Tax Pro Account

To complete an authorization with Tax Pro Account, the individual taxpayer must have access to an IRS online account.

You can submit a request before the taxpayer creates an online account. Once the taxpayer creates an account and signs in, they can find your request in their Authorizations.

The taxpayer address you enter in Tax Pro Account must match our records. Have the taxpayer check a recent notice from the IRS to confirm the name and address we have on file.

The address must be in a U.S. state or the District of Columbia. Use approved abbreviations, such as "St" for street and "Ave" for avenue. See Approved Abbreviations.

If the taxpayer’s address has changed, ask them to notify us.  

To request authorizations with Tax Pro Account, you must have a CAF number.

You can get a CAF number the first time you submit a third-party authorization with Forms 2848 or 8821. After we process the authorization, we’ll send you a letter with your assigned CAF number. You can then use the number to submit authorization requests with Tax Pro Account.

If you’re a tax professional and can’t locate your CAF number, call the Practitioner Priority Service at 866-860-4259. An assistor can help you retrieve your CAF number once you verify your identity.  

The address you enter in Tax Pro Account must match what’s on the CAF file at the IRS.

To update your CAF address, sign and date a written notification of address change. Mail or fax it to the location where you filed the Form 2848 or Form 8821.

When you link your CAF number in Tax Pro Account, you associate it with your Tax Identification Number in the CAF database.

Benefits:

You can do more in Tax Pro Account when you link your CAF number:

• View all your active authorizations for individuals and businesses recorded on the CAF
• Withdraw in real-time from any active authorization

If you choose not to link your CAF number, you can still request POA and TIA with Tax Pro Account.

How it works:

The CAF number must be assigned to you as an individual and only you can link it. If you have more than one CAF number, you may link them all.

Linking your CAF number is a one-time process. Once your CAF number is linked, you can't unlink it.

To link your CAF number, go to your Profile in Tax Pro Account, select Link a CAF number and follow the 2-step identity verification process.

Tax Pro Account shows the historical status of requests you submit through the tool.

Generally, your approved authorization request should display in Tax Pro Account within 2 business days after the taxpayer signs and authorizes your request.

Tax Pro Account won't display a status if:

• ​​​​The taxpayer approved the authorization, but we haven't processed it yet
• The taxpayer approved the authorization, but the processing failed
• The taxpayer rejected the authorization
• The taxpayer revokes or the tax professional withdraws the authorization

For information on your request status before processing is complete, contact the taxpayer.

Tax Pro Account lets you view all of your active authorizations on the CAF when you link your CAF number. This includes active POAs and TIAs from individuals and business entities submitted with forms and through Tax Pro Account.

If you choose not to link your CAF number, you can view only active POAs and TIAs submitted through Tax Pro Account.

You can withdraw an authorization in real-time with electronic signature in Tax Pro Account.

Once you withdraw, the authorization is immediately and permanently removed from the CAF database.

To request authorization for more than one representative for the same tax matters and periods:

• Each representative must log in with their account to submit their own request.
• Only 2 representatives may receive copies of a taxpayer’s IRS notices and communications.
• The taxpayer must authorize all representatives on the same day.

If you request authorizations for overlapping tax periods and tax matters, the subsequent overlapping requests will not process if the taxpayer approves them on the same day. 

To ensure proper processing, you can review and manage your authorization requests in Tax Pro Account. 

If you need more options, submit Forms 2848 and 8821.

Tax Pro Account doesn’t require forms and processes authorizations within 2 business days after the taxpayer approves your request.

Submit Forms 2848 and 8821 Online lets you securely upload forms and processes authorizations on a first-in, first-out basis.