8453-EX

Excise Tax Declaration for an IRS e-file Return

Agency
IRS
Revision
Rev. December 2011
Fillable fields
29
Pages
2
Official source
IRS form page
Checked
October 21, 2026
Fill 8453-EX online
Page 1 of form 8453-EX

Form 8453-EX: Excise Tax Declaration for an IRS e-file Return

Form 8453-EX, Excise Tax Declaration for an IRS e-file Return, is used with Forms 720, 2290 and 8849. The IRS says it is used to authenticate an electronic Form 720, Quarterly Federal Excise Tax Return, Form 2290, Heavy Highway Vehicle Use Tax Return, or Form 8849, Claim for Refund of Excise Taxes, and to authorize the electronic return originator (ERO) or intermediate service provider (ISP) to transmit via a third-party transmitter.

It also carries the taxpayer's consent to an electronic funds withdrawal for payment of federal taxes owed. The taxpayer signs Part II, and an ERO and paid preparer, if any, sign Part III. The form says "File electronically. Do not file paper copies." The instructions are printed on page 2 of the form.

You can fill out Form 8453-EX free in your browser on this page and download it without an account.

What's on Form 8453-EX

Header

The tax period beginning and ending dates, the name as shown on Form 720, 2290 or 8849, and the taxpayer identification number.

Part I: Type of return

Line 1 for Form 720 with balance due or overpayment, line 2 for Form 2290 with balance due, and line 3 for Form 8849 with total refund, in whole dollars. Only one line is completed.

Part II: Declaration of Taxpayer

Box 4a for a refund request on Form 720 or 8849, box 4b to authorize an electronic funds withdrawal for taxes owed, a penalties of perjury declaration and the taxpayer's signature and date.

Part III: ERO's Use Only

The ERO's declaration, signature, date, boxes for also paid preparer and self-employed, SSN or PTIN, and the firm's name, address, EIN and phone number.

Part III: Paid Preparer Use Only

The preparer's printed name, signature, date, PTIN, self-employed box, and the firm's name, EIN, address and phone number.

How to fill out Form 8453-EX

  1. 1

    Name and TIN

    Print or type the taxpayer's name and enter the taxpayer identification number exactly as shown on Form 720, 2290 or 8849.

  2. 2

    Part I

    Check the box for the return and enter the amount from it. The form says that if the amount on the return was blank, leave the line blank, and if the return shows -0-, enter -0-. For line 3b, Schedules 2, 3, 5 and 8 each need a separate Form 8453-EX.

  3. 3

    Box 4b and payment

    If box 4b is checked, the instructions say the routing and account number, account type, debit amount and debit date are provided in the tax preparation software. With a balance due and box 4b unchecked, they point to EFTPS.

  4. 4

    Taxpayer signs

    The taxpayer signs and dates Part II. The instructions say the return is not considered complete, and therefore filed, unless the signed Form 8453-EX is scanned into a PDF and transmitted with the return, or Form 8879-EX is used through an ERO.

  5. 5

    Part III

    Leave Part III blank if the return is filed online through an ISP and/or transmitter without an ERO. Otherwise the ERO signs, and a paid preparer, if any, signs and enters a PTIN issued after September 27, 2010.

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How it is sent and what to know

When and where to file

The instructions say to file Form 8453-EX with the taxpayer's electronically filed return. A scanner is used to create a PDF of the completed form, and the tax preparation software transmits the PDF with the return.

No paper copies

The form says "File electronically. Do not file paper copies."

Revoking a payment

Box 4b says that to revoke a payment, the taxpayer contacts the U.S. Treasury Financial Agent at 1-888-353-4537 no later than two business days prior to the payment (settlement) date.

Refunds

The instructions say that after the IRS has accepted the return, the refund should be issued within 3 weeks, though some refunds may be delayed to ensure returns are accurate.

What the signature allows

The instructions say the taxpayer's signature allows the IRS to tell the ERO, transmitter and/or ISP that the return was accepted and the reasons for any delay in processing the return or refund.

Related forms

Who completes Form 8453-EX?

  • Taxpayers filing online without an ERO

    The instructions say a taxpayer filing Forms 720, 2290 or 8849 through an ISP and/or transmitter, and not using an ERO, files Form 8453-EX with the electronically filed return.

  • Electronic return originators

    The instructions say an ERO can use either Form 8453-EX or Form 8879-EX to get authorization to file Forms 720, 2290 and 8849. When the return is filed through an ERO, the IRS requires the ERO's signature in Part III.

  • Paid preparers

    A paid preparer, if any, signs in the space for Paid Preparer Use Only and enters a PTIN. If the paid preparer is also the ERO, the preparer section is left blank and the "Check if also paid preparer" box is checked.

  • PIN signers use Form 8879-EX

    The instructions note that a taxpayer filing through an ERO can sign with a personal identification number (PIN) instead, using Form 8879-EX.

Form 8453-EX goes with an excise tax return filed electronically. It is signed by the taxpayer named on Form 720, 2290 or 8849 and, where one is used, by the ERO and the paid preparer.

Official sources and the blank

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Questions about Form 8453-EX

What is Form 8453-EX for?

The IRS says it authenticates an electronic Form 720, 2290 or 8849, authorizes transmission through a third-party transmitter, and gives consent to an electronic funds withdrawal for federal taxes owed.

Is Form 8453-EX mailed to the IRS?

No. The form says to file electronically and not to file paper copies. The signed form is scanned into a PDF and transmitted with the return.

What is the difference between Form 8453-EX and Form 8879-EX?

The instructions say a taxpayer filing through an ERO can sign with a PIN using Form 8879-EX instead. An ERO can use either form to get authorization.

Who completes Part III?

The ERO and the paid preparer, if any. The instructions say Part III is not completed when the return is filed online through an ISP and/or transmitter without an ERO.

Can one Form 8453-EX cover several Form 8849 schedules?

The form says Schedules 2, 3, 5 and 8 cannot be combined with any other schedules, and a separate Form 8453-EX is filed for each schedule.

How soon is a refund issued?

The instructions say the refund should be issued within 3 weeks after the IRS accepts the return, though some refunds may be delayed.