
Zendocs is not affiliated with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
Everything You Need to Know About IRS Form 2848
What is Form 2848?
The IRS Form 2848, Power of Attorney and Declaration of Representative, is used when a taxpayer wishes to authorize someone else to represent them before the IRS. It allows your chosen representative to speak to the IRS, access your confidential tax records, and take action within the scope you approve.
Who can serve as your representative?
- Attorneys, Certified Public Accountants (CPAs), and Enrolled Agents.
- Immediate family members (spouse, parents, child, or sibling).
- Tax return preparers with specific IRS credentials.
- Other eligible individuals recognized by the IRS under Treasury rules.
Why file Form 2848?
- To allow your tax professional to handle an IRS audit on your behalf.
- To grant your attorney access to confidential IRS notices or transcripts.
- To streamline communication with the IRS if you are unavailable or incapacitated.
- To avoid handling complex tax disputes on your own.
Key powers granted
By default, representatives can:
- Inspect and receive confidential IRS tax information.
- Represent you during audits or appeals.
- Negotiate payment plans, penalties, or interest (if authorized).
- Sign certain tax agreements or waivers (within the limits specified).
Limits of Form 2848
- Representatives cannot sign your actual tax return, unless you qualify for an exception (such as being outside the U.S. for an extended time).
- Powers granted apply only to the tax matters, years, or forms listed on Form 2848.
- If you want to revoke or change your representative, you must file a new Form 2848 or Form 56.
Processing and validity
- Once filed, the IRS processes Form 2848 into its CAF database.
- A valid 2848 remains in effect until revoked or replaced.
- You can list multiple representatives, but only one can act as the “lead.”
FAQ
Simple 3-Step Process

1. Fill Out The Form
Fill in your details and information, add date and customize as needed

2. Add Your Signature
Add legally-binding signature by drawing, uploading, or typing

3. Download or share
Your form is ready, download, share link or send via email instantly

1. Fill Out The Form
Fill in your details and information, add date and customize as needed

2. Add Your Signature
Add legally-binding signature by drawing, uploading, or typing

3. Download or share
Your form is ready, download, share link or send via email instantly

1. Fill Out The Form
Fill in your details and information, add date and customize as needed

2. Add Your Signature
Add legally-binding signature by drawing, uploading, or typing

3. Download or share
Your form is ready, download, share link or send via email instantly

1. Fill Out The Form
Fill in your details and information, add date and customize as needed

2. Add Your Signature
Add legally-binding signature by drawing, uploading, or typing

3. Download or share
Your form is ready, download, share link or send via email instantly
What our users are saying
I was skeptical about editing pdfs on my phone, but Zendocs made it work smoothly. Filled out a freelance w9 while waiting for my coffee. No issues at all.
I'm a screenwriter and mark up my drafts often. Tried the annotate pdf tool here – it was actually pleasant to use. Notes stuck where I placed them, colors were clear, and export kept everything intact. Beats printing 80 pages every time.
Used ZenDocs to split up a 100-page policy doc into smaller team manuals. It was quick, intuitive, and didn't crash once – even with that massive file.
Compiled my speaker bio, session outline, and visual aids into one file for a conference. ZenDocs let me combine them fast and add bookmarks for each section. This made navigating during my talk so much easier. I even re-uploaded the final version to make a few changes – every step was smooth. Really appreciated how consistent the UI was.
I needed to add quick comments to student feedback forms and the annotate pdf feature on zen docs made it painless. No crashes, super clean interface – definitely easier than Adobe's bloated editor.
ZenDocs has the cleanest interface I've used. Edited a PDF proposal, reordered some sections, and exported without hassle. It just works.
I was skeptical about editing pdfs on my phone, but Zendocs made it work smoothly. Filled out a freelance w9 while waiting for my coffee. No issues at all.
I'm a screenwriter and mark up my drafts often. Tried the annotate pdf tool here – it was actually pleasant to use. Notes stuck where I placed them, colors were clear, and export kept everything intact. Beats printing 80 pages every time.
Used ZenDocs to split up a 100-page policy doc into smaller team manuals. It was quick, intuitive, and didn't crash once – even with that massive file.
Compiled my speaker bio, session outline, and visual aids into one file for a conference. ZenDocs let me combine them fast and add bookmarks for each section. This made navigating during my talk so much easier. I even re-uploaded the final version to make a few changes – every step was smooth. Really appreciated how consistent the UI was.
I needed to add quick comments to student feedback forms and the annotate pdf feature on zen docs made it painless. No crashes, super clean interface – definitely easier than Adobe's bloated editor.
ZenDocs has the cleanest interface I've used. Edited a PDF proposal, reordered some sections, and exported without hassle. It just works.
I was skeptical about editing pdfs on my phone, but Zendocs made it work smoothly. Filled out a freelance w9 while waiting for my coffee. No issues at all.
I'm a screenwriter and mark up my drafts often. Tried the annotate pdf tool here – it was actually pleasant to use. Notes stuck where I placed them, colors were clear, and export kept everything intact. Beats printing 80 pages every time.
Used ZenDocs to split up a 100-page policy doc into smaller team manuals. It was quick, intuitive, and didn't crash once – even with that massive file.
Compiled my speaker bio, session outline, and visual aids into one file for a conference. ZenDocs let me combine them fast and add bookmarks for each section. This made navigating during my talk so much easier. I even re-uploaded the final version to make a few changes – every step was smooth. Really appreciated how consistent the UI was.
I needed to add quick comments to student feedback forms and the annotate pdf feature on zen docs made it painless. No crashes, super clean interface – definitely easier than Adobe's bloated editor.
ZenDocs has the cleanest interface I've used. Edited a PDF proposal, reordered some sections, and exported without hassle. It just works.