IRS IRIS Taxpayer Portal vs TaxBandits
IRS IRIS Taxpayer Portal
irs.gov
TaxBandits
taxbandits.comSide by side
| Figure | IRS IRIS Taxpayer Portal | TaxBandits |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | $16.58/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | — | Yes |
| Android | — | Yes |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 11 |
| Spec score · 1099 Filing Software | 8.3 (#7) | 8.9 (#2) |
| Spec score · Tax Information Reporting Software | 8.2 (#7) | 8.7 (#2) |
| Support | IRIS help-desk service is listed Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern, with toll-free and international numbers. | Support is offered through phone, email, 24/7 live chat, FAQs, videos and BanditAI; an API-specific developer email is provided. |
| What it does | IRIS is an IRS system for electronically filing information returns through a web portal or an application-to-application channel. | TaxBandits is an IRS-authorized online service for collecting tax data and electronically filing forms such as 1099, W-2, 94x, ACA 1095, W-9 and BOIR. |
Plans
TaxBandits
- Basic$19 a month
- Plus$29 a month
- CoreFree
- 1099/W-2 federal filing$2.75, paid once
- Basic Payroll$19 a month
- Payroll Basic$19 a month
- Payroll Plus$29 a month
- Plus Payroll$29 a month
- Advanced$199 a year
- Elite$399 a year
In their own words
IRS IRIS Taxpayer Portal
The IRS IRIS Taxpayer Portal is a free web service for filing information returns through the portal or Application to Application (A2A). Portal users can enter data manually or upload CSV files, manage issuer information, keep filing records, download payee copies, submit corrections, and request automatic extensions. Portal access requires an IRIS Transmitter Control Code, a five-digit code used only for IRIS. A2A is an option for filers using third-party or their own software; it can submit thousands of returns, with uploads up to 100 MB at a time. Setting it up requires an A2A TCC, API Client ID, schema package, and successful Assurance Testing System transmissions. CSV formatting guidance and templates are available in the portal. IRIS accepts information returns for tax year 2022 and later. Starting with tax year 2023, filers with 10 or more information returns must file electronically; Forms W-2 are filed with the Social Security Administration. PDF downloads may take up to 10 minutes to appear in portal notifications, and company firewalls may block external downloads.
TaxBandits
TaxBandits provides electronic filing for payroll and employment forms, including 1099, W-2, 94x, ACA 1095, W-9 and BOI reports. It is aimed at business owners, tax professionals and service providers, and supports federal and state tax filing. Users can upload form data in bulk with CSV templates or provide completed W-9 PDFs for AI extraction of recipient information. Validation includes IRS business-rule and schema checks, TIN matching and USPS address validation. Listed integrations include Sage Intacct, Karbon, QuickBooks, Xero, Zoho Books, FreshBooks, Zapier and an API. The API supports filing workflows for W-9, 1099, W-2 and TIN matching. TaxBandits says it is SOC 2 certified and encrypts stored and transmitted client data; accounts can enable authenticator-app two-factor authentication. Its Companion app for iOS and Android supports W-9/W-8 management, with unlimited collection free to use. Payroll plans start at $19 a month, with a 30-day trial listed. Annual W-2 and 1099 filings are excluded from payroll plans and cost extra; separate federal 1099 and W-2 filing is priced by volume, starting at $2.75 per form for the first 10 forms.