Independent form guide. BrieflyGo is not affiliated with or endorsed by IRS, USCIS, SSA, DOL, or any U.S. government agency. Official forms are sourced from public government websites.
Official form guide
Form 8796A: Request for Return/Information (Federal/State Tax Exchange Program - State and Local Government Use Only)
IRS Form 8796-A is a Request for Return/Information used by state and local tax agency personnel to obtain taxpayer returns or related data from the IRS. Misuse can trigger criminal and civil liabilities under IRC sections 7213 and 7431.
Need help with Form 8796A?
Open it in the AI Editor for field guidance, checks, and PDF export.
Need help? AI Editor guides you through every field of Form 8796A.
Start filling →Form Overview
IRS Form 8796A - Request for Return/Information (Federal/State Tax Exchange Program - State and Local Government Use Only)
IRS Form 8796-A is a Request for Return/Information used by state and local tax agency personnel to obtain taxpayer returns or related data from the IRS. Misuse can trigger criminal and civil liabilities under IRC sections 7213 and 7431.
Risk Radar
Scan points- 1Submitting false or unauthorized information can trigger criminal and civil penalties.
- 2Leaving the 'Copy of return(s)' Yes/No block unchecked, so the IRS cannot know which documents are requested.
- 3Failing to specify the tax periods requested, making the request ambiguous.
- 4Omitting the reason for request in Section B‑3, which the instructions require to be specific.
- 5Not signing the employee making request line in Section C, leaving the request unauthorized.
Plain English
State or local tax officials fill out this form when they need a copy of a taxpayer’s return, a transcript, audit workpapers, or balance details from the IRS. They describe the specific tax period, type of return, and reason for the request, then get the required signatures before sending it to the IRS address on the form.
Submission Date
- Filing date: 2021-10-14 22:10:25
- Preparation window: collect IDs, supporting records, and signatures in advance.
- Final review: verify names, dates, and required fields before submission.
AI co-pilot
Fill it faster. Catch mistakes before you file.
What this form is for
- Use this form when a state or local tax agency is requesting a taxpayer’s return or related information from the IRS.
- Do not use it when the request is an expedite or requires local handling by the agency’s Disclosure Office.
Form selector
Use this form or another form?
Requesting a copy of a taxpayer’s return
Provides authorized access to the return data
✓ Verify agency’s need is specific
Requesting a transcript of a taxpayer’s return
Allows receipt of transcript for tax administration
✓ Ensure request complies with coordination agreement
Requesting audit workpapers or outstanding balance info
Supplies detailed workpapers or balance details
✓ Confirm correct tax periods are listed
Deadline or filing window
Not stated in the official source.
Checklist
What you need before filling it out
Name of taxpayer
Taxpayer’s legal name and SSN/EIN · Section B of Form 8796-A
Copy of return(s) request
Indication Yes or No checkbox · Section B of Form 8796-A
Transcript request
Indication Yes or No checkbox · Section B of Form 8796-A
Reason requested – Pending examination
Check appropriate block · Section B of Form 8796-A
Employee making request name
Name of employee · Section C of Form 8796-A
Before you submit
- 1Verify the agency name and full mailing address are entered in the Requesting agency block.
- 2Enter the taxpayer’s name, SSN/EIN, and address in Section A.
- 3Select the appropriate information requested (e.g., Copy of return, Transcript) in Section B.
- 4Specify the tax periods and type of return forms in Section B.
- 5Check the correct reason for the request in Section B.
- 6Complete employee name, date, and division in Section C.
- 7Obtain the group manager’s signature and phone number in Section C before forwarding.
How to file this form
- 1Complete Sections A, B, and C with all required data.
- 2Attach any required supporting documentation for the information request.
- 3Obtain the group manager’s signature and ensure all dates are filled.
- 4Forward the signed form to the pre‑printed address shown in Section A.
- 5Retain a copy of the completed Form 8796‑A for agency records.
Known limitations
- 1Not for use by private individuals or non‑government entities — the form is limited to state and local tax agency personnel
- 2Not for requests that require local handling to be sent to the address in Section A — such requests must go through the local Disclosure Office
- 3Not for requests outside authorized tax administrative purposes — misuse may incur criminal or civil liability under IRC 7213 and 7431
- 4Not for expedited requests sent to the address in Section A — expedited handling must be coordinated with the local Disclosure Office
- 5Not for requests made by entities that are not a state or local tax agency
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->Form 8796-A (Rev. 9‑2021) is the current edition; the source does not indicate a later revision.
What changed or needs a fresh check
- Edition date — confirm the revision reads Rev. 9‑2021 (September 2021)
- Fee — Not stated in the official source
- Mailing address — Not stated in the official source
- Signature — confirm required signatures in Section C are completed
Quick Facts
Downloads
After you file
- 1Forward the signed Form 8796‑A to the pre‑printed address shown in Section A
- 2Confirm that Section B‑3 contains a specific statement of the agency’s need and use for the data
- 3If the request is expedited or requires local handling, contact the local Disclosure Office instead of using the Section A address
- 4Retain a copy of the completed Form 8796‑A for agency records
- 5Keep the retained copy for the period required by agency policy
Sources
- SRCForm p.1 — The form may be used by state and local tax agency personnel requesting return(s) or return information from IRS
- SRCForm p.1 — After signature approval, forward to the pre‑printed address in Section A
- SRCForm p.1 — State the agency's need and use for the requested data as specifically as possible in section B‑3
- SRCForm p.1 — Do not send expedite requests or other requests that require local handling to the address in Section A
- SRCForm p.1 — If the office agrees to expedite or otherwise handle your request locally, you will submit it directly to that office
- SRCForm p.1 — Disclosure or use of the information for non‑authorized purposes is subject to criminal and civil liabilities under sections 7213 and 7431 of the Internal Revenue Code
Common confusion points
Can I send this form to any IRS address?
I may assume any address works because the form has a blank space for address
→ Verify the address printed in Section A and use only that address
Do I need to include my personal SSN on the form?
I might think the requester’s SSN is required instead of the taxpayer’s
→ Ensure the taxpayer’s SSN/EIN is entered in Section A
Is this form for a private audit firm?
The term “tax agency personnel” can be unclear
→ Confirm the requester is an employee of a state or local tax agency
Can I request a return for a tax period not listed?
The tax‑period field may appear optional
→ List the exact tax periods needed in the tax‑period field
Do I need to check both “Copy of return(s)” and “Transcript”?
Multiple check boxes can be confusing
→ Select only the specific types of information actually required
Is it okay to send an expedited request to the Section A address?
The word “expedite” may be misunderstood as a faster mailing option
→ Contact the local Disclosure Office for any expedited handling
Workflow map
Related forms and next steps
Before
Current
After
Often used with
⚠ If something goes wrong
- Form 8796-A – Not stated in the official source
Questions about IRS Form 8796A
What is IRS Form 8796A used for?
State or local tax officials fill out this form when they need a copy of a taxpayer’s return, a transcript, audit workpapers, or balance details from the IRS. They describe the specific tax period, type of return, and reason for the request, then get the required signatures before sending it to the IRS address on the form.
Who must file IRS Form 8796A?
State and local tax agency personnel must file IRS Form 8796-A.
What information does IRS Form 8796A require?
The form gathers the taxpayer’s name, SSN/EIN, address, the specific return or information requested (copy, transcript, audit workpapers, or outstanding balance), tax periods, return type, and the reason for the request, plus the requesting employee’s and manager’s signatures.
Where do I file IRS Form 8796A?
Send the completed and signed form to the pre‑printed address shown in Section A of the form.
How do I complete IRS Form 8796A?
Complete Section A with the IRS return address, then fill Section B indicating the exact return or information needed, tax periods, return type, and reason. In Section C, the employee making the request, their group manager, and an authorized representative must sign and date the form. After all signatures are obtained, forward the form to the pre‑printed address in Section A unless a local Disclosure Office is handling the request.
What happens if IRS Form 8796A is filed incorrectly?
Providing false information or misusing the request can result in criminal and civil liabilities under IRC sections 7213 and 7431.
Can I send this form to any IRS address?
I may assume any address works because the form has a blank space for address Verify the address printed in Section A and use only that address
Do I need to include my personal SSN on the form?
I might think the requester’s SSN is required instead of the taxpayer’s Ensure the taxpayer’s SSN/EIN is entered in Section A
Source transparency
Copyright & Licensing - US Government Forms
BrieflyGo links to and explains official public form sources. We are not a government agency, and this page is for general form guidance, not legal advice.
Understand the agreement before you sign it.
Review risky clauses in plain English, fix the document, and keep it moving toward signature.