Tax pros can use their IRS Tax Pro Account to simplify authorization requests

IRS Tax Tip 2023-24, February 27, 2023

Tax Pro Account lets tax professionals submit an authorization request to a taxpayer's IRS Online Account. This includes both power of attorney and tax information authorization requests. The taxpayers can then review, approve and sign the request electronically.

Using Tax Pro Account for authorizations:

To start an authorization in Tax Pro Account, tax professionals must enter their personal information and their clients' personal information exactly as it appears on IRS tax records.

  • Taxpayers log into IRS Online Account and then simply check a box as their signature and submit the authorization request to the IRS.
  • The signed authorization will go directly to the IRS Centralized Authorization File database and won't require manual processing.
  • Most requests immediately appear on the list of approved authorizations in the taxpayer's Online Account and the tax professional's Tax Pro Account. Some authorizations may take up to 48 hours.

Other things to know:

  • The digital authorization process is available only to individual taxpayers currently, not to businesses or other entities.
  • Tax professionals must be in good standing with the IRS and already have a Centralized Authorization File number before making requests through Tax Pro Account. The Centralized Authorization File contains taxpayer and taxpayer representative records. This file lists the tax modules and the specific representative to whom the taxpayer has granted authority.
  • Valid Power of Attorney Tax Information Authorization forms include Forms 2848, 8821 and 706.
  • Later this year, IRS will add new features to Tax Pro Account to make it even easier to use for both tax professionals and their clients.
  • Currently, the digital authorization process feature is available only to taxpayers with addresses in the United States. 

More information:

Subscribe to IRS Tax Tips