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Form 8596A: Quarterly Transmittal of Information Returns for Federal Contracts
IRS Form 8596-A is a Quarterly Transmittal of Information Returns for Federal Contracts, used to transmit paper Forms 8596 to the IRS. The head of every Federal executive agency or their delegate must file it by the due date.
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IRS Form 8596A - Quarterly Transmittal of Information Returns for Federal Contracts
IRS Form 8596-A is a Quarterly Transmittal of Information Returns for Federal Contracts, used to transmit paper Forms 8596 to the IRS. The head of every Federal executive agency or their delegate must file it by the due date.
Risk Radar
Scan points- 1Ensure the signature is provided by the Head of Agency or their official Delegate.
- 2Filing without entering the correct Federal executive agency name in Box 1.
- 3Using an incorrect Employer Identification Number (EIN) for the agency in Box 2.
- 4Omitting the title of the contact person listed in Box 3a.
- 5Entering the quarter end date in Box 4 in an incorrect format (e.g., not MMDDYYYY).
Plain English
This form tells the Internal Revenue Service that an agency has filed its quarterly tax information reports (Form 8596) for federal contracts. By submitting Form 8596-A, you are packaging all those individual reports together for a specific three-month period. This ensures the IRS receives timely records of your contract earnings.
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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Glossary Terms
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What this form is for
- Use this form when transmitting paper Forms 8596, Information Return for Federal Contracts, to the Internal Revenue Service on a quarterly basis.
- Do not use it when submitting individual Forms 8596 outside of a quarterly transmittal; prepare only one Form 8596-A to transmit all Forms 8596 for each quarter.
- Check Form 8596 instead when needing more information about the underlying Information Return itself.
Form selector
Use this form or another form?
Reporting a single quarterly filing
This form is used to transmit multiple Forms 8596 together for one quarter.
✓ Check Box 5 (Number of Forms 8596 transmitted)
Needing details on the contract reporting structure
Provides more information regarding the filing requirements and purpose of this transmittal form.
✓ Check Section 1 (Name of Federal executive agency) for context
Filing a single return that covers one quarter's worth of contracts
This form acts as the cover sheet to transmit all related Forms 8596 for that specific period.
✓ Confirm Box 4 matches the end date of the covered quarter
Deadline or filing window
The filing deadline is determined by the quarter end date. For example, if the quarter ends March 31, the due date is April 30. If this regular due date falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, the form must be filed by the next business day.
Checklist
What you need before filling it out
Form 8596-A (Overall)
Must be prepared pursuant to requirements of section 6050M · Not stated in the official source
Box 1 & 2 (Agency Info)
Name and Employer Identification Number (EIN) of the Federal executive agency · Form 8596-A
Box 3a & 3b (Contact Person)
Name, mailing address, and title of the person IRS can contact regarding a tax offset request · Form 8596-A
Box 4 (Quarter End Date)
The specific date the quarter ended (e.g., 03312013 for March 31, 2013) · Form 8596-A
Box 5 (Number of Forms)
The total number of accompanying Forms 8596 being transmitted with this Form 8596-A · Form 8596-A
Before you submit
- 1Confirm the revision date on the form reads August 2013.
- 2Verify that Box 1 and Box 2 list the correct name and EIN of the Federal executive agency.
- 3Check that Box 3a includes the complete mailing address for tax offset requests.
- 4Ensure Box 4 reflects the exact end date of the quarter being reported (e.g., 06302013).
- 5Verify that Box 5 accurately states the total count of Forms 8596 attached to this transmittal.
- 6Confirm the signature field is completed by the head or delegate of the Federal executive agency.
- 7Ensure the form is dated on the date it is being submitted.
How to file this form
- 1Complete Box 1 and Box 2 by entering the name and EIN of the Federal executive agency that entered into the contract.
- 2Fill out Boxes 3a and 3b with the contact person's name, address, and title for tax offset requests.
- 3Enter the quarter-ending date in Box 4 using the specified numeric format (MMDDYYYY).
- 4Record the total quantity of accompanying Forms 8596 in Box 5.
- 5Sign and date the form as the head or delegate of the Federal executive agency.
- 6Mail the completed Form 8596-A along with all attached Forms 8596 to IRS Attn: 8596, Enterprise Computing Center at Martinsburg.
Known limitations
- 1Only one Form 8596-A must be prepared to transmit all Forms 8596 for each quarter.
- 2The form is used specifically to transmit paper Forms 8596, Information Return for Federal Contracts, to the Internal Revenue Service.
- 3If a central office handles filing for an entire agency, only one name and EIN should be used when filling out Boxes 1 and 2 of Form 8596-A.
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 August 2013 (Rev. 8-2013). The official source directs users to www.irs.gov/form8596 for the latest information regarding developments related to Form 8596-A.
What changed or needs a fresh check
- Edition date — confirm the revision reads August 2013 (Rev. 8-2013)
- Fee — Not stated in the official source
- Mailing address — verify the IRS/ECC-MTB address is correct for filing.
- Signature — ensure the head of the Federal executive agency or delegate signs and dates it.
Quick Facts
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After you file
- 1The head of the Federal executive agency or their delegate must sign and date the form.
- 2Keep a copy of the filed Form 8596-A for records.
- 3Use the current edition, which is Revision August 2013 (Rev. 8-2013).
- 4For the latest information on developments related to Form 8596-A and its instructions, check www.irs.gov/form8596.
Sources
- SRCInstructions p.1 — The purpose of Form 8596-A is to transmit paper Forms 8596 to the Internal Revenue Service.
- SRCInstructions p.1 — One Form 8596-A must be prepared to transmit all Forms 8596 for each quarter.
- SRCInstructions p.1 — The due date for the January, February, March quarter is April 30 (or the next business day).
- SRCInstructions p.1 — Box 2 requires entering the Employer identification number (EIN) of the Federal executive agency.
- SRCInstructions p.1 — For the quarterly period ending March 31, 2013, Box 4 must contain 03312013.
- SRCInstructions p.1 — The head of every Federal executive agency or delegate must sign and date Form 8596-A.
Common confusion points
What do I enter in Box 4 (Quarter ending date)?
The source gives examples of how to format the date for various quarters.
→ For example, use 03312013 for the quarter ending March 31.
Who must sign Form 8596-A?
The head of the Federal executive agency or their delegate must sign and date the form.
→ Confirm the signature block is completed by an authorized official.
How do I know when to file?
Do not file before the end of the quarter; specific due dates are listed for each three-month period.
→ Check the table to ensure you meet the exact quarterly deadline.
What if the due date falls on a weekend or holiday?
If the regular due date is a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, the filing must occur by the next business day.
→ Do not wait until the following Monday if the due date was Friday; file on the next business day.
Where exactly do I send this form?
File it with Internal Revenue Service at Attn: 8596, Enterprise Computing Center at Martinsburg...
→ Verify the full mailing address is correctly transcribed onto the envelope/return cover.
What if my agency has multiple offices?
If one central office files for the entire agency, only use that single name and EIN in Boxes 1 and 2.
→ Ensure all other identifying information (like Box 3a) reflects the agency as a whole.
Workflow map
Related forms and next steps
Before
Current
After
Often used with
⚠ If something goes wrong
- Form 8596-A (Rev. August 2013) — If you have questions about this specific revision, consult it.
Questions about IRS Form 8596A
What is IRS Form 8596A used for?
This form tells the Internal Revenue Service that an agency has filed its quarterly tax information reports (Form 8596) for federal contracts. By submitting Form 8596-A, you are packaging all those individual reports together for a specific three-month period. This ensures the IRS receives timely records of your contract earnings.
Who must file IRS Form 8596A?
The head of every Federal executive agency or his or her delegate must file Forms 8596 and 8596-A to report federal contracts.
What information does IRS Form 8596A require?
Form 8596-A collects the name, EIN, and contact information for the Federal executive agency (Boxes 1 & 2), along with details of the person who can be contacted regarding tax offsets (Boxes 3a & 3b). Box 4 records the quarter end date, and Box 5 states how many Forms 8596 are being transmitted.
When is IRS Form 8596A due?
The due dates vary by quarter: January, February, March is April 30; April, May, June is July 31; July, August, September is October 31; and October, November, December is January 31. Filing must occur after the end of the relevant quarter.
Where do I file IRS Form 8596A?
Forms 8596 and 8596-A are filed with the Internal Revenue Service at Attn: 8596, Enterprise Computing Center at Martinsburg (IRS/ECC-MTB), located at 230 Murall Drive, P.O. Box 1359, Kearneysville, West Virginia 25430.
How do I complete IRS Form 8596A?
First, fill in Boxes 1 and 2 with the Federal executive agency's name and EIN. Then, enter the contact person's name and title in Boxes 3a and 3b. Box 4 requires entering the quarter end date (e.g., 03312013). Finally, the head of the agency or delegate must sign and date the form.
What happens if IRS Form 8596A is filed incorrectly?
Filing Form 8596-A under penalties of perjury means the filer declares that the documents are prepared according to section 6050M requirements and are true, correct, and complete from agency records.
What do I enter in Box 4 (Quarter ending date)?
The source gives examples of how to format the date for various quarters. For example, use 03312013 for the quarter ending March 31.
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