Form 8879 is the IRS e-file signature authorization that taxpayers sign to approve an electronically filed tax return.
You can now skip the completion of the physical document; all you should do is open our fillable Form 8879 copy, sign, and save your authorization in minutes, with no printing required.
Form 8879 is the IRS e-file signature authorization that taxpayers sign to approve an electronically filed tax return.
You can now skip the completion of the physical document; all you should do is open our fillable Form 8879 copy, sign, and save your authorization in minutes, with no printing required.
IRS Form 8879 is used for authorizing an electronic return originator to file your individual tax return using the Practitioner PIN method. It confirms your identity, approves your return amounts, and follows the official Form 8879 instructions if your situation needs extra guidance.
Taxpayers who have a preparer e-file their Form 1040, 1040-SR, 1040-NR, 1040-SS, or 1040-X should use Form 8879. If your ERO enters or generates your PIN electronically instead of collecting a wet signature, you need to sign this form before the return is transmitted to the IRS.
There's no separate Form 8879 due date apart from your tax return. You must sign and return it to your ERO before they transmit your return, which typically means completing it by the April 15 filing deadline or your extended October deadline.
If Form 8879 is not submitted, your ERO generally cannot transmit your e-filed return using the Practitioner PIN method. This can delay or block electronic filing until the signed authorization is received.
While there are no standard Form 8879 penalties for simply forgetting to sign the authorization, the form includes a declaration made under penalties of perjury, so you should review the return information carefully before signing and authorizing your ERO to submit it.
You don't file Form 8879 with the IRS; instead, you should sign it and return it to your ERO by hand, mail, email, fax, or secure portal. Your preparer should keep the signed copy on file for at least three years.
You can get a blank Form 8879 by accessing it directly from this page. Just open it in our editor, then fill in your own details quickly and easily, without hunting through IRS.gov for the current revision.
Yes, you can submit Form 8879 electronically to your ERO (not to the IRS). Your tax preparer collects your e-signature or scanned copy, keeps it in their records, and only forwards it to the IRS if requested during an audit.
If your Form 8879 is missing information, don't sign it; ask your ERO for a corrected version that matches your actual return, since signing an inaccurate declaration under penalties of perjury can create problems later.
Yes, you can fill out your Form 8879 online using pdf.net. We’ve prepared a template for this form in our browser-based editor, so all you need to do is type your details directly into the fields and, once you’re done, save the final version of the document instantly.
Filling out this form through pdf.net is free; however, downloading it requires a subscription.
You can correct mistakes on Form 8879 before signing by editing the fields in our tool (you can use a fully completed Form 8879 example as a reference). Once you've signed and sent it to your ERO, ask them for a revised copy if your return changes.
Form 8879 doesn’t need to be processed, since it's a signature authorization, not a filing that the IRS reviews. What matters is your actual refund or return processing time, which depends on the IRS's standard e-file timelines instead.
Form 1040 is your actual income tax return, while Form 8879 is the signature authorization that lets your preparer file it electronically. You need both, but only Form 1040 goes to the IRS for processing.