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Signing IRS Form 8655 and Other Tax Filing Authorization Forms

In this article:

Background

As a Full Service Payroll customer, you need to authorize Patriot Software as your Reporting Agent so we can deposit and file your federal and state payroll taxes on your behalf. You do this by electronically signing IRS Form 8655, plus any additional third-party administrator (TPA) forms your state requires.

If you’re signing up with Patriot for the first time, you’ll complete this during the Tax Filing Setup step of the setup wizard. If you’re adding the Full Service payroll after having Basic payroll, you’ll see missing information links to complete to tax filing setup.

Where to Find the 8655 and TPA Forms

To access these forms at any time go to:

Settings > Tax Service Settings > Federal/State Forms

How to Verify Your Identity

The person who signs the 8655 must have their identity verified. However only authorized people of the business will have the authority to sign the 8655. Here are examples from the IRS:

  • Sole proprietorship – The individual owning the business
  • Corporation (including a limited liability company (LLC) treated as a corporation) – Generally, Form 8655 can be signed by
    • a) an officer having legal authority to bind the corporation,
    • (b) any person designated by the board of directors or other governing body,
    • (c) any officer or employee on written request by any principal officer, and
    • (d) any other person authorized to access information under section 6103(e)
  • Partnership (including an LLC treated as a partnership) or an unincorporated organization – Generally, Form 8655 can be signed by any person who was a member of the partnership during any part of the tax period covered by Form 8655
  • Single member LLC treated as a disregarded entity – The owner of the LLC
  • Trust or estate. The fiduciary

Step 1: Verify your identity

Enter the following personal information:

  • Home address
  • Date of birth
  • Social Security number
  • Government-issued ID number

Click Verify Identity.

Step 2: Preview the unsigned form (optional)

Once your identity is verified, you can review the form before signing.

  1. Click Preview Unsigned Form 8655 to download a PDF.
  2. Review the pre-filled information.

This preview is for your reference only. You do not need to sign or return this hard copy.

Step 3: Electronically sign Form 8655

  1. Return to the setup screen.
  2. Check the box certifying that you have the authority to electronically sign Form 8655.
  3. Click Submit.

You’ll see a confirmation message: “We have received the IRS Form 8655.”

Step 4: Save your signed form

After submitting:

  • Download the electronically signed PDF for your records.
  • If needed, you can upload a replacement file.

Step 5: Complete state-specific TPA forms (if applicable)

Depending on your state, you may need to complete additional third-party administrator forms. These grant Patriot Software permission to file state taxes on your behalf.

  1. Follow the state-specific instructions shown on screen. These will walk you through the login steps for each state agency website.
  2. Once you’ve completed the steps for every listed state, check the box at the bottom of the page: “I have completed the above steps for Patriot Software to file on my behalf.”

What happens next

Your part of the tax filing setup is complete. Patriot will now review your information and process your forms.

Once your forms are approved, you’ll get an email letting you know it’s time to log back into the wizard and finish your Full Service Payroll setup.

FAQs

How long will it take for the IRS to verify the 8655?

We’ll send the 8655 M – F on the day you submit the form. It can take up to 2 weeks for the IRS to respond with verification (or failed verification) of the form.

Why did my 8655 get rejected?

There are a couple of reasons the 8655 may be rejected by the IRS:
1. The tax filing name or FEIN does not match the name the IRS has on record. Any mail that the customer receives from the IRS will show the tax filing name on Line 1 of the address and the business name will be shown on Line 2 of the address. You can check Form CP 575 or SS-4 which would have been mailed to you by the IRS. You can request the CP-575 or the EIN verification letter known as a 147-C or call 1-800-829-4933 and ask for a 147-C. These will show proof of the businesses’ filing address, name, and EIN.
2. The person signing the form is not an owner, officer, or member of the business. CEO, CFO, etc are “officers.”
3. The person signing the form was not the signatory for the business.

When you’ve corrected your 8655, please update the software with the correct information and resubmit the 8655 directly in your software account.

How do I find out who signed the SS-4?

To find out who signed the Form SS-4 (Application for Employer Identification Number), you can call the IRS Business & Specialty Tax Line at 800-829-4933. The line is open Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time. You must be an authorized person, such as an officer, to get this information.

Why did my state TPA get rejected?

We cannot get the access we need from you to file on your behalf. Many times this is due to an incorrect EIN (or account number), or the steps needed to grant TPA access were not fully followed.

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