Section A: Return to
A box headed "Return to." The instructions call it the pre-printed address that the approved request is forwarded to.
8796-A
Request for Return/Information (Federal/State Tax Exchange Program - State and Local Government Use Only)
- Agency
- IRS
- Revision
- Rev. 9-2021
- Fillable fields
- 32
- Pages
- 1
- Official source
- IRS form page
- Checked
- October 21, 2026
Form 8796-A: Request for Return/Information (Federal/State Tax Exchange Program)
Form 8796-A, Request for Return/Information, belongs to the Federal/State Tax Exchange Program. Its heading reads "State and Local Government Use Only." The instructions printed at the bottom of the form say it may be used by state and local tax agency personnel requesting returns or return information from the IRS.
The requesting agency names the taxpayer, the returns or information it wants, the tax periods and the reason for the request. The form says the request is made under the terms of the Federal/State Tax Coordination Agreement, and that disclosure or use of the information received for other than authorized tax administrative purposes is subject to criminal and civil liabilities under sections 7213 and 7431 of the Internal Revenue Code.
This is an agency form, not one an individual taxpayer files. The PDF can be filled out free in your browser on this page and downloaded without an account.
What's on Form 8796-A
Section B, line 1: taxpayer
The name of the taxpayer, the SSN or EIN, and the taxpayer's address.
Section B, line 2: information requested
Yes or No for a copy of returns, the tax periods and type of return forms, and blocks for a transcript, audit workpapers, an outstanding balance of assessments including penalties and interest computed to a date, or other.
Section B, line 3: reason requested
Blocks for pending examination, criminal investigation, pending collection activity, or other, with space to specify.
Section C, lines 1 to 3: request and approval
The requesting employee and date, the group manager's signature, phone and division, branch or group, and the signature of the person or authorized representative the request is from.
Section C, line 4: requesting agency
The agency name, an attention line, two street address lines, and the city, state and ZIP code.
How to fill out Form 8796-A
- 1
Complete all three sections
The instructions say to complete Sections A, B and C.
- 2
Section B, line 1
Enter the taxpayer's name, SSN or EIN, and address.
- 3
Section B, line 2
Mark Yes or No for a copy of returns, enter the tax periods and type of return forms, and check the block for what is wanted. For "Other," specify it in the space below.
- 4
Section B, line 3
Check the reason block. The instructions say to state the agency's need and use for the data as specifically as possible here, and that a general statement that it is needed for tax administration is insufficient.
- 5
Section C
Enter the requesting employee and date, get the group manager's signature, sign as the person or authorized representative the request is from, and fill in the requesting agency's address.
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Where it goes and special handling
Where to send it
After signature approval, the instructions say to forward the form to the pre-printed address in Section A.
Expedited requests
The form says not to send expedite requests or other requests that require local handling to the address in Section A, and to contact the local Disclosure Office instead.
Local handling
If the Disclosure Office agrees to expedite or otherwise handle the request locally, the form says the request is submitted directly to that office.
Use of the information
The form says disclosure or use of the information received for other than authorized tax administrative purposes is subject to criminal and civil liabilities under sections 7213 and 7431.
Related forms
Who uses Form 8796-A?
The form is completed by a state or local government tax agency and goes to the IRS. The taxpayer named in Section B is the subject of the request, not the person filing it.
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Questions about Form 8796-A
Can an individual use Form 8796-A to get a copy of a return?
The form's heading says State and Local Government Use Only, and its instructions describe it as a request by state and local tax agency personnel.
What can an agency request with Form 8796-A?
The form lists copies of returns, transcripts, audit workpapers, an outstanding balance of assessments including penalties and interest computed to a date, and other information the agency specifies.
How specific does the reason need to be?
The instructions say to state the agency's need and use for the data as specifically as possible in section B-3. A general statement that it is needed for tax administration is insufficient.
Where is Form 8796-A sent?
After signature approval, to the pre-printed address in Section A. Expedite requests and others that require local handling go through the local Disclosure Office instead.
What agreement is the request made under?
The form says the request is made under the terms of the Federal/State Tax Coordination Agreement. The title of its instructions refers to the Federal/State Exchange Agreement.