Internal Revenue Service

Fill out Form 8821 online

Tax Information Authorization

Form 8821 lets you name a person or organization, called a designee, who may inspect or receive your confidential IRS tax information for the tax types, forms, periods and matters you list. It does not let the designee speak for you or represent you before the IRS. The same form is also used to revoke earlier tax information authorizations.

Fill out Form 8821 Blank form from the IRS

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Edition: Rev. January 2021
Pages: 1
Fillable fields: 45
Checked against the IRS: November 8, 2026

GuruPDF is not affiliated with the Internal Revenue Service. This page explains the form in plain words; it is not legal or tax advice. Always check the official instructions before you file.

Who uses Form 8821

Individuals who want another person or a firm to see their IRS tax information
Corporations, partnerships and other businesses that let a person or firm they choose receive their tax information
Taxpayers whose lender or other third party needs to verify tax information, such as income
Trustees, executors and plan officials acting for a trust, estate or employee plan
Taxpayers who want to keep or revoke earlier tax information authorizations

Before you start

Your name, address, daytime phone and taxpayer identification number (SSN, ITIN or EIN)
Each designee's full name, mailing address, telephone and fax numbers
Each designee's CAF number and PTIN, if they have them
The type of tax, tax form numbers, years or periods, and any specific matters the designee may see
Copies of any earlier Forms 8821 you want to stay in effect
If you sign for a business, trust, estate or plan: your title. A trust or estate may also need a Form 56 on file to identify the trustee or executor.

How to fill out Form 8821

Line 1: Taxpayer information
Enter your name, street address, taxpayer identification number(s) and daytime phone. Add the three-digit plan number only for an employee plan. Do not put the designee's details here. The address on this form does not update your address with the IRS; use Form 8822 or Form 8822-B for that.
Line 2: Designee(s)
There is room for two designees. For each, enter the full name and mailing address, the nine-digit CAF number (write "NONE" if they do not have one), PTIN, telephone and fax numbers. Check the box under a name if that designee should get copies of IRS notices and communications. Use the "Check if new" boxes if their address, phone or fax changed since their CAF number was issued. For more than two designees, check the box at the top of line 2 and attach a list.
Line 3: Tax information
List what the designee may see in four columns: (a) type of tax information, such as income or employment; (b) tax form number, such as 1040 or 941; (c) year(s) or period(s); and (d) specific tax matters, or "not applicable" if you are not limiting access. Use exact years such as "2017 thru 2019"; for fiscal years use YYYYMM, and for estate tax enter the date of death. Check the box above the columns only if you allow access to your records through an Intermediate Service Provider.
Line 4: Specific use not recorded on CAF
Check this box if the authorization is for a specific use the IRS does not record on its Centralized Authorization File, such as disclosure to a loan company, an educational institution, or federal or state investigators doing background checks. The instructions list other examples. If you check line 4, skip line 5.
Line 5: Retention/revocation of prior authorizations
If line 4 is not checked, the IRS automatically revokes all your earlier tax information authorizations on file. To keep an earlier one, check the line 5 box and attach a copy of the authorization you want to keep.
Line 6: Taxpayer signature
Sign and date the form, then print your name and add a title if you sign for an entity. For a corporation, partnership, employee plan, trust or estate, the instructions explain who may sign, such as an officer, partner, trustee or executor. Do not sign until all lines that apply are complete.

After you fill it out

The signed form is filed with the IRS; you or your designee can send it. If line 4 is not checked, it can be uploaded at IRS.gov/Submit8821 (a Secure Access account is needed), faxed or mailed; the fax numbers and mailing addresses are in the Where To File Chart in the instructions. If you checked line 4, mail or fax it to the IRS office handling that matter. If the form was already faxed or mailed, do not also submit it online, and check the official processing status page for current delays.

Signing: If you file Form 8821 by mail or fax, you must sign it by hand; digital, electronic or typed signatures are not valid on mailed or faxed forms. An electronic signature is accepted only when the form is submitted online at IRS.gov/Submit8821, so print the form and sign in ink if you plan to mail or fax it.

Watch out for

Form 8821 only lets the designee inspect or receive your tax information. It does not let them speak for you, sign agreements or represent you before the IRS; that needs Form 2848.
Do not write general references such as "All years," "All periods" or "All taxes" on line 3. The IRS returns an authorization that uses them.
Unless you check line 4, or check line 5 and attach copies, a new Form 8821 revokes all your earlier tax information authorizations on file.
If the form is for a purpose other than a tax matter with the IRS, such as income verification for a lender, the IRS must receive it within 120 days after you sign it.

Questions about Form 8821

What is the difference between Form 8821 and Form 2848?

Form 8821 lets a designee inspect or receive your confidential tax information. It does not let them advocate for you, sign waivers or agreements, or represent you. To authorize someone to represent you before the IRS, the instructions point to Form 2848.

Can I use Form 8821 to get a copy of my own tax return?

No. The form says not to use it for that. You can order a transcript at IRS.gov/Transcripts or with Form 4506-T or 4506-T-EZ, or request a photocopy of a return with Form 4506, which has a fee.

We filed a joint return. Does one Form 8821 cover both spouses?

No. A designee named on the form is authorized only for the taxpayer who signs it. Your spouse or former spouse must submit a separate Form 8821.

How many designees can I name?

The form has room for two. To name more, check the box on line 2 and attach a list with each designee's address and numbers. No more than two designees can receive copies of IRS notices for the same matter.

How do I revoke a Form 8821 without naming a new designee?

Write "REVOKE" across the top of a copy of the authorization, sign and date it again under the original signature, and send it to the IRS. If you do not have a copy, the line 5 instructions explain what a signed revocation notice must include.