BARCODE Efficiency Act
What does the BARCODE Efficiency Act do?
HR 6956 is a House bill sponsored by Rep. Bradley Scott Schneider (D-IL). When taxpayers prepare their returns electronically but print and mail them, the IRS currently re-enters all that data by hand. This bill requires those returns to include a scannable barcode so the IRS can convert them to electronic format automatically. For returns prepared entirely by hand and for paper correspondence, the IRS must use optical character recognition software. The technology requirement can be waived if the IRS finds it slower or less reliable than manual processing — but any waiver must be reported to Congress within 30 days. Mandates barcodes on electronically-prepared paper returns and OCR scanning for handwritten returns and correspondence, with a performance-based waiver.
Did HR 6956 pass? Where it stands
As of July 17, 2026, HR 6956 has passed the House.
Status: Passed House
Latest vote: House Passed by voice vote on April 27, 2026
Outlook: Unlikely
Key provisions
- Barcode Mandate
- Electronically-prepared paper returns must include a scannable barcode — IRS must scan rather than manually re-enter the data
- Applies to individual income tax returns 180 days after enactment
- OCR for Everything Else
- Hand-prepared returns and all paper IRS correspondence must be transcribed using optical character recognition
- Estate and gift returns: 24 months; all other returns and correspondence: 12 months after enactment
- Performance Waiver
- IRS may skip the technology if it's slower or less reliable than manual processing — but must report to Congress within 30 days
Last updated June 10, 2026