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Form 8596A: Quarterly Transmittal of Information Returns for Federal Contracts
Internal Revenue Service Form 8596-A is the Quarterly Transmittal of Information Returns for Federal Contracts, used to send paper Forms 8596 to the IRS. The head of each Federal executive agency or delegate files it, due by April 30 for Q1, July 31 for Q2, October 31 for Q3, and January 31 for Q4.
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IRS Form 8596A - Quarterly Transmittal of Information Returns for Federal Contracts
Internal Revenue Service Form 8596-A is the Quarterly Transmittal of Information Returns for Federal Contracts, used to send paper Forms 8596 to the IRS. The head of each Federal executive agency or delegate files it, due by April 30 for Q1, July 31 for Q2, October 31 for Q3, and January 31 for Q4.
Risk Radar
Scan points- 1Do not file Form 8596‑A before the quarter ends; early filing is prohibited.
- 2Filing the form before the quarter ends, violating the rule not to file early.
- 3Leaving Box 2 blank or entering an incorrect employer identification number.
- 4Omitting the mailing address or title in Box 3b for the tax‑offset contact.
- 5Failing to attach the exact number of Forms 8596 indicated in Box 5.
Plain English
Form 8596-A sends the quarterly contract information returns (Forms 8596) from a Federal agency to the IRS. It must be filed each quarter after the quarter ends. The agency’s head or a designated delegate completes and signs it. The filing deadline depends on the quarter.
Submission Date
- Filing date: 2013-08-22 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 transmitting paper Forms 8596 for a quarter to the IRS.
- Do not use it when filing before the quarter has ended.
- Check Form 8596 instead when reporting details of individual federal contracts.
Form selector
Use this form or another form?
Reporting a single federal contract
Provides contract-level details required by section 6050M
✓ Confirm contract details are complete
Transmitting a quarterly batch of contracts
Aggregates multiple Forms 8596 for the quarter
✓ Verify quarter end date is correct
Filing after a due date that falls on a weekend or holiday
Allows filing on the next business day per IRS rule
✓ Check calendar for next business day
Deadline or filing window
The filing window opens at the end of each calendar quarter. The form must be mailed by the next due date—April 30, July 31, October 31, or January 31—depending on the quarter. No statutory extension is provided; if the due date lands on a weekend or legal holiday, filing may occur on the next business day.
Checklist
What you need before filling it out
Box 1 – Name of Federal executive agency
Agency legal name · Agency records
Box 2 – Employer identification number
EIN number · Agency tax records
Box 3a/3b – Contact name, address, title
Contact person details · Agency personnel directory
Box 4 – Quarter ending date
Date in MMDDYYYY format · Quarter calendar
Box 5 – Number of Forms 8596 transmitted
Count of Forms 8596 · Agency filing log
Before you submit
- 1Verify the agency name in Box 1 matches official records.
- 2Verify the EIN in Box 2 is correct.
- 3Confirm the contact name, address, and title in Boxes 3a and 3b are current.
- 4Enter the quarter‑end date in Box 4 using MMDDYYYY.
- 5Count and enter the number of Forms 8596 in Box 5.
- 6Ensure the head of the agency or delegate signs the Signature line.
- 7Date the signature in the Date field.
- 8Check that filing occurs after the quarter ends and before the due date.
- 9Use the IRS mailing address 230 Murall Drive, P.O. Box 1359, Kearneysville, WV 25430.
- 10Mail the package to the IRS Enterprise Computing Center (ECC‑MTB).
How to file this form
- 1Gather all completed Forms 8596 for the quarter.
- 2Complete Form 8596‑A, entering agency name, EIN, contact info, quarter end date, and count of Forms 8596.
- 3Have the head of the agency or authorized delegate sign and date Form 8596‑A.
- 4Package Form 8596‑A with the accompanying Forms 8596.
- 5Mail the package to IRS Enterprise Computing Center, 230 Murall Drive, P.O. Box 1359, Kearneysville, WV 25430.
- 6Retain a copy of Form 8596‑A and the mailing receipt as proof of filing.
Known limitations
- 1Only Federal executive agencies or their delegates must file Forms 8596 and 8596‑A — Form p.1 — The head of every Federal executive agency or his or her delegate must file Forms 8596 and 8596‑A.
- 2Form 8596‑A is used solely to transmit paper Forms 8596, not electronic filings — Form p.1 — Use Form 8596‑A to transmit paper Forms 8596.
- 3Exactly one Form 8596‑A is prepared per quarter to transmit all Forms 8596 for that quarter — Form p.1 — Prepare only one Form 8596‑A to transmit all Forms 8596 for each quarter.
- 4Filing is prohibited before the quarter ends — Form p.1 — Do not file before the end of the quarter.
- 5Filing deadlines are fixed (April 30, July 31, October 31, January 31) and shift to the next business day if the due date falls on a weekend or legal holiday — Form p.1 — The due dates for each quarter are April 30, July 31, October 31, January 31; if the regular due date falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, file by the next business day.
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.
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Fillable formOpen in Editor->Form 8596-A is revised August 2013; the source directs users to www.irs.gov/form8596 for the latest information.
What changed or needs a fresh check
- Edition date — confirm the revision reads August 2013
- Latest information page — verify the URL www.irs.gov/form8596 is provided
- Mailing address — confirm 230 Murall Drive, P.O. Box 1359, Kearneysville, WV 25430
- Signature — verify the head of the agency or delegate signs and dates the form
- Due date — confirm the appropriate quarter due date per the schedule
Quick Facts
Downloads
After you file
- 1After mailing Form 8596‑A, you retain a signed copy for your records in case the IRS requests verification later.
- 2You should confirm that the IRS address listed matches the current edition, as mailing locations can change in future revisions.
- 3Verify the quarter‑end date entered uses the MMDDYYYY format and aligns with the filing deadline you just met.
- 4Monitor any IRS correspondence for acknowledgment of receipt, and address any follow‑up requests promptly to avoid penalties.
- 5Periodically review the IRS website for updated Form 8596‑A instructions, as filing requirements may be revised annually.
Sources
- SRCForm p.1 — The head of every Federal executive agency or his or her delegate must file Forms 8596 and 8596‑A.
- SRCForm p.1 — Use Form 8596‑A to transmit paper Forms 8596.
- SRCForm p.1 — Prepare only one Form 8596‑A to transmit all Forms 8596 for each quarter.
- SRCForm p.1 — Do not file before the end of the quarter.
- SRCForm p.1 — The due dates for each quarter are April 30, July 31, October 31, January 31; if the regular due date falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, file by the next business day.
- SRCForm p.1 — Box 4 requires the quarter‑ending date in MMDDYYYY format (e.g., 03312013 for March 31, 2013).
- SRCForm p.1 — Box 5 requires the number of Forms 8596 being transmitted.
- SRCForm p.1 — Signature, title, and date must be provided by the head of the agency or delegate.
Common confusion points
Do I need to file if my agency has multiple contracts in the quarter?
I think each contract might need its own transmittal, but the form requires a single transmission per quarter.
→ Verify that all Forms 8596 for the quarter are attached to one Form 8596‑A.
Can I submit Form 8596‑A before the quarter ends?
The instructions mention a filing window, leading me to wonder if early filing is allowed.
→ Ensure the quarter‑ending date entered in Box 4 is after the filing date; do not file before the quarter ends.
Who is authorized to sign Form 8596‑A?
I am unsure whether any employee can sign or if a specific official is required.
→ Confirm that the head of the Federal executive agency or an authorized delegate signs, titles, and dates the form.
What address should I list for the contact person in Boxes 3a‑3b?
I might confuse the IRS mailing address with the agency contact address.
→ Enter the name, mailing address, and title of the person to receive offset requests as required in Boxes 3a‑3b.
If the filing deadline lands on a holiday, what is the correct due date?
The due date list doesn’t explain holiday adjustments.
→ File by the next business day after the holiday, as the instructions state.
Do I need to attach each Form 8596 individually to Form 8596‑A?
I worry each contract return must be physically bound to the transmittal.
→ Attach all Forms 8596 together to the single Form 8596‑A for the quarter.
Workflow map
Related forms and next steps
Before
Current
After
Often used with
⚠ If something goes wrong
- Form 8596 – correct errors on the underlying contract return and submit a new Form 8596‑A.
Questions about IRS Form 8596A
What is IRS Form 8596A used for?
Form 8596-A sends the quarterly contract information returns (Forms 8596) from a Federal agency to the IRS. It must be filed each quarter after the quarter ends. The agency’s head or a designated delegate completes and signs it. The filing deadline depends on the quarter.
Who must file IRS Form 8596A?
The head of every Federal executive agency or his or her delegate must file IRS Form 8596-A.
What information does IRS Form 8596A require?
The form reports the agency’s name and EIN (Boxes 1‑2), the contact person for tax‑offset requests (Boxes 3a‑3b), the quarter‑end date (Box 4), and the count of Forms 8596 being transmitted (Box 5).
When is IRS Form 8596A due?
Form 8596-A is due after each quarter ends: April 30 for the Jan‑Mar quarter, July 31 for Apr‑Jun, October 31 for Jul‑Sep, and January 31 for Oct‑Dec. If the due date falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, file by the next business day.
Where do I file IRS Form 8596A?
File Forms 8596 and 8596‑A with the Internal Revenue Service, Attn: 8596, Enterprise Computing Center at Martinsburg, IRS/ECC‑MTB, 230 Murall Drive, P.O. Box 1359, Kearneysville, West Virginia 25430.
How do I complete IRS Form 8596A?
Enter the agency’s name and EIN in Boxes 1‑2, then provide the contact name, mailing address, and title in Boxes 3a‑3b. Record the quarter‑end date in Box 4 using the MMDDYYYY format and the number of Forms 8596 attached in Box 5. Attach all Forms 8596, sign and date the form, and mail it to the IRS address listed.
What happens if IRS Form 8596A is filed incorrectly?
Under penalties of perjury, false or incomplete information on Form 8596‑A can subject the filing agency to criminal penalties.
Do I need to file if my agency has multiple contracts in the quarter?
I think each contract might need its own transmittal, but the form requires a single transmission per quarter. Verify that all Forms 8596 for the quarter are attached to one Form 8596‑A.
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