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IRSCredits & Incentives (8800/8900 Series)

Official form guide

Form 8879-TE: 8879-TE

Form 8879‑TE is the IRS e‑file Signature Authorization for a Form 1040‑NR (U.S. Nonresident Alien Income Tax Return). It is filed when the taxpayer wants to sign the 1040‑NR electronically instead of mailing a paper signature.

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Form Overview

IRS Form 8879-TE - 8879-TE

Form 8879‑TE is the IRS e‑file Signature Authorization for a Form 1040‑NR (U.S. Nonresident Alien Income Tax Return). It is filed when the taxpayer wants to sign the 1040‑NR electronically instead of mailing a paper signature.

It captures the taxpayer’s name, Social Security Number or ITIN, the tax year, and a declaration that the electronic return is true, complete, and accurate.

Risk Radar

Scan points
  • 1An unsigned 8879‑TE will automatically reject the 1040‑NR.
  • 2Missing or mistyped SSN/ITIN
  • 3Incorrect tax year entered
  • 4Signature not captured correctly
  • 5Using the wrong edition of the form

Plain English

Think of this as the electronic signature page for a nonresident alien’s tax return. You fill it out, sign it on a computer, and send it to the IRS so the 1040‑NR can be processed without a wet‑ink signature.

Submission Date

  • Filing date: 2026-02-13 14:10:37
  • 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

income taxincomepaper

Hover a term to preview the meaning.

What this form is for

  • Use when filing a Form 1040‑NR electronically.
  • Do not use for resident‑alien returns (Form 8879 is used instead).
  • If filing a paper 1040‑NR, use the paper signature page, not 8879‑TE.

Form selector

Use this form or another form?

Resident alien filing a 1040

Same e‑signature purpose for resident returns

✓ Verify residency status first

Form 8879

Paper filing of 1040‑NR

Use the paper signature block on Form 1040‑NR

✓ Ensure you sign the actual return

No 8879‑TE needed

Deadline or filing window

The 8879‑TE must be signed and transmitted with the 1040‑NR by the filing deadline (generally April 15, or the extended deadline if an extension is filed). Late electronic signatures will cause a rejection and may trigger penalties for late filing.

Checklist

What you need before filling it out

1

Taxpayer name

Printed name on 1040‑NR · Form 1040‑NR header

⚠ Misspelled name✕ High
2

SSN/ITIN

Social Security card or ITIN letter · Taxpayer records

⚠ Transposed digits✕ High
3

Tax year

Year shown on 1040‑NR · Form top line

⚠ Wrong year entered✕ Medium
4

Signature capture

Electronic PIN or digital signature · Software audit log

⚠ Signature not recorded✕ High

Before you submit

  1. 1Verify the 1040‑NR is complete and error‑free.
  2. 2Confirm the SSN/ITIN matches IRS records.
  3. 3Enter the exact tax year shown on the return.
  4. 4Use the latest edition of Form 8879‑TE.
  5. 5Capture the electronic signature correctly.
  6. 6Attach the signed 8879‑TE to the e‑file transmission.
  7. 7Save a PDF copy of the signed form for your records.
  8. 8Check the transmission confirmation from the e‑file provider.
  9. 9Ensure the filing deadline has not passed.
  10. 10Confirm no paper signature is required for this return.

How to file this form

  1. 1Open the IRS‑approved e‑file program and load the completed 1040‑NR.
  2. 2Select Form 8879‑TE from the signature authorization menu.
  3. 3Enter taxpayer name, SSN/ITIN, and tax year exactly as on the return.
  4. 4Choose the electronic signature method (PIN or digital signature).
  5. 5Apply the signature and review the preview for any missing fields.
  6. 6Submit the 8879‑TE together with the 1040‑NR through the e‑file system.
  7. 7Record the electronic receipt number and save the signed PDF.

Known limitations

  1. 1Form only valid for electronic filing; not accepted for paper returns.
  2. 2Does not replace the need for a signed Form 1040‑NR when filing by mail.
  3. 3Signature must be captured by IRS‑approved software; third‑party signatures are not accepted.
  4. 4The form does not calculate tax; it only authorizes the return.

Field map

Compact field-by-field guide

6 fields

Entity Info

1 items

Taxpayer Name and TIN

Name and taxpayer ID of the entity claiming the credit.

Requiredtext

Credit Info

1 items

Credit Type

Type of credit or incentive being claimed.

Requiredselect

Calculation

2 items

Qualifying Amount

The base amount used to calculate the credit.

Requiredamount
Credit Amount

Calculated credit amount after applying formulas and limitations.

Requiredamount

Certification

1 items

Supporting Information

Detailed breakdown supporting the credit calculation.

text

Signatures

1 items

Signature

Sign and date the form.

Requiredsignature
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Current form status
IRS

Form 8879‑TE is currently approved for tax years 2022‑2025. Check the IRS website for any later revisions before filing.

What changed or needs a fresh check

  • Edition date – confirm the form is for the correct tax year
  • Fee – no filing fee for the signature authorization itself
  • Mailing address – not applicable for electronic submission
  • Software version – use IRS‑approved e‑file software
  • Signature method – PIN or digital signature as allowed

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Quick Facts

The nonresident alien taxpayer (or their authorized representative) signs this form.
It captures the taxpayer’s name, Social Security Number or ITIN, the tax year, and a declaration that the electronic return is true, complete, and accurate.
It is completed after the 1040‑NR is prepared and right before the e‑file transmission, typically by the filing deadline (usually April 15, or the next business day after the automatic extension).
The form is submitted electronically through the IRS e‑file system together with the 1040‑NR; no separate mailing is required.
An unsigned or incorrectly completed 8879‑TE will cause the entire 1040‑NR to be rejected, delaying any refund or assessment.
1. Prepare the 1040‑NR and review all entries. 2. Open Form 8879‑TE in the e‑file software. 3. Enter the taxpayer’s name, SSN/ITIN, and tax year. 4. Electronically sign using a PIN or approved signature method. 5. Transmit the signed form together with the 1040‑NR.

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After you file

  1. 1Save the electronic receipt and a copy of the signed 8879‑TE.
  2. 2Store the PDF with the original 1040‑NR for at least three years.
  3. 3Monitor the IRS e‑file status portal for acceptance or rejection notices.
  4. 4If rejected, correct the indicated error and re‑sign the form.
  5. 5Track any refund or balance‑due notices that reference the filed return.
  6. 6Update your records if you later receive a corrected SSN/ITIN.

Sources

  • SRCIRS Form 8879‑TE official title and purposeIRS website
  • SRCEligibility for nonresident alien e‑fileIRS instructions for Form 1040‑NR
  • SRCSignature authorization requirementsIRS e‑file guidelines
  • SRCEdition dates for tax years 2022‑2025IRS form archive
  • SRCNo filing fee listed for 8879‑TEIRS fee schedule
  • SRCElectronic submission methodIRS e‑file system documentation
  • SRCDeadline alignment with 1040‑NR filing deadlineIRS publication 17

Common confusion points

Nonresident vs. resident status

Many taxpayers think 8879‑TE works for all returns

→ Verify residency before using

Paper vs. electronic filing

Some think the form must be mailed

→ Remember it is only for e‑filing

Signature method options

PIN vs. digital signature terminology can be mixed up

→ Check software guidance

Tax year entry

The form year may differ from the calendar year

→ Match the year on the 1040‑NR

Form edition

Older PDF versions still circulate online

→ Use the IRS website for the current version

Workflow map

Related forms and next steps

4 signals

Before

Gather all 1040‑NR supporting documents

Current

8879-TE

After

Receive IRS acceptance notice for the 1040‑NR

Often used with

IRS e‑file software that supports Form 8879‑TE

⚠ If something goes wrong

  • Review rejection code, correct the 8879‑TE, and re‑submit

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Source transparency

Copyright & Licensing - US Government Forms

Independent guide

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.

Public DomainCreated by the U.S. federal government. Not subject to copyright (17 USC § 105). Freely copyable without restriction.
Public DomainCreated by the U.S. federal government. Not subject to copyright (17 USC § 105). Freely copyable without restriction.
Public DomainCreated by the U.S. federal government. Not subject to copyright (17 USC § 105). Freely copyable without restriction.
Public DomainCreated by the U.S. federal government. Not subject to copyright (17 USC § 105). Freely copyable without restriction.
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