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Form 13533: VITA/TCE Partner Sponsor Agreement
Treasury - Internal Revenue Service Form 13533 is the VITA/TCE Partner Sponsor Agreement, which partners use to commit to ethical standards for tax preparation programs. This agreement requires adherence to key principles like keeping taxpayer information confidential.
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IRS Form 13533 - VITA/TCE Partner Sponsor Agreement
Treasury - Internal Revenue Service Form 13533 is the VITA/TCE Partner Sponsor Agreement, which partners use to commit to ethical standards for tax preparation programs. This agreement requires adherence to key principles like keeping taxpayer information confidential.
Risk Radar
Scan points- 1Failure to agree to all key principles (a-e) voids commitment to ethical conduct standards.
- 2Failing to keep confidential information provided by taxpayers during preparation.
- 3Not protecting physical or electronic data gathered both during and after filing season.
- 4Using taxpayer data without securing the taxpayer's consent for other purposes.
- 5Forgetting to delete all taxpayer information from computers after filing season concludes.
Plain English
This form makes a partner officially agree to support the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) or Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs. By signing, the partner promises to follow strict rules regarding confidentiality and ethical conduct while helping prepare tax returns. It also confirms that all volunteers will adhere to specific standards.
Submission Date
- Filing date: 2025-10-17 22:10:13
- 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 are acting as a sponsor for the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) or Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) volunteer tax return preparation programs.
- Do not use this form if you are an individual volunteer who is not sponsoring, but rather participating in the program.
- Check Form 13615 instead when a specific volunteer needs to complete the required standards of conduct training.
Form selector
Use this form or another form?
Sponsoring entity has multiple locations
The form requires space for up to six addresses, implying potential multi-site operation.
✓ Check fields 1 through 6 on Form 13533
Not stated in the official source
Need to document a specific volunteer's agreement
This is the required form volunteers sign and date to agree to the standards of conduct.
✓ Check Section 2 signing requirements.
Sponsor needs to confirm compliance with privacy rules
The sponsor must agree to follow the Statement of Assurance concerning Civil Rights Compliance listed in this publication.
✓ Review the agreement text on Form 13533.
Deadline or filing window
The agreement is effective immediately upon signing. There are no specific filing deadlines listed, but the IRS may terminate this agreement at any time for disreputable conduct that impacts taxpayers’ confidence in VITA/TCE Programs.
Checklist
What you need before filling it out
Sponsor Name
The name of the sponsoring entity · Field 1
Confidentiality Obligation
Partners/volunteers must keep confidential information provided for tax return preparation · Key Principles listed on p.1
Data Deletion Requirement
Taxpayer information must be deleted from all computers after filing season activities are completed · Key Principles listed on p.1
Sponsor Signature/Date
The official signature and date of the sponsor · Bottom section of Form 13533
Volunteer Training Confirmation
All volunteers must complete the volunteer standards of conduct training · Agreement clause (b) on p.1
Before you submit
- 1Confirm that the sponsor's name is accurately listed in Field 1.
- 2Verify that a complete street address, city, state, and zip code are provided (Fields 2-5).
- 3Ensure the sponsoring entity provides a valid telephone number (Field 7) and email address.
- 4Confirm that all volunteers participating will complete the volunteer standards of conduct training.
- 5Verify that the sponsor has read, understood, and followed the Statement of Assurance Concerning Civil Rights Compliance from Publication 4299.
- 6Check that a partner designated official (Site Coordinator, partner, instructor, or IRS contact) signs and dates Form 13615.
- 7Confirm the sponsor has signed and dated Form 13533 itself.
How to file this form
- 1Complete Fields 1 through 7 with the sponsor's official information (name, address, phone, email).
- 2Review Form 13615 alongside this agreement to ensure all volunteer training requirements are met.
- 3Secure signatures and dates on both Form 13533 by the sponsor and Form 13615 by a designated official.
- 4Submit the signed Form 13533, along with any required completed Form 13615s, to your relevant IRS contact or site coordinator.
Known limitations
- 1Partners and volunteers must secure a taxpayer’s consent before using or disclosing their data for purposes other than current, prior, or subsequent year tax return preparation.
- 2Partners and volunteers must delete taxpayer information on all computers (both partner owned and IRS loaned) after filing season tax return preparation activities are completed.
- 3The agreement applies to both partners and site coordinators, who are expected to keep confidential any personal volunteer information provided.
Field map
Compact field-by-field guide
General Info
2 items
Full legal name and taxpayer identification number (SSN or EIN).
Current mailing address.
Details
2 items
Complete all applicable sections of this form according to the official IRS instructions.
Enter the relevant dollar amount if this form involves tax calculation.
Certification
1 items
Read and acknowledge any certifications required by this form.
Signatures
1 items
Sign and date. Unsigned forms cannot be processed.
Almost done reviewing the fields?
Fillable formOpen in Editor->The current edition is Revision 10-2025, dated October 2025. The source does not point to a specific page for the absolute latest information but confirms this revision date.
What changed or needs a fresh check
- Edition date — confirm the revision reads 10-2025
- Catalog Number — confirm it is 38129E
- Mailing address — Not stated in the official source (but fields for address are provided)
- Signature — ensure both Sponsor and Date are completed before sending
Quick Facts
Downloads
After you file
- 1Keep a copy of the signed Form 13533 (VITA/TCE Partner Sponsor Agreement).
- 2Ensure all volunteers participating at your return preparation site complete the required Volunteer Standards of Conduct training.
- 3Confirm that all volunteers sign and date Form 13615, agreeing to the Volunteer Standards of Conduct.
- 4Verify that a partner designated official (Site Coordinator, partner, instructor or IRS contact) validates and signs Form 13615.
Sources
- SRCCatalog Number 38129E and revision date are listed on Form 13533 (Rev. 10-2025) — Instructions p.1.
- SRCThe agreement is the VITA/TCE Partner Sponsor Agreement, issued by the Department of the Treasury - Internal Revenue Service — Instructions p.1.
- SRCPartners and volunteers must keep confidential the information provided for tax return preparation — Instructions p.1.
- SRCPartners and volunteers must protect physical and electronic data gathered during and after filing season — Instructions p.1.
- SRCThe IRS legal right to ask for information is 5 U.S.C. 301 — Instructions p.1.
- SRCThe response to provide the requested information on Form 13533 is voluntary, but required if assistance in programs is desired — Instructions p.1.
Common confusion points
What must be kept confidential?
Partners and volunteers must keep confidential the information provided for tax return preparation.
→ Check Section p.1 under 'key principles'.
When must data be deleted?
Taxpayer information must be deleted on all computers (partner owned or IRS loaned) after filing season activities are completed.
→ Verify this requirement on Form 13533, page 1.
Who needs to sign what?
The partner signs Form 13533; the designated official validates and signs Form 13615.
→ Review the agreement signature block (Form 13533) and the commitment section on page 1.
What if you don't provide information?
If a sponsor does not provide the requested information, the IRS may not be able to use their assistance in the VITA/TCE programs.
→ Check the paragraph describing voluntary response on Form 13533, page 1.
Does this apply to everyone?
The agreement applies to partners and volunteers; site coordinators are expected to keep confidential volunteer information.
→ Read the list of required adherence parties within the key principles section on page 1.
What is the penalty for not following rules?
The IRS may terminate the agreement immediately for disreputable conduct that could impact taxpayer confidence in VITA/TCE Programs operated by the sponsor or their coalition members.
→ Refer to the termination clause at the bottom of Form 13533, page 1.
Workflow map
Related forms and next steps
Before
Current
After
Often used with
⚠ If something goes wrong
- If the IRS terminates this agreement, it is added to a volunteer registry for disreputable conduct.
Questions about IRS Form 13533
What is IRS Form 13533 used for?
This form makes a partner officially agree to support the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) or Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs. By signing, the partner promises to follow strict rules regarding confidentiality and ethical conduct while helping prepare tax returns. It also confirms that all volunteers will adhere to specific standards.
Who must file IRS Form 13533?
Partners must file IRS Form 13533. This agreement is signed by partners who are sponsoring participation in the VITA/TCE Programs.
What information does IRS Form 13533 require?
The form collects the sponsor's identifying information, including their name (Line 1), street address (Line 2), city (Line 3), state (Line 4), and zip code (Line 5). It also captures a telephone number (Line 7) and email address.
When is IRS Form 13533 due?
The form does not specify a filing deadline, but the agreement is effective immediately upon signing. The IRS may terminate this agreement at any time for disreputable conduct.
How do I complete IRS Form 13533?
The completion sequence requires filling out lines 1 through 7 with the sponsor's details. The partner must then sign and date the form. Finally, the signature block includes fields for printing the name and title before submission.
What happens if IRS Form 13533 is filed incorrectly?
If a partner engages in disreputable conduct, the IRS may terminate this agreement immediately and add the sponsor to a volunteer registry, impacting taxpayers’ confidence in the VITA/TCE Programs.
What must be kept confidential?
Partners and volunteers must keep confidential the information provided for tax return preparation. Check Section p.1 under 'key principles'.
When must data be deleted?
Taxpayer information must be deleted on all computers (partner owned or IRS loaned) after filing season activities are completed. Verify this requirement on Form 13533, page 1.
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