Third party designee. The authority given to a designee has been expanded and is now revocable. Designees will now be able to exchange information with the IRS. They may also request and receive written tax information relating to the tax return, including copies of notices, correspondence, and account transcripts. The designee may now be any individual (including a spouse), corporation, firm, organization, or partnership. To name a designee, check the Yes box in the Third Party Designee area of the return. See Third party designee under When Is a Power of Attorney Not Required, later.

Use of Form 2848 is limited to appointing a representative. If the representative you appoint is not qualified to sign Part II of Form 2848, Form 2848 will not be honored and will be returned to you. As of March 2004, the IRS will no longer treat such invalid forms as authority for the person you named to receive your tax information.

Authorization to file Form 2848 or Form 8821 electronically. Your representative may be able to file Form 2848 or Form 8821 with the IRS electronically. PIN number boxes have been added to the taxpayer's signature section. Entering a PIN number will give your representative authority to file your form electronically using the PIN number as the electronic signature. You can use any five digits other than all zeros as a PIN number. You may use the same PIN number that you used on other filings with the IRS.

Practitioners' hotline. The Practitioner Priority Service® is a nationwide, toll-free hotline that provides professional support to practitioners with account-related questions. This service is available weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. local time. The toll-free number for this service is 1-866-860-4259.

Non-IRS powers of attorney. A general, durable, or limited power of attorney will be accepted by the IRS if it satisfies the same requirements stated in Form 2848. If the non-IRS power of attorney does not contain all the required information, the attorney-in-fact (the representative) appointed by the non-IRS power of attorney may be able to add the missing information by attaching a Form 2848. See Non-IRS powers of attorney under When Is a Power of Attorney Required, later.

This publication discusses who can represent a taxpayer before the IRS and what forms or documents are used to authorize a person to represent a taxpayer. Usually, attorneys, certified public accountants (CPAs), enrolled agents, and enrolled actuaries can represent taxpayers before the IRS. Under special circumstances, other individuals, including unenrolled return preparers, can represent taxpayers before the IRS. For details regarding taxpayer representation, see Who Can Practice Before the IRS, later. This publication also contains a Glossary that defines certain professional titles as well as various terms.

Also covered is the use of Form 8821,Tax Information Authorization, to authorize an individual or certain entities to receive and inspect a taxpayer's confidential tax information. See Disclosure of tax return information under When Is a Power of Attorney Not Required, later.