8821

Tax Information Authorization

Agency
IRS
Revision
Rev. January 2021
Fillable fields
45
Pages
1
Official source
IRS form page
Checked
October 14, 2026
Fill 8821 online
Page 1 of form 8821

Form 8821: Tax Information Authorization

Form 8821 lets you authorize a designee to inspect or receive your confidential tax information for the tax types and periods you list. You can also use it to delete or revoke earlier authorizations.

It does not let the designee speak for you. The IRS says a designee cannot advocate your position, sign waivers or agreements, or represent you before the IRS, and cannot endorse or cash your refund check. If you need someone to represent you, use Form 2848.

You can fill out Form 8821 on this page, in your browser, with no account.

Page 1 of Form 8821 with line 1 taxpayer information and line 2 designees, sample values

What's on Form 8821

Line 1: taxpayer information

Name, taxpayer number and address. This does not change your last known address with the IRS.

Line 2: designee

Full name, mailing address and nine-digit CAF number, or NONE.

Line 3: tax information

Type of tax, form number, years or periods and specific matters.

Line 4: specific use not recorded on CAF

For uses the IRS does not record, such as disclosures to loan companies or educational institutions.

Line 5: retention or revocation

Whether earlier authorizations stay in place.

Line 6: signature

The taxpayer signs and dates.

How to fill out Form 8821

  1. 1

    Line 1

    Enter your own name, TIN and address, not the designee's.

    Line 1 of Form 8821 with the taxpayer's own name, number and address, not the designee's
  2. 2

    Line 2

    Give the designee's name and address and CAF number or NONE. If you name more than two designees, check the box and attach a list. You can have a designee receive copies of notices, but no more than two for the same matter.

    Line 2 of Form 8821 with a designee and a second designee attached on a list, sample names
  3. 3

    Line 3

    State the tax information type, form number and years or periods. General references such as all years cause the authorization to be returned.

    Line 3 of Form 8821 with income tax, Form 1040 and a specific year range, not all years
  4. 4

    Future years

    You may list future periods, but the IRS will not record any more than 3 years past December 31 of the year it receives the form.

    Line 3 of Form 8821 with a future period no more than three years beyond the filing year
  5. 5

    Intermediate service providers

    Access through an intermediate service provider is authorized only if you check the box on line 3.

    The intermediate service provider box on line 3 of Form 8821 being checked
  6. 6

    Line 4

    Check it for a specific use the IRS does not record. If you do, skip line 5.

    Line 4 of Form 8821, the specific use box to check for a lender's income check, which means line 5 is skipped
  7. 7

    Line 5

    Unless you check the box and attach copies of prior forms to keep, the IRS automatically revokes earlier authorizations.

    Line 5 of Form 8821 with the retain box checked so earlier tax information authorizations stay in effect
  8. 8

    Line 6

    Sign and date. Handwritten signatures are required for mailed or faxed forms.

    Line 6 of Form 8821 with the taxpayer's signature, print name and title, sample values

Why fill Form 8821 on indox

You get the real form, filled in a browser tab, with nothing standing between you and the finished PDF.

  • Fill the form right in your browser, no software to install
  • Free to fill and free to download, with no account
  • The official blank straight from the IRS, not a copy someone retyped
  • Works on a phone, tablet or computer

Where to send it and what to expect

Online

The IRS says online submission at IRS.gov/Submit8821 is faster for certain authorizations. Secure Access is required.

Mail or fax

Send to the IRS office for your region. The instructions list a Memphis, Tennessee address for the eastern states and D.C., Ogden, Utah for the western states, and a Philadelphia International CAF team for foreign and territory addresses. Fax numbers may change, so check IRS.gov/Form8821.

120-day rule for non-tax uses

For uses such as a lender verifying income, the IRS must receive the form within 120 days of your signature date.

Electronic signatures

They are valid only when the form is submitted online.

Revoking

Write REVOKE across the old authorization, sign and date it, or send a written notice with the required details.

Address changes

Use Form 8822 or 8822-B. Form 8821 does not change your address.

Related forms

Who needs to fill out Form 8821?

  • A taxpayer who wants someone to see their IRS records

    For example an accountant, a lender or a family member who needs your tax information.

  • A spouse on a joint return

    The designee is authorized only for the signing taxpayer, so each spouse files a separate form.

  • A business, estate or trust

    Entities list their name, EIN and business address. An estate without its own number uses the decedent's SSN or ITIN.

  • Someone ending a prior authorization

    The form can delete or revoke earlier authorizations.

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Questions about Form 8821

Can a designee talk to the IRS for me?

No. Form 8821 gives access to information only. Use Form 2848 for representation.

Can the designee get my refund?

No. The IRS says a designee cannot endorse or cash your refund check or receive it by direct deposit.

Can I list all years?

No. General references such as all years cause the authorization to be returned.

Does a new form cancel my old one?

Generally yes, unless you check the box on line 5 and attach copies of the prior forms you want to keep.

Can I sign Form 8821 online?

Electronic signatures are valid only when the form is submitted online.

Does it change my address with the IRS?

No. Use Form 8822 for a home address or Form 8822-B for a business address.