Form 2848: Power of Attorney and Declaration of Representative is an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) document that authorizes an individual or organization to represent a taxpayer by appearing before the IRS—at an audit, for example. It is similar to a power of attorney (POA) but does not relieve or indemnify the taxpayer of any tax liability. Authorized representatives, include attorneys, CPAs, and enrolled agents. A signed Form 2848 can be used to take certain actions on the taxpayer’s behalf, such as receive confidential tax information, sign an agreement with the IRS regarding taxes, and sign documents requesting additional time. Form 2848 is available on the IRS website. Form 8821: Tax Information Authorization is used when the taxpayer wants a third-party to receive and inspect their confidential information without representing them to the IRS.
What is Form 2848?
Form 2848: Power of Attorney and Declaration of Representative is an IRS document that gives an individual or organization permission to represent a taxpayer when appearing before the IRS. It allows the representative to receive confidential tax information, sign an agreement, and sign a tax return in a limited situation. It is not a blanket grant of authority and individuals may revoke a representative by writing revoke across a new Form 2848 and sending it with the original Form 2848 to the IRS. Certified public accountants, attorneys, or enrolled agents may act as representatives. Form 2848 is not the same as a power of attorney, but Form 8821 does allow someone to receive and inspect confidential tax information without representing a taxpayer to the IRS.
IRS Form 2848 – Who Needs to Fill It Out?
IRS Form 2848, Power of Attorney and Declaration of Representative, must be filled out by anyone who wishes to be represented by an authorized power of attorney when meeting with the IRS. This includes attorneys, CPAs, enrolled agents, and other related individuals such as family members or fiduciaries. Once completed and signed, Form 2848 authorizes a specific agent to take certain actions on the taxpayer’s behalf, including receiving and inspecting confidential tax information, and signing documents requesting additional time from the IRS. However, a Form 2848 does not relieve the taxpayer of any tax liability.
Step-by-Step: Form 2848 Instructions For Filling Out the Document
Filling out Form 2848 is essential when granting another individual or organization the authority to represent you before the IRS. You need to provide specific information such as your address and the year the authority applies to, as well as information about your representative, like their name, phone number, and Preparer Tax Identification Number. Once the form is filled out and signed, your representative will be able to represent you in audits and sign documents on your behalf to request extra time to assess your tax liability. Note that Form 2848 does not relieve the taxpayer of any tax liability. If you need to provide someone with confidential tax information, but without the power to represent you to the IRS, Form 8821 is the right document for the job.
Below, we present a table that will help you understand how to fill out Form 2848.
| Information Required for Form 2848 | Details |
|---|---|
| Your Name | Your full name as it appears on your tax return |
| Address | Your current mailing address |
| Year of Authority | The tax year to which the authority applies |
| Representative’s Name | The full name of the individual or organization representing you |
| Representative’s Phone Number | The contact number of your representative |
| Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN) | The PTIN of your representative (if applicable) |
| IRS Representation | Your representative’s ability to represent you and sign documents on your behalf for IRS matters |
| Tax Liability | Note that Form 2848 does not relieve you of any tax liability |
Do You Need to File Form 2848 Each Year?
Do You Need to File Form 2848 Each Year? No, Form 2848 does not require annual filing. When filing Form 2848, a taxpayer must state the specific form number and year which the agent or representative will have the authority to act on their behalf. It is critical that taxpayers ensure their agents or representatives have an up-to-date Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN). When submitting this form, taxpayers must keep in mind that it does not relieve them of any tax liability and does not grant agents or representatives entirety of a taxpayer’s confidential information. Form 2848 must be renewed if tax information changes.
Download the official IRS Form 2848 PDF
On the official IRS website, you will find a link to download Form 2848. However, to make it easier for you, we are providing the link in our article, which comes directly from the official irs.gov website! Click to download: Form 2848
Sources:
https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-2848
https://www.irs.gov/instructions/i2848
