Tax
professionals can find the new “Submit Forms 2848 and 8821 Online” on the IRS.gov/taxpro page. Tax
professionals must have a Secure Access account, including a current username
and password, or create an account in advance of submitting an online
authorization form.
“This
online tool will allow tax professionals to safely obtain signatures from
individual and business clients and upload authorization forms,” said Chuck
Rettig, IRS commissioner. “This is a first step in our ongoing efforts to
expand digital options for tax professionals using electronic signatures and
online uploads.”
The project is a result of the Taxpayer First Act that requires the IRS to expand use of taxpayers’ electronic signatures on authorization forms.
Form 2848, Power of Attorney and Declaration
of Representative, and Form 8821, Tax Information Authorization,
are two forms that allow taxpayers to authorize the IRS to disclose their tax
information to third parties, such as, tax professionals.
Form
2848 is a taxpayer’s written authorization appointing an eligible individual to
represent the taxpayer before the IRS, including performing certain acts on the
taxpayer’s behalf. It also authorizes the representative to receive related
confidential tax information of the taxpayer from the IRS. Form 8821 is a
taxpayer’s written authorization designating a third party to receive and view
the taxpayer’s information.
The Taxpayer And The Tax Professional Must Sign Form 2848. If The Tax Professional Uses The New Online Option, The Signatures On The Forms Can Be Handwritten Or Electronic.
Form 8821 Needs Only The Taxpayer’s Signature.
If Using The New Online Option, The Taxpayer’s
Signature Can Be Handwritten Or Electronic.
If
the tax professional uses the electronic signature option for a new client, the
tax professional must first authenticate the client’s identity. For details on
this process, see the “Authentication” section in the online option’s Frequently Asked Questions.
Tax
professionals may also use the “Submit Forms 2848 and 8821 Online” to withdraw
previous authorizations. However, the new online option cannot be used to ask
questions or address other issues.
The
process to mail or fax authorization forms to the IRS is still available.
Signatures on mailed or faxed forms must be handwritten. Electronic signatures
are not allowed.
Most
Forms 2848 and 8821 are recorded on the IRS’s Centralized Authorization File
(CAF). Authorization forms uploaded through this tool will be worked on a
first-in, first-out basis along with mailed or faxed forms. The new online
option negates the need for specific equipment (e.g., fax machines, scanners),
saves tax professionals’ time in obtaining signatures, reduces person-to-person
contact, and allows complete flexibility in completing the form anywhere,
anytime, for both the tax professional and client.
The
“Submit Forms 2848 and 8821 Online” option is a step towards to a broader IRS
effort to expand options for electronic signatures on authorization forms as
required by TFA.
This
summer, the IRS plans to launch the Tax Pro Account. Its initial functionality
will allow tax professionals to initiate a third-party authorization on IRS.gov
and send it to a client’s IRS online account. Individual clients will access
their online account and digitally sign the authorization, sending it to be
recorded on the CAF. The IRS expects this new method will dramatically speed
processing and allow for almost immediate authorization. More information about
the Tax Pro Account and the extent of its initial functionality will be
announced in the future.
For
additional information tax professionals may review the Uploading Forms 2848 and 8821 with Electronic
Signatures webinar or Fact Sheet.
Have IRS Tax Problems?
Contact the Tax Lawyers at
www.TaxAid.com or www.OVDPLaw.com
or Toll Free at 888 8TAXAID (888-882-9243)
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