Login

Recent Tax Updates

New Option for Submitting Forms 2848 and 8821 Online to IRS

The IRS has rolled out a new online option for tax professionals to upload authorization forms with either electronic or handwritten signatures.

Tax professionals can access the new electronic version of these two authorization forms via the Submit Forms 2848 and 8821 Online tool on the IRS website.

Below are details tax professionals need to know about this new option:

  • Tax professionals may use handwritten or any form of electronic signature for the client or themselves on the Form 2848 or 8821 submitted through the online tool.
  • Tax professionals must authenticate the identities of unknown clients who signed the authorization form with an electronic signature in a remote transaction. See the Frequently Asked Questions on the Submit Forms 2848 and 8821 page on the IRS website for examples of what the authentication options are for individual and business clients.
  • To use the new tool the tax professional must have a Secure Access username and password they have set up from an IRS Account such as e-Services. If they do not then they will need to authenticate their identity and create an account on the IRS website. See the Secure Access page for information on how to set up an account.
  • In order to correctly route the authorization form to proper Centralized Authorization File (CAF) unit, the tool will ask a series of questions. The questions include:
    • Form type: 2848 or 8821
    • Whether, if required, the tax professional authenticated the taxpayer’s identity
    • Whether the client is a domestic or International client
  • May use various file formats, including PDF or image files such as JPG or PNG when uploading an authorization form.

Authorization forms uploaded through the tool will be added to the processing stream (which includes forms that were faxed or mailed) and worked on a first in, first out basis.

This new option is an interim step. Coming later this year, the IRS will launch the Tax Pro Account. As part of their account, tax professionals will be able to initiate a third party authorization while in their account and send it to their client’s IRS online account. The client will then be able to digitally sign the authorization and upload it to the IRS to be recorded by the CAF.

For more information see the following on the IRS website:

Mark Castro, CPA

Mark Castro, CPA

Mark has been with CrossLink Professional Tax Solutions (CPTS) since 2008, but has been in the tax industry since 1990. As the government/tax industry liaison for CPTS, Mark has been very active in working with the IRS, States, and other tax industry members to help improve communications, promote standardization, and simplification of eFile systems. Mark has also been active with industry associations as a board member of the National Association of Computerized Processors (NACTP) and the Council of Electronic Revenue Communication Advancement (CERCA) for many years. These two associations work with the IRS and States to help solve key eFile and electronic tax system issues and work to improve the operations of the State and IRS eFile systems.
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Email
Print

Recent Tax Updates

Form 1099-K on laptop.

IRS Delays Form 1099-K Reporting for 2023

Following feedback from taxpayers, tax professionals and payment processors, the IRS announced on November 23 that the requirement that was enacted in the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 that lowered the reporting threshold from $20,000 to $600 for third-party networks that process payments for transactions that involve the selling of goods or services will be delayed until 2024.

Read More »
cheerful-professional-preparers-employee retention credit

Employee Retention Credit

Over the past few months, you may have seen information in the media about the Employee Retention Credit and the most recent news that the IRS has stopped processing any new claims for this credit due to the high incidence of questionable claims being submitted to the IRS.

Read More »
Get the FREE
2024 Tax Season Desk Reference Guide!

Quickly reference important tax topics such as Due Diligence Requirements, Taxpayer Filing Requirements, Standard Deductions, EIC breakdowns, Individual and Corporate Tax Rate Schedules, and more!