PA-8879: 2025 Pennsylvania e-file Signature Authorization (PA-8879) (2025)
Pennsylvania · Pennsylvania DOR · Used for tax years 2025
Form PA-8879 is Pennsylvania’s e-file signature authorization for the 2025 individual income tax return. It records key amounts from Form PA-40 and the taxpayer’s declaration and authorization to use a personal identification number (PIN) as an electronic signature.
Who files this form
PA-8879 is a signature authorization for a taxpayer’s electronically filed 2025 Pennsylvania income tax return (Form PA-40). It lets the taxpayer authorize someone to enter their personal identification number (PIN) as their signature, or choose to enter the PIN themselves.
The form has separate signature and PIN authorization fields for primary and secondary taxpayers. Section III is for Practitioner PIN Program participants only.
What you'll need
Have a copy of your electronic 2025 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, entered in whole dollars.
- The Declaration Control Number/Submission ID.
- Taxpayer PIN selections, signatures, and dates.
For Practitioner PIN Program participants, Section III also requires the electronic return originator’s (ERO’s) six-digit EFIN, five-digit self-selected PIN, signature, and date.
How to file
PA-8879 authorizes a signature on an electronically filed return.
- Enter the taxpayer information and copy the requested amounts from your 2025 PA-40 into Section I using whole dollars.
- Review your electronic return, schedules, and statements. By signing, you declare that they are true, correct, and complete to the best of your knowledge and belief, and that Section I matches the return.
- In each applicable taxpayer PIN area, mark one oval: authorize someone to enter the PIN, or choose to enter it yourself. Sign and date the form.
- For Practitioner PIN Program participants, the ERO completes Section III.
Do not send 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 PA-8879 to the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue without a request. The form says not to submit it unless requested.
- Marking more than one oval in a taxpayer’s PIN area. Each area says to mark one oval only.
- Entering cents in Section I. The form requires whole dollars only.
- Failing to keep the records. The ERO must retain the form and supporting documents for three years.
- Completing Section III outside the Practitioner PIN Program. That section is labeled for program participants only.
Questions people ask
Can I enter my own PIN?
Yes. The form lets you choose to enter your PIN yourself or authorize someone to enter it as your signature on your 2025 electronically filed return.
Which PA-40 amounts go in Section I?
Use adjusted PA taxable income from line 11, PA tax liability from line 12, total PA tax withheld from line 13, the refund amount from line 30, and total payment (tax due) from line 28. Enter whole dollars only.
Does signing authorize a direct debit for taxes owed?
If applicable, the declaration authorizes the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue and its designated financial agents to withdraw the payment from your designated account. It also certifies that the funds originate from an account within the United States or one of its territories.
Should I send this form to the Department of Revenue?
No, unless the department requests it. The ERO must keep the form and supporting documents for three years.