The IRS has release a revised Power of Attorney (Form 2848). On the surface, it doesn't look like a major revision but there is a big change to the form. The new form is for one person only.
The new 2848 does not have a place for the spouse for a married couple. Only one taxpayer is listed in the header and can sign. In the instructions on line 7, the form says:
If a tax matter concerns a year in which a joint return was filed, the husband and wife must each file a separate power of attorney even if the same representative(s) is (are) being appointed.
Actually this change makes sense. There have been several times I've sent/faxed a joint POA and later found out that I couldn't get the spouse's info because it was never entered into the system. Hopefully, this change will solve that problem.
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Another big change is the representative is no longer authorized to receive the taxpayers refund check. Question. By completing the other authorized acts on line 5, can the taxpayer authorize the IRS to send refund checks the representative?
Posted by: Marvin Mowatt | January 24, 2012 at 05:37 PM