Current for the 2026-2027 EA examPSI scheduling update
EA Exam Part 3 / Representation

Form 8821 Representation Authority Practice Question

Work the complete fact pattern before revealing the explanation. This question is adapted from the IRS public sample set for the current exam law period.

By Jordan AshbyUpdated August 13, 2026Adapted from the IRS sample set

A taxpayer signs Form 8821 authorizing an enrolled agent to receive confidential tax information for an appeal. What is correct about the agent's ability to represent the taxpayer?

  1. A

    The agent may represent the client based on Form 8821

  2. B

    The agent may represent the client with oral consent

  3. C

    The agent may represent the client with a note attached to Form 8821

  4. D

    The agent may not represent the client based on Form 8821

    Correct answer

The agent may not represent the client based on Form 8821

Form 8821 permits access to tax information; it does not authorize practice or representation before the IRS.

Reference testedIRM 21.3.7.5; Publication 947; Form 8821 instructions

Transfer the reasoning, not the wording.

Restate the tested rule without the answer choices. Then change one decisive fact and explain which option would need to change. That short exercise makes the explanation retrievable instead of merely familiar.

Official sample source

PassFast adapted this public IRS sample for web practice and added the concise explanation above.