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Form 8878 (2023) Page 2
General Instructions ERO Responsibilities Your application for extension of time to
Section references are to the Internal The ERO will do the following. file won’t be transmitted to the IRS until the
ERO receives your signed Form 8878.
Revenue Code unless otherwise noted. 1. Enter the name(s) and social security
Future developments. For the latest number(s) of the taxpayer(s) at the top of Important Notes for EROs
information about developments related to the form. • Don’t send Form 8878 to the IRS unless
Form 8878 and its instructions, such as 2. Complete Part I by entering the requested to do so. Retain the completed
legislation enacted after they were required information from the taxpayer(s) Form 8878 for 3 years from the return due
published, go to www.irs.gov/Form8878. 2023 extension form. date or IRS received date, whichever is
Purpose of Form 3. Enter or generate, if authorized by the later. Form 8878 may be retained
taxpayer, the taxpayer’s PIN and enter it in electronically in accordance with the
Complete Form 8878 (a) when Form 4868 the boxes provided in Part II. recordkeeping guidelines in Rev. Proc.
is filed using the Practitioner PIN method, 97-22, which is on page 9 of Internal
or (b) when the taxpayer authorizes the 4. Enter on the authorization line in Part II Revenue Bulletin 1997-13 at
electronic return originator (ERO) to enter the ERO firm name (not the name of the www.irs.gov/pub/irs-irbs/irb97-13.pdf.
or generate the taxpayer’s personal individual preparing the return) if the ERO is
identification number (PIN) on Form 4868 authorized to enter the taxpayer’s PIN. • Confirm the identity of the taxpayer(s).
or Form 2350. See the chart below for 5. After completing items 1 through 4, • Provide the taxpayer with a copy of the
more details. give the taxpayer Form 8878 for signed Form 8878 for his or her records
Form 8878 isn’t an application completion and review by hand delivery, upon request.
for an extension of time to file. U.S. mail, private delivery service, email, • Provide the taxpayer with a corrected
▲! Taxpayers must file the Internet website, or fax. copy of Form 8878 if changes are made to
CAUTION appropriate application for 6. Enter the 20-digit Submission the extension form (for example, based on
extension of time to file (Form 4868 or Identification Number (SID) assigned to the taxpayer review).
Form 2350). taxpayer’s extension form, or associate • Enter the taxpayer’s PIN(s) on the input
Form 9325, Acknowledgement and General screen only if the taxpayer has authorized
When and How To Complete Information for Taxpayers Who File Returns you to do so. If married filing jointly, it is
Use this chart to determine when and how Electronically, with Form 8878 after filing. If acceptable for one spouse to authorize the
to complete Form 8878. Form 9325 is used to provide the SID, it is ERO to enter his or her PIN, and for the
NOT required to be physically attached to other spouse to enter his or her own PIN. It
IF e-filing . . . THEN . . . Form 8878. However, it must be kept in isn’t acceptable for a taxpayer to select or
• Form 4868, and Don’t complete Form accordance with published retention enter the PIN of an absent spouse.
• Authorizing an electronic 8878. requirements for Form 8878. See • If the taxpayer is making a payment by
funds withdrawal, and Pub. 4164, Modernized e-File (MeF) Guide electronic funds withdrawal for Form 4868
• The taxpayer is entering for Software Developers and Transmitters, and the ERO isn’t using the Practitioner
his or her own PIN, and
• The ERO isn’t using the for more details. PIN method, the ERO must enter the
Practitioner PIN method You must receive the completed taxpayer’s date of birth and either the
• Form 4868, and Don’t complete Form and signed Form 8878 from the adjusted gross income amount or the PIN,
• The taxpayer isn’t 8878. ▲! taxpayer before the application or both, from the taxpayer’s originally filed
authorizing an electronic CAUTION for extension of time to file is prior year tax return. This information is
funds withdrawal transmitted (or released for transmission). entered when the return is prepared, and is
• Form 4868, and Complete Form 8878, For additional information, see Pub. used by the IRS to authenticate the
• Authorizing an electronic Parts I and II. taxpayer. Don’t use an amount from an
funds withdrawal, and 1345.
amended return or a math error correction
• Authorizing the ERO to made by the IRS.
enter or generate the Taxpayer Responsibilities
taxpayer’s PIN, and Taxpayers have the following • Complete Part III only if you are filing
• The ERO isn’t using the responsibilities. Form 4868 using the Practitioner PIN
Practitioner PIN method method.
• Form 2350, and Complete Form 8878, 1. Verify the accuracy of the prepared
• Authorizing the ERO to Parts I and II. application for an extension of time to file. • EROs can sign the form using a rubber
stamp, mechanical device (such as a
enter or generate the 2. Check the appropriate box in Part II to signature pen), or computer software
taxpayer’s PIN authorize the ERO to enter or generate program. See Notice 2007-79, 2007-42
• Form 4868, and Complete Form 8878, your PIN or to do it yourself. I.R.B. 809, available at www.irs.gov/pub/
• Authorizing an electronic Parts I, II, and III. 3. Indicate or verify your PIN when irs-irbs/irb07-42.pdf for more information.
funds withdrawal, and authorizing the ERO to enter or generate it • For more information, go to
Practitioner PIN method
• The ERO is using the (the PIN must be five digits other than all www.irs.gov/Efile.
zeros).
4. Sign and date Form 8878. Taxpayers
must sign Form 8878 by handwritten
signature, or electronic signature if
supported by computer software.
5. Return the completed Form 8878 to
the ERO by hand delivery, U.S. mail,
private delivery service, email, Internet
website, or fax.
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