Do I have to apply the TCC or I could use the same transmitter number as e-file Form 1040?
A TCC number for the 1099’s is different from a TCC for 1040’s. One TCC for 1099 forms lets you efile
for any of the 1098, 1099, 3921, 3922, W-2G forms but its not the same TCC that is used for Form 1040.
I filled out the application for a TCC number online for our business. Two responsible officials must “sign” the application. Since I am one of them, I was considered to have automatically “signed”. However, how does the other responsible official sign? They have to create their own account? But that seems like they are submitting a whole other application for the same business?
Two people separately have to create an E-Services account with the IRS. Then one can request a
TCC and the other person, with an E-Services account, can be on the application for the TCC. Every time
you make a change to your TCC application, the other person has to login and approve and confirm
changes.
Nothing bad will happen. One transmitter can apply for multiple TCC numbers. The new application has no effect on
your current existing TCC number.
how will i be notified of my TCC
You get a packet in the mail that welcomes you to electronic filing and talks about
all of the benefits of electronic filing. A letter at the beginning will show the
TCC number.
Today is Jan 10, 2023. As of now, I do not have a TCC? I am worried about the time factor regarding 1099 submittal deadlines. Can 1099 Form B be sent to recipient vendors without a TCC code by the end of January.
It takes about a month to attain a TCC number. It’s definitely a slow process.
We can efile on your behalf. We do charge for that service. Just contact our
main office at 480-706-6474 to get started. We can print and mail Copy B forms
as well.
I was assigned a TCC number this morning but when I go online to “Create a New Account” I continue to receive an error message “Cannot find associated company information”. I’m not sure what to do now. Can you please help me?
How did you receive the TCC number? You can log into the application online and see the name of the
business associated with the TCC number. That information has to match exactly.
We can always efile on your behalf using our TCC number. We do charge for that service but its an
option. Our main office can be reached at (480) 706-6474.