Skip to main content

Signing IRS Form 8655 and Other Tax Filing Authorization Forms

Learn how to submit third party authorizations such as the IRS Form 8655 and other state authorizations so Patriot can file on your behalf.

Applies to Full Service Payroll

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

  1. Enter the following personal information:

    1. Home address

    2. Date of birth

    3. Social Security number

    4. Government-issued ID number

  2. 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 8655

After submitting:

  • Download the electronically signed PDF for your records.

  • If needed, you can upload a replacement file.

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:

  3. “I have completed the above steps for Patriot Software to file on my behalf.”

If you haven't met the minimum payroll wages required to apply for a SUTA account, you won't be able to complete your Third-Party Administrator (TPA) authorization yet. If you need to run payroll in the meantime, mark the TPA steps as completed and click Submit. This lets you run payroll temporarily, and you can finish the actual TPA setup once your SUTA account is approved.

What Happens After Submitting the 8655 or Indicating the TPA Steps Have Been Completed.

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 About the 8655 and TPA Access

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

We’ll send the 8655 Monday – Friday 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 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.

    1. You can check Form CP 575 or SS-4 which would have been mailed to you by the IRS with the name the IRS has on file.

    2. 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.

    3. The Fix: To update your tax filing name go to Settings > Company Settings > Company Info. Click Edit. Update the tax filing name and click Save.

      1. Then go to Settings > Tax Service Settings > Federal and State Forms and follow steps to re-submit the 8655 with the new information.

  2. The person signing the form is not an owner, officer, or member of the business. CEO, CFO, etc are “officers.”

    1. The fix: Please email [email protected] or call our onboarding team at (877) 968-7147 option 2, Monday - Friday ET 9:00 a.m - 7:00 p.m ET reset your the identity verification. This will be required to sign the 8655 with a different name.

      1. After the identity verification has been reset by the Patriot support team, in the software, go to Settings > Tax Service Settings > Federal and State Forms to verify the new identity, and follow steps to re-submit the 8655 with the new information.

  3. The person signing the form was not the signatory for the business. This typically will be the person who applied for the FEIN.

    1. 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.

    2. The fix: Please email [email protected] or call our onboarding team at (877) 968-7147 option 2, Monday - Friday ET 9:00 a.m - 7:00 p.m ET to reset your the identity verification to sign the 8655 with a different name.

      1. After the identity verification has been reset by the Patriot support team, in the software, go to Settings > Tax Service Settings > Federal and State Forms to to verify the new identity, and follow steps to re-submit the 8655 with the new information.

  4. The FEIN is incorrect.

    1. You can check Form CP 575 or SS-4 which would have been mailed to you by the IRS. Or, 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 fix: Please email [email protected] or call our onboarding team at (877) 968-7147 option 2, Monday - Friday ET 9:00 a.m - 7:00 p.m ET if you need to update your Federal EIN.

      1. After it is updated, you can re-submit the 8655 with the updated FEIN

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.

  • Click the missing information link in the software to find follow the instructions to grant Patriot third party access to file and deposit on your behalf.

Related Articles
Did this answer your question?