You’ve decided to hire a professional to help with your IRS problem. During your consultation, they mention you’ll need to sign a “Power of Attorney,” or Form 2848.

For many people, that phrase sounds intimidating. It brings to mind images of signing away all your rights and control. This is a common and completely understandable fear, but it’s based on a misunderstanding of what this specific document does.

Let’s clear the air. Giving a tax professional Power of Attorney (PoA) is not about giving up control. It’s about gaining a shield.

What is an IRS Power of Attorney (Form 2848)?

In simple terms, Form 2848 is a legal document that tells the IRS, “This person speaks for me.”

When you sign it, you are authorizing a qualified professional—like a licensed Tax Attorney, CPA, or Enrolled Agent—to represent you in matters before the IRS. It’s a permission slip that allows your chosen advocate to step in and handle communications on your behalf.

What Your Representative CAN Do with Power of Attorney:

The primary purpose of the PoA is to put a professional buffer between you and the IRS. Once the form is filed, your representative can:

1. Receive Your IRS Mail: All notices and correspondence from the IRS regarding your case will be sent directly to your representative. No more heart-stopping letters in your mailbox.
2. Speak to the IRS for You: Your representative can call the IRS, respond to their inquiries, and negotiate on your behalf. You no longer have to spend hours on hold or risk saying the wrong thing to a revenue officer.
3. Request Your Tax Information: They can pull your complete IRS file, see your entire history, and understand exactly what the IRS sees. This is crucial for building a successful resolution strategy.
4. Sign Agreements on Your Behalf: With your explicit consent, they can sign agreements like an Offer in Compromise or an Installment Agreement.

Essentially, the PoA allows your expert to do their job. It lets them take the full burden of communicating with the IRS off your shoulders.

What Your Representative CANNOT Do with Power of Attorney:

This is the most important part to understand, as it’s where most of the fear comes from. A tax-specific Power of Attorney is extremely limited in scope. It DOES NOT allow your representative to:

• Access your bank accounts or finances.
• Sell your property.
• Sign a new tax return on your behalf.
• Make any decisions about your case without your express permission.
• Endorse or cash a refund check.

You, the taxpayer, always remain in the driver’s seat. Your representative is your expert navigator and advocate, but they can only go where you agree to go. You have the final say on any proposed settlement or agreement.

Power of Attorney Means Gaining an Advocate

Think of it this way: if you were being sued, you would hire a lawyer to speak for you in court. You wouldn’t face the judge and opposing counsel alone.

The IRS is a powerful financial institution. Facing them alone can be incredibly intimidating. Signing a Power of Attorney is the legal equivalent of saying, “I’m bringing my lawyer.” It signals to the IRS that you are taking the matter seriously and that all future communication must go through your designated expert.

It’s a declaration of your right to professional representation—a right that protects you, shields you from harassment, and is the first essential step toward resolving your tax problem with confidence.