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Official form guide
Form 8879-EX: IRS e-file Signature Authorization for Forms 720, 2290, and 8849
IRS Form 8879-EX is the e‑file Signature Authorization used by taxpayers filing Forms 720, 2290, or 8849 to authorize a personal identification number (PIN) and, if needed, an electronic funds withdrawal. The ERO must retain the form for 3 years.
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IRS Form 8879-EX - IRS e-file Signature Authorization for Forms 720, 2290, and 8849
IRS Form 8879-EX is the e‑file Signature Authorization used by taxpayers filing Forms 720, 2290, or 8849 to authorize a personal identification number (PIN) and, if needed, an electronic funds withdrawal. The ERO must retain the form for 3 years.
Risk Radar
Scan points- 1Submitting the return before a signed Form 8879-EX is received.
- 2Failing to check the correct box for the return type in Part I.
- 3Leaving the PIN field blank or entering all zeros.
- 4Signing the form after the electronic return has already been transmitted.
- 5Not returning the signed Form 8879-EX to the ERO before transmission.
Plain English
Form 8879-EX lets a taxpayer give a PIN to sign an electronic excise tax return or refund request. The electronic return originator (ERO) keeps the form and only files the return after it is signed. It also can approve an electronic funds withdrawal.
Submission Date
- Filing date: 2012-07-17 00:00:00
- Preparation window: collect IDs, supporting records, and signatures in advance.
- Final review: verify names, dates, and required fields before submission.
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What this form is for
- Use this form when you and the electronic return originator (ERO) want to use a personal identification number (PIN) to electronically sign an electronic excise tax return or request for refund, and optionally to authorize an electronic funds withdrawal.
- Do not use it when you are not using a PIN to sign your return; you must use a different form.
- Check Form 8453-EX instead when you do not use Form 8879-EX to sign your return.
Form selector
Use this form or another form?
Signing without a PIN
Required when a PIN signature is not used
✓ Verify you are not using a PIN
Filing a paper return for an excise tax
Used when the return is not filed electronically
✓ Confirm the return is paper‑based
Requesting a refund without electronic signature
Needed to authorize refund without a PIN
✓ Ensure refund request lacks a PIN
Deadline or filing window
Not stated in the official source.
Checklist
What you need before filling it out
Name (as shown on Forms 720, 2290, or 8849)
Taxpayer’s name from the excise return · Form 8879-EX Part I
Taxpayer identification number
SSN or EIN from the excise return · Form 8879-EX Part I
Taxpayer’s PIN
Five‑digit personal identification number (not all zeros) · Form 8879-EX Part II
Taxpayer’s signature
Handwritten signature on Part II · Form 8879-EX Part II
ERO’s signature and EFIN/PIN
Six‑digit EFIN and five‑digit PIN · Form 8879-EX Part III
Before you submit
- 1Verify the form displays Rev. December 2010.
- 2Enter the taxpayer’s name exactly as on Forms 720, 2290, or 8849.
- 3Enter the correct taxpayer identification number.
- 4Check the appropriate box in Part I for the return type and record the exact amount from the return.
- 5Enter a five‑digit PIN that is not all zeros, if the taxpayer authorizes it.
- 6Sign and date Part II as the taxpayer.
- 7Provide the completed form to the ERO.
- 8Ensure the ERO signs, dates Part III and enters their six‑digit EFIN and five‑digit PIN.
- 9Retain a copy of the signed Form 8879-EX for your records.
How to file this form
- 1Enter taxpayer’s name and identification number on Part I of Form 8879-EX.
- 2Select the correct return type box and record the exact dollar amount from the return.
- 3Enter the authorized five‑digit PIN (not all zeros) in Part II.
- 4Sign and date Part II as the taxpayer.
- 5Give the completed form to the ERO.
- 6ERO signs, dates Part III and inputs their six‑digit EFIN and PIN.
- 7ERO retains the signed Form 8879-EX for three years.
- 8Return is transmitted to the IRS after the ERO receives the signed form.
Known limitations
- 1The form cannot be used when filing a paper return without a PIN; Form 8453-EX must be used instead.
- 2Do not send Form 8879-EX to the IRS; it is retained by the ERO only.
- 3Form 8879-EX applies only to excise tax returns (Forms 720, 2290, or 8849).
Field map
Compact field-by-field guide
Entity Info
1 items
Name and taxpayer ID of the entity claiming the credit.
Credit Info
1 items
Type of credit or incentive being claimed.
Calculation
2 items
The base amount used to calculate the credit.
Calculated credit amount after applying formulas and limitations.
Certification
1 items
Detailed breakdown supporting the credit calculation.
Signatures
1 items
Sign and date the form.
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Fillable formOpen in Editor->Form 8879-EX shows Rev. December 2010; the source does not indicate a newer edition.
What changed or needs a fresh check
- Edition date — confirm the form shows Rev. December 2010
- Fee — Not stated in the official source
- Mailing address — Not stated in the official source
- Signature — confirm taxpayer’s signature and date are present on Part II
- ERO signature — confirm ERO’s signature, date, and EFIN/PIN are present on Part III
Quick Facts
Downloads
After you file
- 1Keep the signed Form 8879-EX in a secure location.
- 2Retain the form for three years from the return due date or IRS receipt date, whichever is later.
- 3Provide the taxpayer with a copy of the signed form if they request it.
- 4Issue a corrected Form 8879-EX if any changes are made to the return.
- 5Do not mail the form to the IRS unless specifically requested.
Sources
- SRCForm p.1 — revision date reads Rev. December 2010
- SRCForm p.2 — purpose states use when you and the ERO want to use a PIN to electronically sign an excise tax return or request for refund
- SRCForm p.2 — indicates use of Form 8453-EX when not using Form 8879-EX to sign the return
- SRCForm p.2 — ERO must retain the completed Form 8879-EX for 3 years from the return due date or IRS received date, whichever is later
- SRCForm p.1 — PIN must be five numbers other than all zeros
- SRCForm p.1 — taxpayer’s signature and date required on Part II
- SRCForm p.1 — ERO’s signature, date, and six‑digit EFIN plus five‑digit PIN required on Part III
- SRCForm p.2 — do not send this form to the IRS
Common confusion points
Can I mail Form 8879-EX to the IRS?
The form is not to be sent to the IRS.
→ Confirm you are delivering it only to the ERO.
Should I enter -0- for a zero amount on the return?
Instructions say leave the line blank unless the return shows -0-.
→ Verify the original return amount before entering.
Is a PIN of all zeros acceptable?
The PIN must be five numbers other than all zeros.
→ Check that the entered PIN is not 00000.
Do I need to complete more than one line in Part I?
Do not complete more than one line in Part I.
→ Ensure only one box is checked and one amount entered.
Do I need to sign both Part II and Part III?
Taxpayer signs Part II; ERO signs Part III.
→ Confirm both signatures and dates are present.
How long must the ERO keep the form?
Retention period is three years from due date or receipt date.
→ Verify the retention schedule is met.
Workflow map
Related forms and next steps
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Questions about IRS Form 8879-EX
What is IRS Form 8879-EX used for?
Form 8879-EX lets a taxpayer give a PIN to sign an electronic excise tax return or refund request. The electronic return originator (ERO) keeps the form and only files the return after it is signed. It also can approve an electronic funds withdrawal.
Who must file IRS Form 8879-EX?
Taxpayers filing Forms 720, 2290, or 8849 must use Form 8879-EX.
What information does IRS Form 8879-EX require?
Part I records the type of excise return and the amount; Part II records the taxpayer’s PIN and authorization; Part III captures the ERO’s signature and date.
Where do I file IRS Form 8879-EX?
Do not send Form 8879-EX to the IRS; the electronic return originator (ERO) retains it.
How do I complete IRS Form 8879-EX?
The ERO enters the taxpayer’s name and identification number and checks the appropriate box in Part I. The taxpayer then either authorizes the ERO to enter the PIN or enters the PIN themselves in Part II, signs and dates it, and returns the form to the ERO. The ERO signs Part III, dates it, and retains the form for three years before transmitting the return.
What happens if IRS Form 8879-EX is filed incorrectly?
Your return will not be transmitted to the IRS until the ERO receives the signed Form 8879-EX.
Can I mail Form 8879-EX to the IRS?
The form is not to be sent to the IRS. Confirm you are delivering it only to the ERO.
Should I enter -0- for a zero amount on the return?
Instructions say leave the line blank unless the return shows -0-. Verify the original return amount before entering.
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