---
title: IRS Form 8821 Online (Tax Information Authorization)
description: Prepare an unsigned Form 8821 print kit, then hand-sign and submit the tax-information authorization yourself.
seotitle: IRS Form 8821 Online (Tax Information Authorization)
seo-description: Prepare an unsigned Form 8821 print kit, then hand-sign and submit the tax-information authorization yourself.
group: resources
indexable: true
llms: false
schema: webpage
og-image: /forms/8821/thumbnail
og-image-alt: IRS Form 8821 — Tax Information Authorization generated form preview
published: 2026-07-12
updated: 2026-07-12
tags:
  - irs
  - tax
  - tax information authorization
path: /forms/8821
---
# IRS Form 8821 Online (Tax Information Authorization)

Prepare an unsigned Form 8821 print kit, then hand-sign and submit the tax-information authorization yourself.

## How it works
1. **Prepare the form** - Complete the guided customer fields online.
2. **Review the kit** - Preview the unsigned form and customer-assembly instructions.
3. **Receive it** - We print and mail the single-sided preparation kit only to you.
4. **Finish and submit** - Remove the PostalForm cover, add signatures and physical items, verify the current rules, and complete final submission yourself.


## Form summary
Use this preparation-only workflow when a tax professional, lender, or other designee needs access to specified IRS records. PostalForm fills the current form and sends the unsigned kit to the customer, not the IRS. The customer reviews it, hand-signs and dates it, adds required attachments, verifies the current destination, and personally submits it.

## What you need
- Taxpayer name, mailing address, and SSN, ITIN, or EIN
- Each designee's name, address, CAF number (or "None"), and PTIN if they have one
- The type of tax information, tax form numbers, and years or periods covered
- Taxpayer signature and date (designees do not sign Form 8821)
- Hand-sign the printed form after the preparation kit is delivered
- List of additional designees (optional) — Only needed if you're authorizing more than two designees. Include each additional designee's name, address, and CAF/PTIN details.
- Copies of prior authorizations to keep in effect (optional) — Only needed if you checked line 5. Without attached copies, the IRS revokes prior tax information authorizations for the same matters and periods.

## Data collected
- Taxpayer name, mailing address, and taxpayer identification number (SSN, ITIN, or EIN)
- Designee names, addresses, CAF numbers, PTINs, and phone/fax details
- Type of tax information, tax form numbers, and years or periods covered
- Specific-use and prior-authorization elections (lines 4 and 5)
- Printed name and title if signing for an entity; handwritten signature and date are added after delivery

## Where it gets mailed
PostalForm mails the unsigned preparation kit only to the customer or authorized signer at the verified delivery address entered during checkout.

Final submission: PostalForm sends this unsigned kit only to you. It is not an IRS authorization yet. Review it, hand-sign and date it, add required attachments, verify the CAF or case-specific destination, and personally mail, fax, or upload it.

## Packet order
- Customer assembly instruction cover (remove and keep before final submission)
- Prepared unsigned form (signature and reserved third-party fields blank)
- Printed reference attachments

## Common mistakes
- Confusing Form 8821 with Form 2848 — Form 8821 does not authorize anyone to represent you before the IRS.
- Writing "All years" or "All taxes" on line 3 — the IRS requires specific types, forms, and periods.
- Mailing to the wrong CAF unit — the address depends on the state of the taxpayer's mailing address.
- Missing the 120-day rule — for non-tax-matter disclosures (like loan applications), the IRS must receive the form within 120 days of the signature date.
- Signing a blank or incomplete form — the IRS warns against it and returns undated forms.
- Accidentally revoking a prior authorization you wanted to keep by skipping line 5 and its attachment.

## Agent summary
Customer-assembly workflow for Form 8821. Collects taxpayer identity, designees, tax information scope, line 4–5 elections, printed name, title, and routing context. PostalForm leaves the signature and signature date blank and sends the kit only to the customer for final review, signing, attachments, and IRS submission.

## For assistants
This is a human-only customer-assembly workflow and is not available for automated or machine ordering.

- PostalForm delivers an unsigned preparation kit only to the customer or authorized signer.
- The customer must remove and keep the PostalForm cover, complete every physical signature, enclosure, certification, and final-submission step, and verify the current deadline and destination.

## LLM field schema
```json
[
  {
    "id": "taxpayer_kind",
    "label": "Whose tax information is being shared?",
    "type": "select",
    "required": true,
    "meta_class": null,
    "ui_width": null,
    "group_id": "basics",
    "choice_group": null,
    "choice_label": null,
    "visibility": null,
    "compound_subfields": null
  },
  {
    "id": "designee_count",
    "label": "How many designees are you authorizing?",
    "type": "select",
    "required": true,
    "meta_class": null,
    "ui_width": "half",
    "group_id": "basics",
    "choice_group": null,
    "choice_label": null,
    "visibility": null,
    "compound_subfields": null
  },
  {
    "id": "taxpayer_name_address",
    "label": "Taxpayer name and mailing address",
    "type": "textarea",
    "required": true,
    "meta_class": null,
    "ui_width": null,
    "group_id": "taxpayer",
    "choice_group": null,
    "choice_label": null,
    "visibility": null,
    "compound_subfields": null
  },
  {
    "id": "taxpayer_tin",
    "label": "Taxpayer identification number",
    "type": "text",
    "required": true,
    "meta_class": null,
    "ui_width": "half",
    "group_id": "taxpayer",
    "choice_group": null,
    "choice_label": null,
    "visibility": null,
    "compound_subfields": null
  },
  {
    "id": "taxpayer_phone",
    "label": "Daytime phone number",
    "type": "text",
    "required": false,
    "meta_class": "phone",
    "ui_width": "half",
    "group_id": "taxpayer",
    "choice_group": null,
    "choice_label": null,
    "visibility": null,
    "compound_subfields": null
  },
  {
    "id": "is_plan_matter",
    "label": "This concerns an employee benefit plan (Form 5500 series)",
    "type": "checkbox",
    "required": false,
    "meta_class": null,
    "ui_width": null,
    "group_id": "taxpayer",
    "choice_group": null,
    "choice_label": null,
    "visibility": null,
    "compound_subfields": null
  },
  {
    "id": "taxpayer_plan_number",
    "label": "Plan number",
    "type": "text",
    "required": false,
    "meta_class": "number",
    "ui_width": "third",
    "group_id": "taxpayer",
    "choice_group": null,
    "choice_label": null,
    "visibility": {
      "fieldId": "is_plan_matter",
      "operator": "truthy"
    },
    "compound_subfields": null
  },
  {
    "id": "designee1_name_address",
    "label": "Designee name and mailing address",
    "type": "textarea",
    "required": true,
    "meta_class": null,
    "ui_width": null,
    "group_id": "designee-1",
    "choice_group": null,
    "choice_label": null,
    "visibility": null,
    "compound_subfields": null
  },
  {
    "id": "designee1_send_copies",
    "label": "Send this designee copies of IRS notices and communications",
    "type": "checkbox",
    "required": false,
    "meta_class": "plain_checkbox",
    "ui_width": null,
    "group_id": "designee-1",
    "choice_group": null,
    "choice_label": null,
    "visibility": null,
    "compound_subfields": null
  },
  {
    "id": "designee1_caf_number",
    "label": "CAF number",
    "type": "text",
    "required": false,
    "meta_class": null,
    "ui_width": "half",
    "group_id": "designee-1",
    "choice_group": null,
    "choice_label": null,
    "visibility": null,
    "compound_subfields": null
  },
  {
    "id": "designee1_ptin",
    "label": "PTIN (if they have one)",
    "type": "text",
    "required": false,
    "meta_class": null,
    "ui_width": "half",
    "group_id": "designee-1",
    "choice_group": null,
    "choice_label": null,
    "visibility": null,
    "compound_subfields": null
  },
  {
    "id": "designee1_phone",
    "label": "Designee phone number",
    "type": "text",
    "required": false,
    "meta_class": "phone",
    "ui_width": "half",
    "group_id": "designee-1",
    "choice_group": null,
    "choice_label": null,
    "visibility": null,
    "compound_subfields": null
  },
  {
    "id": "designee1_fax",
    "label": "Designee fax number",
    "type": "text",
    "required": false,
    "meta_class": "phone",
    "ui_width": "half",
    "group_id": "designee-1",
    "choice_group": null,
    "choice_label": null,
    "visibility": null,
    "compound_subfields": null
  },
  {
    "id": "designee1_info_changed",
    "label": "Their address, phone, or fax is new since their last IRS authorization",
    "type": "checkbox",
    "required": false,
    "meta_class": null,
    "ui_width": null,
    "group_id": "designee-1",
    "choice_group": null,
    "choice_label": null,
    "visibility": null,
    "compound_subfields": null
  },
  {
    "id": "designee1_new_address",
    "label": "Address is new",
    "type": "checkbox",
    "required": false,
    "meta_class": "plain_checkbox",
    "ui_width": "third",
    "group_id": "designee-1",
    "choice_group": null,
    "choice_label": null,
    "visibility": {
      "fieldId": "designee1_info_changed",
      "operator": "truthy"
    },
    "compound_subfields": null
  },
  {
    "id": "designee1_new_phone",
    "label": "Phone number is new",
    "type": "checkbox",
    "required": false,
    "meta_class": "plain_checkbox",
    "ui_width": "third",
    "group_id": "designee-1",
    "choice_group": null,
    "choice_label": null,
    "visibility": {
      "fieldId": "designee1_info_changed",
      "operator": "truthy"
    },
    "compound_subfields": null
  },
  {
    "id": "designee1_new_fax",
    "label": "Fax number is new",
    "type": "checkbox",
    "required": false,
    "meta_class": "plain_checkbox",
    "ui_width": "third",
    "group_id": "designee-1",
    "choice_group": null,
    "choice_label": null,
    "visibility": {
      "fieldId": "designee1_info_changed",
      "operator": "truthy"
    },
    "compound_subfields": null
  },
  {
    "id": "designee2_name_address",
    "label": "Designee name and mailing address",
    "type": "textarea",
    "required": true,
    "meta_class": null,
    "ui_width": null,
    "group_id": "designee-2",
    "choice_group": null,
    "choice_label": null,
    "visibility": {
      "fieldId": "designee_count",
      "operator": "in",
      "value": [
        "2",
        "More than 2 (attach a list)"
      ]
    },
    "compound_subfields": null
  },
  {
    "id": "designee2_send_copies",
    "label": "Send this designee copies of IRS notices and communications",
    "type": "checkbox",
    "required": false,
    "meta_class": "plain_checkbox",
    "ui_width": null,
    "group_id": "designee-2",
    "choice_group": null,
    "choice_label": null,
    "visibility": {
      "fieldId": "designee_count",
      "operator": "in",
      "value": [
        "2",
        "More than 2 (attach a list)"
      ]
    },
    "compound_subfields": null
  },
  {
    "id": "designee2_caf_number",
    "label": "CAF number",
    "type": "text",
    "required": false,
    "meta_class": null,
    "ui_width": "half",
    "group_id": "designee-2",
    "choice_group": null,
    "choice_label": null,
    "visibility": {
      "fieldId": "designee_count",
      "operator": "in",
      "value": [
        "2",
        "More than 2 (attach a list)"
      ]
    },
    "compound_subfields": null
  },
  {
    "id": "designee2_ptin",
    "label": "PTIN (if they have one)",
    "type": "text",
    "required": false,
    "meta_class": null,
    "ui_width": "half",
    "group_id": "designee-2",
    "choice_group": null,
    "choice_label": null,
    "visibility": {
      "fieldId": "designee_count",
      "operator": "in",
      "value": [
        "2",
        "More than 2 (attach a list)"
      ]
    },
    "compound_subfields": null
  },
  {
    "id": "designee2_phone",
    "label": "Designee phone number",
    "type": "text",
    "required": false,
    "meta_class": "phone",
    "ui_width": "half",
    "group_id": "designee-2",
    "choice_group": null,
    "choice_label": null,
    "visibility": {
      "fieldId": "designee_count",
      "operator": "in",
      "value": [
        "2",
        "More than 2 (attach a list)"
      ]
    },
    "compound_subfields": null
  },
  {
    "id": "designee2_fax",
    "label": "Designee fax number",
    "type": "text",
    "required": false,
    "meta_class": "phone",
    "ui_width": "half",
    "group_id": "designee-2",
    "choice_group": null,
    "choice_label": null,
    "visibility": {
      "fieldId": "designee_count",
      "operator": "in",
      "value": [
        "2",
        "More than 2 (attach a list)"
      ]
    },
    "compound_subfields": null
  },
  {
    "id": "designee2_info_changed",
    "label": "Their address, phone, or fax is new since their last IRS authorization",
    "type": "checkbox",
    "required": false,
    "meta_class": null,
    "ui_width": null,
    "group_id": "designee-2",
    "choice_group": null,
    "choice_label": null,
    "visibility": {
      "fieldId": "designee_count",
      "operator": "in",
      "value": [
        "2",
        "More than 2 (attach a list)"
      ]
    },
    "compound_subfields": null
  },
  {
    "id": "designee2_new_address",
    "label": "Address is new",
    "type": "checkbox",
    "required": false,
    "meta_class": "plain_checkbox",
    "ui_width": "third",
    "group_id": "designee-2",
    "choice_group": null,
    "choice_label": null,
    "visibility": {
      "fieldId": "designee2_info_changed",
      "operator": "truthy"
    },
    "compound_subfields": null
  },
  {
    "id": "designee2_new_phone",
    "label": "Phone number is new",
    "type": "checkbox",
    "required": false,
    "meta_class": "plain_checkbox",
    "ui_width": "third",
    "group_id": "designee-2",
    "choice_group": null,
    "choice_label": null,
    "visibility": {
      "fieldId": "designee2_info_changed",
      "operator": "truthy"
    },
    "compound_subfields": null
  },
  {
    "id": "designee2_new_fax",
    "label": "Fax number is new",
    "type": "checkbox",
    "required": false,
    "meta_class": "plain_checkbox",
    "ui_width": "third",
    "group_id": "designee-2",
    "choice_group": null,
    "choice_label": null,
    "visibility": {
      "fieldId": "designee2_info_changed",
      "operator": "truthy"
    },
    "compound_subfields": null
  },
  {
    "id": "more_designees_attached",
    "label": "I'm attaching a list of additional designees",
    "type": "checkbox",
    "required": true,
    "meta_class": "plain_checkbox",
    "ui_width": null,
    "group_id": "designee-2",
    "choice_group": null,
    "choice_label": null,
    "visibility": {
      "fieldId": "designee_count",
      "operator": "equals",
      "value": "More than 2 (attach a list)"
    },
    "compound_subfields": null
  },
  {
    "id": "line3_access_via_isp",
    "label": "Authorize access to my IRS records via an Intermediate Service Provider",
    "type": "checkbox",
    "required": false,
    "meta_class": "plain_checkbox",
    "ui_width": null,
    "group_id": "tax-info",
    "choice_group": null,
    "choice_label": null,
    "visibility": null,
    "compound_subfields": null
  },
  {
    "id": "info1_type",
    "label": "Type of tax information",
    "type": "text",
    "required": true,
    "meta_class": null,
    "ui_width": null,
    "group_id": "tax-info",
    "choice_group": null,
    "choice_label": null,
    "visibility": null,
    "compound_subfields": null
  },
  {
    "id": "info1_tax_form",
    "label": "Tax form number (if applicable)",
    "type": "text",
    "required": false,
    "meta_class": null,
    "ui_width": "third",
    "group_id": "tax-info",
    "choice_group": null,
    "choice_label": null,
    "visibility": null,
    "compound_subfields": null
  },
  {
    "id": "info1_years",
    "label": "Year(s) or period(s)",
    "type": "text",
    "required": false,
    "meta_class": null,
    "ui_width": "third",
    "group_id": "tax-info",
    "choice_group": null,
    "choice_label": null,
    "visibility": null,
    "compound_subfields": null
  },
  {
    "id": "info1_specific_matters",
    "label": "Specific tax matters (optional)",
    "type": "text",
    "required": false,
    "meta_class": null,
    "ui_width": "third",
    "group_id": "tax-info",
    "choice_group": null,
    "choice_label": null,
    "visibility": null,
    "compound_subfields": null
  },
  {
    "id": "add_info_2",
    "label": "Add another type of tax information",
    "type": "checkbox",
    "required": false,
    "meta_class": null,
    "ui_width": null,
    "group_id": "tax-info",
    "choice_group": null,
    "choice_label": null,
    "visibility": null,
    "compound_subfields": null
  },
  {
    "id": "info2_type",
    "label": "Type of tax information 2",
    "type": "text",
    "required": true,
    "meta_class": null,
    "ui_width": null,
    "group_id": "tax-info",
    "choice_group": null,
    "choice_label": null,
    "visibility": {
      "fieldId": "add_info_2",
      "operator": "truthy"
    },
    "compound_subfields": null
  },
  {
    "id": "info2_tax_form",
    "label": "Tax form number (if applicable)",
    "type": "text",
    "required": false,
    "meta_class": null,
    "ui_width": "third",
    "group_id": "tax-info",
    "choice_group": null,
    "choice_label": null,
    "visibility": {
      "fieldId": "add_info_2",
      "operator": "truthy"
    },
    "compound_subfields": null
  },
  {
    "id": "info2_years",
    "label": "Year(s) or period(s)",
    "type": "text",
    "required": false,
    "meta_class": null,
    "ui_width": "third",
    "group_id": "tax-info",
    "choice_group": null,
    "choice_label": null,
    "visibility": {
      "fieldId": "add_info_2",
      "operator": "truthy"
    },
    "compound_subfields": null
  },
  {
    "id": "info2_specific_matters",
    "label": "Specific tax matters (optional)",
    "type": "text",
    "required": false,
    "meta_class": null,
    "ui_width": "third",
    "group_id": "tax-info",
    "choice_group": null,
    "choice_label": null,
    "visibility": {
      "fieldId": "add_info_2",
      "operator": "truthy"
    },
    "compound_subfields": null
  },
  {
    "id": "add_info_3",
    "label": "Add a third type of tax information",
    "type": "checkbox",
    "required": false,
    "meta_class": null,
    "ui_width": null,
    "group_id": "tax-info",
    "choice_group": null,
    "choice_label": null,
    "visibility": {
      "fieldId": "add_info_2",
      "operator": "truthy"
    },
    "compound_subfields": null
  },
  {
    "id": "info3_type",
    "label": "Type of tax information 3",
    "type": "text",
    "required": true,
    "meta_class": null,
    "ui_width": null,
    "group_id": "tax-info",
    "choice_group": null,
    "choice_label": null,
    "visibility": {
      "fieldId": "add_info_3",
      "operator": "truthy"
    },
    "compound_subfields": null
  },
  {
    "id": "info3_tax_form",
    "label": "Tax form number (if applicable)",
    "type": "text",
    "required": false,
    "meta_class": null,
    "ui_width": "third",
    "group_id": "tax-info",
    "choice_group": null,
    "choice_label": null,
    "visibility": {
      "fieldId": "add_info_3",
      "operator": "truthy"
    },
    "compound_subfields": null
  },
  {
    "id": "info3_years",
    "label": "Year(s) or period(s)",
    "type": "text",
    "required": false,
    "meta_class": null,
    "ui_width": "third",
    "group_id": "tax-info",
    "choice_group": null,
    "choice_label": null,
    "visibility": {
      "fieldId": "add_info_3",
      "operator": "truthy"
    },
    "compound_subfields": null
  },
  {
    "id": "info3_specific_matters",
    "label": "Specific tax matters (optional)",
    "type": "text",
    "required": false,
    "meta_class": null,
    "ui_width": "third",
    "group_id": "tax-info",
    "choice_group": null,
    "choice_label": null,
    "visibility": {
      "fieldId": "add_info_3",
      "operator": "truthy"
    },
    "compound_subfields": null
  },
  {
    "id": "specific_use_not_on_caf",
    "label": "Line 4 — this is for a specific use not recorded on the CAF",
    "type": "checkbox",
    "required": false,
    "meta_class": "plain_checkbox",
    "ui_width": null,
    "group_id": "scope",
    "choice_group": null,
    "choice_label": null,
    "visibility": null,
    "compound_subfields": null
  },
  {
    "id": "keep_prior_authorizations",
    "label": "Line 5 — keep my earlier tax information authorizations in effect",
    "type": "checkbox",
    "required": false,
    "meta_class": "plain_checkbox",
    "ui_width": null,
    "group_id": "scope",
    "choice_group": null,
    "choice_label": null,
    "visibility": null,
    "compound_subfields": null
  },
  {
    "id": "taxpayer_signature",
    "label": "Taxpayer signature",
    "type": "signature",
    "required": true,
    "meta_class": null,
    "ui_width": null,
    "group_id": "signature",
    "choice_group": null,
    "choice_label": null,
    "visibility": null,
    "compound_subfields": null
  },
  {
    "id": "taxpayer_signature_date",
    "label": "Date signed",
    "type": "text",
    "required": true,
    "meta_class": "date",
    "ui_width": "third",
    "group_id": "signature",
    "choice_group": null,
    "choice_label": null,
    "visibility": {
      "fieldId": "taxpayer_signature",
      "operator": "truthy"
    },
    "compound_subfields": null
  },
  {
    "id": "taxpayer_print_name",
    "label": "Print your name",
    "type": "text",
    "required": true,
    "meta_class": "name",
    "ui_width": null,
    "group_id": "signature",
    "choice_group": null,
    "choice_label": null,
    "visibility": null,
    "compound_subfields": null
  },
  {
    "id": "taxpayer_title",
    "label": "Your title",
    "type": "text",
    "required": true,
    "meta_class": null,
    "ui_width": "half",
    "group_id": "signature",
    "choice_group": null,
    "choice_label": null,
    "visibility": {
      "fieldId": "taxpayer_kind",
      "operator": "equals",
      "value": "A business, estate, trust, or other entity"
    },
    "compound_subfields": null
  },
  {
    "id": "caf_region",
    "label": "Which IRS CAF unit serves the taxpayer's state?",
    "type": "select",
    "required": true,
    "meta_class": null,
    "ui_width": null,
    "group_id": "mailing",
    "choice_group": null,
    "choice_label": null,
    "visibility": null,
    "compound_subfields": null
  }
]
```

## Sources
- [IRS — About Form 8821](https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-8821)
- [IRS — Submit Forms 2848 and 8821 online](https://www.irs.gov/tax-professionals/submit-forms-2848-and-8821-online)
- [IRS — Tax Pro Account](https://www.irs.gov/tax-professionals/tax-pro-account)
- [Official instructions](https://www.irs.gov/instructions/i8821)
- [Official PDF](https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f8821.pdf)

## Last verified
2026-07-12


## FAQs
- **Where do I mail IRS Form 8821?** It depends on the taxpayer's address. Most eastern and southern states use Memphis; western states plus Wisconsin use Ogden; territories, APO/FPO, and foreign addresses use the International CAF Team. Verify the current destination after the kit arrives.
- **Does Form 8821 let someone represent me before the IRS?** No. Form 8821 only authorizes them to inspect or receive your confidential tax information. To authorize representation — speaking or acting for you — use Form 2848, Power of Attorney and Declaration of Representative.
- **Can I submit Form 8821 online instead of mailing it?** Yes. It can be uploaded at IRS.gov/Submit8821 (processed in the same first-in, first-out queue as mail and fax), and tax professionals can request tax information authorizations for individuals through the IRS Tax Pro Account, which posts in near real time. Mail or fax remains fully accepted.
- **What is the 120-day rule on Form 8821?** If the authorization is for a purpose other than resolving a tax matter with the IRS — for example, income verification for a loan — the IRS must receive the form within 120 days of the taxpayer's signature date.
- **Does my designee sign Form 8821?** No. Only the taxpayer signs Form 8821. The IRS returns forms that aren't signed and dated by the taxpayer.
- **How long does the IRS take to process Form 8821?** Mailed, faxed, and uploaded forms are processed in the order received — typically within one to two weeks, longer during filing season. Tax Pro Account authorizations for individual taxpayers can post almost immediately.


## Related
- [IRS Form 4506 — Request for Copy of Tax Return](/forms/4506)
- [IRS Form 4506-T — Request for Transcript of Tax Return](/forms/4506-t)
- [IRS Form 4506T-EZ — Short Form 1040 Transcript Request](/forms/4506-t-ez)
- [IRS Form 4868 — Automatic Tax-Filing Extension](/forms/4868)
- [IRS Form 8822](/forms/8822)
- [IRS Form 8822-B Business Change of Address Packet](/forms/8822-b)