At a Glance
The IRS FIRE system stops accepting submissions November 19, 2026, at 3 p.m. ET, but that doesn't mean you need to rewrite your systems. BoomTax accepts your existing FIRE-format (Publication 1220) files, converts them to IRIS XML, and files through IRIS automatically. No code changes. No new file formats. No ERP rewrites. Your process stays exactly the same.
This article is part of our IRS IRIS Resource Center
— your complete guide to the FIRE→IRIS migration.
Your Process Doesn't Change. FIRE Format In, IRIS Filing Out.
The FIRE system is ending on November 19, 2026, at 3 p.m. ET. For organizations that have built systems, integrations, and workflows around FIRE's Publication 1220 format over the past 25+ years, this announcement raises an urgent question: how much do we need to change?
With BoomTax, the answer is: nothing.
BoomTax accepts your existing FIRE-format files — the same fixed-width text files you've been generating from your ERP, payroll system, or custom software for years. We parse them, convert the data to IRIS-compliant XML, validate against IRS schemas, and transmit through IRIS on your behalf. You upload the same file you always have. We handle everything that changed.
1. Upload Your FIRE Files
Upload the same Publication 1220 fixed-width files your systems already produce. No format changes needed.
2. We Convert to IRIS XML
BoomTax automatically parses your FIRE data, maps it to IRIS XML schemas, and validates every record.
3. Filed Through IRIS
BoomTax submits to IRIS, tracks acceptance, and handles corrections. You get status updates and acknowledgments.
Why This Matters for Enterprise Teams
For organizations with established FIRE workflows, the IRIS transition isn't a simple software update. It can mean:
| Challenge | Without BoomTax | With BoomTax |
|---|---|---|
| File format change | Rewrite FIRE file generators to produce IRIS XML | Keep generating the same FIRE-format files |
| ERP integration | Rebuild PeopleSoft/Oracle/SAP export modules | No changes to ERP configuration |
| Custom software | Learn IRIS XML schemas, rewrite output layer | No code changes needed |
| TCC management | Apply for new IRIS TCC (typical processing within 45 business days) | BoomTax handles TCC and authorization |
| Testing | Build IRIS test harness, validate XML output | Upload and review — BoomTax validates |
| Timeline | Months of development and testing | Same day — upload and go |
For enterprise IT teams managing complex integrations, BoomTax eliminates the largest line item in an IRIS migration project: the file format conversion.
Ready to discuss your enterprise compliance needs?
Our compliance experts can walk you through a customized solution for your organization.
What FIRE-Format Files Does BoomTax Accept?
BoomTax accepts all standard Publication 1220-format files, including:
- 1099-NEC — Nonemployee compensation
- 1099-MISC — Miscellaneous income
- 1099-INT — Interest income
- 1099-DIV — Dividends and distributions
- 1099-R — Distributions from pensions, annuities, IRAs
- 1099-K — Payment card and third-party network transactions
- 1099-B — Proceeds from broker transactions
- 1099-S — Proceeds from real estate transactions
- 1099-SA — HSA, Archer MSA, and Medicare Advantage MSA distributions
- 1099-C — Cancellation of debt
- 5498-SA — HSA, Archer MSA, or Medicare Advantage MSA information
- W-2G — Certain gambling winnings
If your file follows Publication 1220 record layout specifications — with T (Transmitter), A (Payer), B (Payee), C (End of Payer), and F (End of Transmission) records — BoomTax can process it.
And because the IRS is no longer maintaining the 1220 format, BoomTax publishes an extended 1220 layout that carries the new boxes added to the 2026 form revisions — so your flat-file process keeps working through the form changes, too.
How It Works: Technical Details
Upload Methods
You can get your FIRE-format files into BoomTax through multiple channels:
- Web upload: Log in to BoomTax, navigate to Bulk Upload, and upload your file directly
- API upload: Submit files programmatically through the BoomTax REST API — ideal for automated pipelines
- SFTP: For enterprise customers, BoomTax offers secure SFTP drop-off for automated file delivery
Validation and Error Handling
After upload, BoomTax:
- Parses the FIRE-format file structure and validates record layouts
- Extracts all payer and payee data from T/A/B/C/F records
- Validates each record against IRS business rules (TIN format, amount limits, required fields)
- Flags any errors with clear descriptions and record-level detail
- Maps validated data to IRIS XML schemas
- Queues for IRIS submission
If errors are found, you get a detailed report showing exactly which records failed and why — no cryptic FIRE acknowledgment files to parse.
After Submission
BoomTax transmits to IRIS and monitors for acknowledgments. You receive:
- Submission confirmation with IRS receipt ID
- Acceptance/rejection status for each record
- Plain-English error messages if any records are rejected
- Ability to correct and resubmit rejected records through the BoomTax interface
Who Should Use This Approach?
Ideal For
- Organizations with established FIRE file generation
- ERP systems (PeopleSoft, Oracle, SAP) with Publication 1220 export
- Custom software that produces FIRE-format files
- Service bureaus processing FIRE files for multiple clients
- Payroll companies with existing FIRE pipelines
- Banks with high-volume 1099-INT/DIV generation
- Anyone who wants to avoid rewriting code for IRIS
Also Consider
- If you're building new from scratch, consider BoomTax's CSV or Excel upload or REST API
- If you file fewer than 50 forms, manual entry in BoomTax may be simpler
- If you want native IRIS XML generation, see our IRIS XML format guide
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. BoomTax accepts standard Publication 1220-format files and handles the conversion to IRIS XML automatically. Your systems continue generating the same files they always have. BoomTax bridges the gap between FIRE format and IRIS submission.
No. If your ERP or payroll system currently exports Publication 1220-format files, keep using that exact same export. Upload the file to BoomTax, and the rest is handled. No configuration changes, no vendor updates, no IT project required.
No. BoomTax handles FIRE-format files of any size — from a single payer with 10 forms to files containing hundreds of thousands of records across multiple payers. Enterprise pricing is available for high-volume filers.
BoomTax validates every record during the conversion process and provides clear, specific error messages — not the cryptic FIRE acknowledgment codes you may be used to. You can fix errors in the BoomTax interface or correct the source file and re-upload.
Now. Don't wait for the November 19, 2026, at 3 p.m. ET deadline. File your Tax Year 2025 returns through BoomTax to verify everything works smoothly before the final FIRE submission deadline. This gives you a full filing cycle to confirm compatibility.
Author
Ken Ham
Founder at BoomTax
View all posts
Passionate about making tax compliance simple so businesses can focus on what matters.
BoomTax and its affiliates do not provide tax, legal, or accounting advice. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for, tax, legal, or accounting advice. You should consult your own tax, legal, and accounting advisors prior to engaging in any transaction.
