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Form 8878-A (Rev. 12-2008) Page 2
Purpose of Form Authorized Person ● See Pub. 3112 and Pub. 4163 for
more information. Also, go to
Form 8878-A is not an Responsibilities www.irs.gov/efile and select Tax
application for an extension The authorized person will: Professionals.
of time to file. Taxpayers
● Check the appropriate box in Part II to
CAUTION must file Form 7004, either authorize the ERO to enter the Paperwork Reduction Act Notice. We
Application for Automatic Extension of authorized person’s PIN or to choose to ask for the information on this form to
Time To File Certain Business Income enter it in person; carry out the Internal Revenue laws of
Tax, Information, and Other Returns. the United States. You are required to
A person authorized to sign an ● Indicate or verify his or her PIN when give us the information. We need it to
electronic funds withdrawal authorization authorizing the ERO to enter it (the PIN ensure that you are complying with
and an electronic return originator (ERO) must be five numbers other than all these laws and to allow us to figure and
use Form 8878-A to use a personal zeros); collect the right amount of tax.
identification number (PIN) to authorize ● Sign, date, and enter his or her title in You are not required to provide the
an electronic funds withdrawal of the Part II; and information requested on a form that is
balance due on an electronic Form Return the completed Form 8878-A to subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act
●
7004. the ERO by hand delivery, U.S. mail, unless the form displays a valid OMB
Do not send this form to the IRS. private delivery service, or fax. control number. Books or records
The ERO must retain Form 8878-A. relating to a form or its instructions must
The taxpayer’s Form 7004 with an be retained as long as their contents
ERO Responsibilities electronic funds withdrawal authorization may become material in the
The ERO will: will not be transmitted to the IRS until administration of any Internal Revenue
the ERO receives the signed Form law. Generally, tax returns and return
● Enter the name and identifying number 8878-A. information are confidential, as required
of the taxpayer at the top of the form; by Internal Revenue Code section 6103.
Important Notes for EROs
● Complete Part I using the amounts
(zeros may be entered when appropriate) ● Do not send Form 8878-A to the IRS The time needed to complete this
from the taxpayer’s Form 7004; unless requested to do so. Retain the form will vary depending on individual
completed Form 8878-A for 3 years from circumstances.
● Enter on the authorization line in Part the return due date or IRS received date,
The estimated average time is:
II the ERO firm name (not the name of whichever is later. Form 8878-A can be
the individual preparing the return) if the retained electronically in accordance Recordkeeping 3 hrs., 21 min.
ERO is authorized to enter the with the recordkeeping guidelines in Learning about the
authorized person’s PIN; Rev. Proc. 97-22, which is on page 9 of law or the form 6 min.
● Give the authorized person Form Internal Revenue Bulletin 1997-13 at Preparing the form 9 min.
8878-A for completion and review—this www.irs.gov/pub/irs-irbs/irb97-13.pdf.
can be done by hand delivery, U.S. mail, ● You should confirm the identity of the If you have comments concerning the
private delivery service, email, or Internet authorized person. For additional accuracy of these time estimates or
website; and guidance, see Pub. 3112, IRS e-file suggestions for making this form
Application and Participation. simpler, we would be happy to hear
● Complete Part III including a signature ● Enter the authorized person’s PIN on from you. You can write to Internal
and date. Revenue Service, Tax Products
the input screen only if that person has Coordinating Committee,
You must receive the authorized you to do so. SE:W:CAR:MP:T:T:SP, 1111 Constitution
completed and signed Form Ave. NW, IR-6526, Washington, DC
8878-A from the authorized ● Provide the authorized person with a
CAUTION person before an electronic copy of the signed Form 8878-A upon 20224.
Form 7004 with an electronic request. Do not send the form to this address.
funds withdrawal authorization is Instead, keep it for your records.
transmitted (or released for transmission). ● Provide the authorized person with a
corrected copy of Form 8878-A if
changes are made to Form 7004 (for
example, based on the authorized
person’s review).
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