Is Form 2848 required to sign a Form 8809 when filing a 1099-NEC extension for a client?
I'm preparing taxes for a small business owner who needs an extension for filing their 1099-NEC forms. As their tax preparer, I'm not sure if I need a Form 2848 (Power of Attorney) to sign the Form 8809 extension request. Can I just sign the Form 8809 as their preparer without having a 2848 on file with the IRS? This is my first time handling extensions for information returns, and I want to make sure I'm doing everything correctly. The deadline's coming up soon and I need to get this filed properly. Has anyone gone through this process before?
20 comments
Join the conversation
Oliver Becker
You don't need a Form 2848 (Power of Attorney) to sign Form 8809 for a 1099-NEC extension as a preparer. Form 8809 actually has a specific section for preparers that's separate from the taxpayer signature section. In Part II of the form, there's a "Filer/Preparer" checkbox you can mark, and then you can sign as the preparer without needing the POA. The form is designed to accommodate this common scenario where a tax professional files the extension on behalf of their client. Just make sure you complete all required fields with the client's information in Part I, and then identify yourself as the preparer in Part II.
0 coins
CosmicCowboy
•So does that mean anyone can file an extension for any business? That doesn't seem right... do they at least need some kind of written authorization from the business, even if it's not the official 2848?
0 coins
Oliver Becker
•No, it doesn't mean anyone can file for any business. There's a professional relationship implied - you should have some form of engagement letter or service agreement with your client authorizing you to prepare and file their tax documents. While Form 8809 doesn't specifically require the 2848, you should always have proper documentation showing you're authorized to provide tax services to the client. This protects both you and the client and establishes the professional relationship required to act on their behalf for these limited purposes.
0 coins
Natasha Orlova
I went through something similar last year and was stressing about getting POAs signed at the last minute. Then I found https://taxr.ai which was super helpful for figuring out exactly what forms I needed for different filing situations. It actually scanned the instructions for Form 8809 and showed me the specific section that mentions preparers can sign without a 2848. Saved me so much time digging through IRS publications!
0 coins
Javier Cruz
•Does this taxr.ai thing work for other tax forms too? Like could it tell me exactly what I need for filing an S-corp return or handling an IRS notice?
0 coins
Emma Thompson
•I'm a bit skeptical about these AI tax tools. How accurate is it really? The IRS changes rules all the time and getting it wrong can be costly. Does it actually cite the specific IRS publications and rules?
0 coins
Natasha Orlova
•Yes, it definitely works for all kinds of tax forms and situations. I've used it for everything from basic 1040 questions to more complex S-corporation filing requirements. It searches directly through IRS publications and gives you the exact references. It's actually very accurate because it doesn't try to interpret the rules - it shows you the exact text from the official IRS publications and form instructions. Everything is properly cited with publication numbers, section references, and effective dates, so you can verify the information yourself if you want to double-check.
0 coins
Emma Thompson
Just wanted to follow up - I tried taxr.ai after my skeptical comment above, and I'm actually really impressed. I was dealing with a complicated foreign earned income situation with a client, and it pulled up the exact sections from Publication 54 that applied to their case. It also highlighted the relevant parts of Form 2555 instructions that I had completely overlooked. Definitely going to be using this regularly during tax season!
0 coins
Malik Jackson
If you're still having trouble with this or need to contact the IRS to confirm, try Claimyr (https://claimyr.com). I was stuck on a similar issue and needed to speak with someone at the IRS, but kept getting the dreaded "call volumes too high" message. Claimyr got me through to an actual IRS agent in about 20 minutes instead of spending days redialing. You can see a demo at https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c showing how it works. The agent confirmed directly that preparers can sign Form 8809 without a 2848 as long as there's a standard client relationship.
0 coins
Isabella Costa
•How does this even work? Seems suspicious that they can somehow get through when nobody else can. Does the IRS know about this service?
0 coins
StarSurfer
•This sounds too good to be true. I've spent HOURS trying to get through to the IRS. If this actually works, it would be a game changer, but I'm really doubtful. Has anyone else actually confirmed this works?
0 coins
Malik Jackson
•It works because they use technology to continuously dial and navigate the IRS phone tree until there's an opening, then they call you and connect you. It's completely legitimate - they're just automating the frustrating redial process. Yes, the IRS is aware of the service. There's nothing deceptive happening - they're simply using technology to wait on hold for you. Once you're connected, it's a normal conversation directly with an IRS agent, exactly as if you had called and waited yourself.
0 coins
StarSurfer
Wow, I need to admit I was wrong about Claimyr. After posting my skeptical comment, I decided to try it because I was desperate to resolve an issue with some 1099-K forms. Got connected to an IRS agent in about 30 minutes! The agent confirmed exactly what was mentioned above about Form 8809 - as a preparer you can sign it without a 2848 as long as you have a professional relationship with the client. They also helped me resolve my 1099-K issue that had been hanging over my head for weeks. This service is worth every penny for the time it saves.
0 coins
Ravi Malhotra
Just a tip from my experience: while you technically don't need the 2848 for Form 8809, I still recommend getting one from all your clients at the beginning of your engagement. It makes everything smoother when you need to handle other matters with the IRS, like responding to notices or making account changes. Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it!
0 coins
Freya Christensen
•Do I need to submit the 2848 to the IRS right away after my client signs it? Or can I just keep it on file and only submit it when needed? I have clients sign them but I'm not sure about the proper procedure.
0 coins
Ravi Malhotra
•You don't need to submit the 2848 to the IRS immediately after signing. You can keep it on file and only submit it when you need to represent the client for a specific matter. However, if you anticipate needing to access the client's tax records or communicate with the IRS on their behalf for other issues, it's better to submit it sooner. You can submit it electronically through the IRS Tax Pro Account system which is much faster than mailing it in.
0 coins
Omar Hassan
I just called the IRS Practitioner Priority Service about this exact question last week! The agent confirmed that Form 8809 doesn't require a 2848 for preparers to sign. They explained that information return extensions are considered "ministerial acts" that don't require formal representation authorization.
0 coins
Chloe Robinson
•How long did it take you to get through to the Practitioner line? Last time I tried it took me over 2 hours of waiting...
0 coins
Diego Chavez
For what it's worth, I've been filing 8809 extensions for clients for years without a 2848 and never had an issue. The IRS is mostly concerned that the extension gets filed on time. Just make sure you have your EFIN or PTIN on the form as required. Also, remember that Form 8809 gives an automatic 30-day extension for 1099-NEC now - you don't even need to provide a reason for the extension request!
0 coins
Amina Bah
•Thanks everyone for the helpful responses! This definitely clears things up for me. I'll go ahead and file the 8809 without the 2848 since I already have a service agreement with this client. And I'll look into getting 2848 forms for all my clients going forward as a best practice. Really appreciate all the insights!
0 coins