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posted Jun 7, 2019 4:52:18 PM

I am applying for a home loan and the bank is asking me for my 2017 and 2018 signed IRS form 8879. How do I obtain those?

These documents were not part of my printed out 2017 and 2018 tax returns and I cannot find them.

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1 Best answer
Level 15
Jun 7, 2019 4:52:22 PM

Form 8879 is used only to authorize a paid tax preparer to file your return for you. It is not used when you file your tax return yourself with TurboTax. You don't have to authorize yourself to file your own tax return. If someone is asking you for Form 8879, either they think you paid someone to do your tax return, or they don't understand how tax returns are filed.

Form 8879 is not included in TurboTax because it is never used when you file with TurboTax. You could try explaining to the person who's asking for it that you filed by yourself. If that doesn't work, and you'd rather just make them happy instead of trying to convince them, here's what you could do. Download the form from the IRS web site. Fill in the top part, and parts I and II. Print the filled-in form and sign Part II. Make a photo copy of the signed form and give the copy to whoever is asking for it.

Link to download Form 8879: http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f8879.pdf


5 Replies
Level 15
Jun 7, 2019 4:52:18 PM

Form 8879 is used when there is a professional tax preparer efiling your return.  
A TurboTax return is self-prepared so a Federal Form 8879 is not needed nor supplied.   

Maybe the page called Electronic Postmark in your return documents would suit their purpose as proof of efiling.

Level 15
Jun 7, 2019 4:52:20 PM

Or are they referring to a state form, such as Arizona  AZ-8879?

Level 15
Jun 7, 2019 4:52:22 PM

Form 8879 is used only to authorize a paid tax preparer to file your return for you. It is not used when you file your tax return yourself with TurboTax. You don't have to authorize yourself to file your own tax return. If someone is asking you for Form 8879, either they think you paid someone to do your tax return, or they don't understand how tax returns are filed.

Form 8879 is not included in TurboTax because it is never used when you file with TurboTax. You could try explaining to the person who's asking for it that you filed by yourself. If that doesn't work, and you'd rather just make them happy instead of trying to convince them, here's what you could do. Download the form from the IRS web site. Fill in the top part, and parts I and II. Print the filled-in form and sign Part II. Make a photo copy of the signed form and give the copy to whoever is asking for it.

Link to download Form 8879: http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f8879.pdf


Level 9
Jun 7, 2019 4:52:23 PM

If the person still insists on a 8879, I would ask for a supervisor rather than filling out a fictitious 8879.  If the supervisor were to insist on a 8879, you probably should switch to a competent loan company.

Not applicable
Jun 7, 2019 4:52:27 PM

even paid preparers don't send a copy of the signed form back to the taxpayer.  

the person your dealing with is dumber than a snowball in hell.    do as TaxGuyBill suggests.