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Internal Revenue Service (IRS) · United States (federal)

Form 8821: Tax Information Authorization

Current revision: Rev. January 2021 (checked on irs.gov, Oct 15, 2026)

Fill in IRS Form 8821 (Rev. January 2021) to let someone see your tax information. Line-by-line steps, e-signature rules and how to submit it.

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Form

8821

Issued by
Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
Applies in
United States (federal)
Edition
Rev. January 2021

Official source

PDFBetter is not affiliated with, endorsed by or acting for Internal Revenue Service (IRS). We open the form from irs.gov, and you fill it in our editor. Check the issuer's instructions before you file.

What it is

What Form 8821 is for

Form 8821 authorizes a person or organization to inspect or receive your confidential tax information for the tax types and years you list. It does not let them represent you or speak for you — that needs Form 2848. Lenders, bookkeepers and tax preparers often ask for it.

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  2. 2

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Who files it

  • Taxpayers letting a preparer or bookkeeper see IRS records
  • Borrowers authorizing a lender to verify tax information
  • Businesses giving a payroll provider access to account information
  • Family members helping manage a relative's tax affairs (without representation)

What you need

  • Your name, address, SSN/ITIN or EIN and phone
  • Each designee's name, address, CAF number (if any) and PTIN (if any)
  • The tax types, form numbers and years or periods to cover
  • Whether the designee should receive copies of notices

Line by line

How to fill out Form 8821

  1. 1

    Line 1 — Taxpayer

    Enter your name, address, taxpayer ID and phone. A business enters its name and EIN.

  2. 2

    Line 2 — Designees

    Name up to two designees on the form (attach a list for more), with their CAF number if known. Check the box if they should get copies of notices.

  3. 3

    Line 3 — Tax information

    For each matter, enter the type of tax, the form number, the years or periods, and any specific tax matter. General references like “all years” aren't accepted.

  4. 4

    Line 4 — Specific use

    Check only if the authorization is for a specific use not recorded on the IRS's CAF system, such as a one-time loan verification.

  5. 5

    Line 5 — Prior authorizations

    Unless line 4 is checked, filing a new 8821 automatically revokes all earlier tax information authorizations on file. To keep any, check the line 5 box and attach copies of the ones that should stay in effect.

  6. 6

    Line 6 — Sign

    Sign, date, print your name, and add a title if signing for a business. The IRS must receive the form within 120 days of the signature date.

Where to send it

Submit online at https://www.irs.gov/Submit8821 (requires an IRS Secure Access account), or fax or mail it to the number or address for your state in the Where To File Chart in the instructions (https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i8821.pdf). A form signed electronically can only be submitted online.

Filing rules change. Confirm the address or portal on irs.gov before you send.

Form 8821: questions people ask

Can I sign Form 8821 electronically?

Yes, but an 8821 with an electronic signature — a typed name, a scanned signature image, a drawn signature, or one made with signature software — can only be submitted online at IRS.gov/Submit8821. Faxed or mailed forms need a handwritten signature.

What's the difference between 8821 and 2848?

Form 8821 only lets someone see or receive your tax information. Form 2848 lets an eligible representative act for you, such as speaking with the IRS or signing agreements.

How long is it valid?

It covers the years and periods you list on line 3 until revoked. You may list future years, but the IRS won't record future periods more than 3 years after December 31 of the year it receives the form.

Why was my 8821 rejected?

Common reasons are general entries like “all years” on line 3, a missing signature or date, and arriving more than 120 days after signing.

How do I send it securely?

Use the IRS online submission tool or fax. If you share it with your designee first, send a password-protected link rather than an email attachment.