Form 8821 lets the taxpayer authorize someone to inspect or receive confidential tax information for the tax types and years listed. It does not let them represent you. If you re-enter the same designee details for each client, upload a completed 8821 and a blank one, then review before export.
Tested with the irs.gov edition dated Rev. 01-2021
irs.gov says Form 8821 authorizes any individual, corporation, firm, organization or partnership you designate to inspect and/or receive your confidential information, verbally or in writing, for the type of tax and the years or periods listed on the form. The form itself says not to use it to request copies of your tax returns or to authorize someone to represent you. The form is also used to delete or revoke earlier tax information authorizations.
The taxpayer signs and dates line 6. The instructions say that if a joint return was filed, your spouse must execute their own authorization on a separate Form 8821. If you file by mail or fax, the instructions say the signature must be handwritten: digital, electronic or typed-font signatures are not valid for forms filed by mail or fax. An electronic signature is only for forms submitted online.
irs.gov offers several routes. The IRS page on submitting Forms 2848 and 8821 online describes uploading the form through its online submission process, and Tax Pro Account for real-time processing of individual authorizations. The instructions also describe fax and mail, with a Where To File chart. Use the route the IRS instructions give for your situation; this page does not replace them.
This is for a preparer, bookkeeper or lender who types the same designee name, address, CAF number, PTIN and phone into a new 8821 for each client. Upload an 8821 you completed and a blank one. RepeatForm carries across the answers that match in both copies, you review them, then you preview the PDF before you export.
The IRS renames fields between editions, so carry-over is partial. Check every field after a new edition.
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irs.gov says it authorizes any individual, corporation, firm, organization or partnership you designate to inspect and/or receive your confidential information for the type of tax and the years or periods listed. It is also used to delete or revoke prior authorizations.
No. The form says not to use it to authorize someone to represent you. Representation is a different IRS form, 2848.
irs.gov describes online submission, along with fax and mail. Pick the route the instructions give; processing can differ by method.
The instructions say a handwritten signature is required for forms filed by mail or fax; an electronic signature is for forms submitted online.
The instructions ask for the designee's nine-digit CAF number. If the designee has none, enter "NONE" and the IRS will issue one directly to the designee.
The form says the IRS automatically revokes all prior tax information authorizations on file unless you attach copies of the ones you want to keep and check the line 5 box. The instructions explain how to revoke without a new form.
The Rev. 01-2021 form. If the IRS publishes a newer one, get it from irs.gov and check every field.
