IRS Form 8821 (Tax Information Authorization) Fax Numbers
Where and How to Fax a 8821 Form?
IRS Form 8821, the Tax Information Authorization, is a focused tool that lets you name a specific designee, such as a tax preparer, attorney, or family member, to receive confidential tax information from the IRS. Unlike a full power of attorney, it limits that designee's access solely to information rather than decision-making authority over your tax matters.
What is an IRS Form 8821?
This form authorizes an individual or organization to receive, inspect, and obtain your confidential IRS tax records. In essence, it permits the designated party to review your tax account information to help with matters such as tax preparation, resolving disputes, or managing inquiries from the IRS. It does not grant them the authority to make tax-related decisions on your behalf.
IRS Form 8821 Fax Numbers
- 855-214-7519: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia (Eastern U.S. CAF Unit, Memphis)
- 855-214-7522: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming (Western U.S. CAF Unit, Ogden)
- 855-772-3156 (toll-free; 304-707-9785 if outside the U.S.): All APO/FPO military addresses, American Samoa, Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and other international filers (International CAF Unit in Philadelphia)
Include a fax cover sheet with your contact information and any necessary details to ensure proper processing of your submission.
How to Fax Your Form 8821 to the IRS
Fax.Plus lets you send Form 8821 straight from your computer, phone, or email, no fax machine required. Since your designee doesn't need to be a licensed tax professional, a family member, accountant, or preparer all qualify, Fax.Plus gives you a timestamped confirmation for every fax you send, so both you and your designee have proof the IRS received it.
Fax From Computer
Fax From Mobile
Fax By Email
Fax By Scan
Why do you need an IRS Form 8821?
The primary purpose of Form 8821 is to provide you with a secure and limited means to share your IRS tax information. By filing this form, you ensure that:
- Sensitive data remains confidential: Only the specifically authorized person or entity gains access.
- Assistance is provided where needed: You can obtain professional help (for tax preparation, audit responses, etc.) without transferring full control over your tax matters.
- Clear boundaries are set: The authorized representative can view your tax records but cannot act or make decisions on your behalf.
Who needs to file an IRS Form 8821?
You (or your business, estate, or trust) need to file Form 8821 if you wish to have a designated third party, whether that's a tax preparer, lawyer, accountant, or another qualified individual, receive your confidential tax information directly from the IRS. This form is useful when you want to monitor or manage your tax matters while keeping tight control over who accesses your information.
What can't my designee do with Form 8821?
A designee named on Form 8821 can only inspect and receive your confidential tax information from the IRS. They cannot speak or negotiate on your behalf, sign agreements, or represent you in an audit or appeal. If you need someone to act for you before the IRS, that's Form 2848 (Power of Attorney), not Form 8821.
Does filing a new Form 8821 cancel my earlier ones?
Yes, by default. Filing a new Form 8821 automatically revokes every prior tax information authorization covering the same matters and years. To keep an older authorization active alongside the new one, check the retention box on line 5 and attach a copy of the Form 8821 you want to keep.
Who can I name as my designee on Form 8821?
Almost anyone, a tax preparer, attorney, accountant, family member, or friend. Unlike Form 2848, which limits representatives to licensed professionals such as attorneys, CPAs, or enrolled agents, Form 8821 has no licensing requirement for the person you designate.
If we filed a joint tax return, do both spouses need to fax their own Form 8821?
Yes. Each spouse is treated as a separate taxpayer, so each one needs to sign and fax their own Form 8821, even though the underlying tax return was filed jointly.
Is there a deadline to fax Form 8821 to the IRS?
Only if you're using it for something outside an actual IRS matter, like income verification for a loan. In that case, the IRS must receive your faxed form within 120 days of your signature date. There's no such deadline when the authorization is for an IRS tax matter itself.
Granting access to your tax records is often just one piece of dealing with the IRS by fax. Here's what else comes up around a tax information authorization filing.
Start faxing now.
Create an account to save time and money by sending free faxes from a computer or mobile to anywhere in the world.
DISCLAIMER: The information on this site is for general information purposes only, and Alohi cannot guarantee that all the information on this site is current or accurate. This is not intended to be legal, accounting or tax advice and should not be a substitute for professional legal, accounting or tax advice. For legal advice, consult a licensed attorney regarding your specific legal questions.
Partner with us!
Confédération Suisse
Confederazione Svizzera
Confederaziun Svizra
Swiss Confederation
Innosuisse - Swiss Innovation Agency
