PA-8879: 2024 Pennsylvania e-file Signature Authorization (PA-8879) (2024)
Pennsylvania · Pennsylvania DOR · Used for tax years 2024
Form PA-8879 is Pennsylvania’s e-file signature authorization for the 2024 individual income tax return. It records key amounts from Form PA-40, including taxable income, tax liability, withholding, refund, and tax due, and documents the taxpayer’s use of a personal identificatio
Who files this form
PA-8879 records a taxpayer’s PIN signature authorization for a 2024 electronically filed Pennsylvania income tax return (Form PA-40). It includes signature authorization fields for both the primary and secondary taxpayer.
Section III is for Practitioner PIN Program participants only. The electronic return originator (ERO) keeps this form rather than submitting it to the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue, unless requested.
What you'll need
Have a copy of your 2024 electronic Form PA-40 and its accompanying schedules and statements available to review before signing.
The form asks for:
- Primary and secondary taxpayer names and Social Security numbers.
- Amounts from PA-40 lines 11, 12, 13, 30 and 28.
- The Declaration Control Number/Submission ID.
- Taxpayer PIN selections, signatures and dates.
- For Practitioner PIN Program participants, the ERO’s six-digit EFIN followed by a five-digit self-selected PIN, plus the ERO’s signature and date.
How to file
- Enter the requested 2024 PA-40 amounts in Section I using whole dollars only.
- Review your electronic return, schedules and statements. By signing, you declare that the return is true, correct and complete to the best of your knowledge and belief, and that Section I matches your return.
- In Section II, select whether you authorize someone to enter your PIN or will enter it yourself. Mark only one oval for each taxpayer and sign and date the applicable signature fields.
- If participating in the Practitioner PIN Program, the ERO completes Section III.
Do not submit PA-8879 to the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue unless requested. The ERO must retain the form and supporting documents for three years.
Common mistakes
- Sending the form when it has not been requested. The form says not to submit it to the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue unless requested.
- Selecting more than one PIN option. Mark one oval only for each taxpayer.
- Including cents in Section I. Use whole dollars only.
- Not keeping the records. The ERO must retain this form and supporting documents for three years.
- Using Section III outside the Practitioner PIN Program. That section is labeled for program participants only.
Questions people ask
What does my PIN represent?
Your selected PIN serves as your signature for your electronic income tax return and, if applicable, your electronic funds withdrawal consent.
Can I authorize someone else to enter my PIN?
Yes. The form lets you authorize someone to enter your PIN or choose to enter it yourself. Mark only one option for each taxpayer.
Does this form authorize a direct debit for taxes owed?
If applicable, the declaration authorizes the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue and its designated financial agents to initiate a withdrawal from your designated account. You also certify that the funds originate from an account within the United States or one of its territories.
Who keeps PA-8879, and for how long?
The ERO must retain the form and supporting documents for three years. It should not be submitted to the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue unless requested.