FIRE Is Out. IRIS Is In. Here’s Why You Don’t Have to Worry.
The IRS is retiring its legacy FIRE (Filing Information Returns Electronically) system and replacing it with IRIS – the Information Returns Intake System. If you file through Aatrix eFile, you’re already covered and don’t need to take any action.
If you’ve seen headlines about the IRS FIRE to IRIS transition and wondered what it means for your year-end filing, you’re in the right place. Let’s walk through what’s changing, what it means for businesses, and why Aatrix customers can file with complete confidence this tax year and every year going forward.
What Is the FIRE-to-IRIS Transition?
The FIRE-to-IRIS transition is the IRS’s move from its aging FIRE portal to IRIS, a modern, API-driven system for submitting information returns electronically. The IRS will fully decommission FIRE by December 31, 2026, after which all information return filings must go through IRIS.
For decades, the IRS used FIRE as the primary portal for businesses to electronically submit information returns – forms like 1099-NEC, 1099-MISC, W-2G, and others. FIRE was functional, but it ran on outdated technology that required filers to navigate a cumbersome, technical process.
IRIS is the IRS’s replacement – a more secure, streamlined system designed to be faster, more reliable, and better suited for the high volumes of filings the IRS processes each year. The deadline is firm: FIRE retires on December 31, 2026.
What Does the IRIS Transition Mean for Businesses?
If you file information returns directly through the IRS FIRE portal on your own, the IRIS transition requires action. Before the December 31, 2026 deadline, you’ll need to:
- Register for and learn the new IRIS system.
- Understand the updated file format and submission requirements.
- Confirm your software or filing process is IRIS-compatible.
If you use third-party filing software or a service that hasn’t yet updated its systems, this is an urgent conversation to have with your provider now – while a full filing season remains.
What You Do NOT Need to Do
If you file your 1099s, W-2Gs, or other information returns directly through your payroll or accounting software using Aatrix eFile, you do not need to take any action.
- No new registrations.
- No new logins.
- No new formats to learn.
- No calls to the IRS.
- No new TCC (Transmitter Control Code)
Your filing experience stays exactly the same.
Why Has Aatrix Been IRIS-Ready Since 2021?
Aatrix was among the first software providers in the country to adopt the IRIS filing format, going live with IRIS support in 2021 – years before the FIRE sunset became a pressing concern for most businesses.
That means Aatrix customers have filed on IRIS-based infrastructure for years without any disruption to their workflow. That same experience continues now that IRIS is becoming the mandatory standard. When the IRS decommissions FIRE on December 31, 2026, Aatrix customers won’t feel a thing.
How Does Aatrix eFile Work?
Your year-end filing happens right inside the software you already use every day.
There’s no separate portal to log into, no manual file uploads, and no need to understand IRS technical specifications. Aatrix handles all of that behind the scenes – including staying current with IRS system changes like the FIRE-to-IRIS transition – so you can focus on running your business instead of managing compliance infrastructure.
The Bottom Line
The FIRE-to-IRIS transition is real, it’s mandatory, and the clock is ticking for anyone who isn’t prepared. Aatrix has been ahead of this change since 2021, and you’ll continue to file with the same simple, reliable experience you’ve always had.
Year-end filing is stressful enough. This isn’t something you need to add to your list.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is IRIS and how is it different from FIRE?
A: IRIS (Information Returns Intake System) is the IRS’s modern replacement for the FIRE portal. It is a more secure, API-driven system for filing information returns electronically, built to be faster and more reliable than the older FIRE infrastructure.
Q: When does the IRS FIRE system shut down?
A: The IRS will fully decommission FIRE by December 31, 2026. After that date, all information return filings — including 1099-NEC, 1099-MISC, and W-2G — must go through IRIS.
Q: Do I need to register for IRIS if I use Aatrix eFile?
A: No. If you file through Aatrix eFile embedded in your payroll or accounting software, you do not need to register for IRIS, learn new formats, or contact the IRS. Aatrix has supported IRIS since 2021.
Q: Which forms are affected by the FIRE-to-IRIS transition?
A: The transition covers information returns filed electronically with the IRS, including 1099-NEC, 1099-MISC, W-2G, and other 1099-series forms. All of these must be filed through IRIS once FIRE retires on December 31, 2026.
