Form 8453-EO (2019)
Page 2
TIP
Instead of filing Form 8453-EO, an organization officer filing an
exempt organization’s return through an electronic return
originator (ERO) can sign the return using a personal
identification number (PIN). For details, see Form 8879-EO, IRS
e-file Signature Authorization for an Exempt Organization.
Future Developments
For the latest information about developments related to Form 8453-EO and
its instructions, such as legislation enacted after they were published, go to
www.irs.gov/Form8453EO.
Purpose of Form
Use Form 8453-EO to:
• Authenticate the electronic Form 990, Return of Organization Exempt From
Income Tax; Form 990-EZ, Short Form Return of Organization Exempt From
Income Tax; Form 990-PF, Return of Private Foundation; Form 1120-POL,
U.S. Income Tax Return for Certain Political Organizations; or Form 8868,
Application for Automatic Extension of Time To File an Exempt Organization
Return;
• Authorize the ERO, if any, to transmit via a third-party transmitter;
• Authorize the intermediate service provider (ISP) to transmit via a third-
party transmitter if you’re filing online (not using an ERO); and
• Authorize an electronic funds withdrawal for payment of federal taxes owed
(Form 990-PF, Form 1120-POL, or Form 8868 with payment).
Who Must File
If you’re filing a 2019 Form 990, Form 990-EZ, Form 990-PF, Form 1120-POL,
or Form 8868 with payment through an ISP and/or transmitter and you’re not
using an ERO, you must file Form 8453-EO with your electronically filed return.
An ERO can use either Form 8453-EO or Form 8879-EO to obtain
authorization to file an organization’s Form 990, Form 990-EZ, Form 990-PF,
or Form 1120-POL, or to file a Form 8868 with payment.
When To File
Form 990, Form 990-EZ, and Form 990-PF. File Form 990, Form 990-EZ, or
Form 990-PF by the 15
th
day of the 5
th
month after the organization’s
accounting period ends. If the regular due date falls on a Saturday, Sunday,
or legal holiday, the organization may file on the next business day. The Form
8453-EO must be filed with the electronically filed Form 990, Form 990-EZ,
or Form 990-PF.
Form 1120-POL. File Form 1120-POL by the 15
th
day of the 4
th
month after
the organization’s accounting period ends. If the regular due date falls on a
Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, the organization may file on the next
business day. The Form 8453-EO must be filed with the electronically filed
Form 1120-POL.
Form 8868. Generally, file Form 8868 by the due date of the return for which
you’re requesting an extension. The Form 8453-EO must be filed with the
electronically filed Form 8868.
How To File
File Form 8453-EO with the organization’s electronically filed return. Use a
scanner to create a PDF file of the completed form. Your tax preparation
software will allow you to transmit this PDF file with the return.
Part II. Declaration of Officer
If a Form 990-PF, Form 1120-POL, or Form 8868 filer chooses to pay the tax
due by electronic funds withdrawal (direct debit), check the box. Otherwise,
leave the box blank.
If the officer checks the box when filing Form 990-PF, Form 1120-POL, or
Form 8868 with payment, the officer must ensure that the following
information relating to the financial institution account is provided in the tax
preparation software.
• Routing number,
• Account number,
• Type of account (checking or savings),
• Debit amount, and
• Debit date (date the organization wants the debit to occur).
An electronically transmitted return will not be considered complete (and
therefore not considered filed) unless either:
• Form 8453-EO is signed by an organization officer, scanned into a PDF file,
and transmitted with the return; or
• The return is filed through an ERO and Form 8879-EO is used to select a
PIN that is used to electronically sign the return.
The officer’s signature allows the IRS to disclose to the ISP, ERO, and/or
transmitter:
• An acknowledgment that the IRS has accepted the organization’s
electronically filed return, and
• The reason(s) for a delay in processing the return or refund.
The declaration of officer must be signed and dated by:
• The president, vice president, treasurer, assistant treasurer, chief
accounting officer; or
• Any other organization officer authorized to sign the organization’s return.
If this return contains instructions to the IRS to provide a copy(ies) of the
return to a state agency(ies) regulating charities as part of the IRS Fed/State
program, the checkbox in Part II must be checked.
Part III. Declaration of Electronic Return Originator
(ERO) and Paid Preparer
Note. If the return is filed online through an ISP and/or transmitter (not using
an ERO), don’t complete the ERO’s Use Only section in Part III.
If the organization’s return is filed through an ERO, the IRS requires the
ERO’s signature. A paid preparer, if any, must sign Form 8453-EO in the
space for Paid Preparer Use Only. But if the paid preparer is also the ERO,
don’t complete the paid preparer’s section. Instead, check the box labeled
Check if also paid preparer.
An ERO may sign the Form 8453-EO by rubber stamp, mechanical device,
or computer software program. The alternative method of signing must
include either a facsimile of the individual ERO’s signature or of the ERO’s
printed name.
Use of PTIN
Paid preparers. Anyone who is paid to prepare the organization’s return
must enter their PTIN in Part III. The PTIN entered must have been issued
after September 27, 2010. For information on applying for and receiving a
PTIN, see Form W-12, IRS Paid Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN)
Application and Renewal, or visit www.irs.gov/PTIN.
EROs who aren’t paid preparers. Only EROs who aren’t also the paid
preparer of the return have the option to enter their PTIN or their social
security number in the ERO’s Use Only section of Part III. If the PTIN is
entered, it must have been issued after September 27, 2010. For information
on applying for and receiving a PTIN, see Form W-12, or visit
www.irs.gov/PTIN.
Privacy Act and Paperwork Reduction Act Notice. We ask for the
information on this form to carry out the Internal Revenue laws of the United
States. You’re required to give us the information. We need it to ensure that
you’re complying with these laws and to allow us to figure and collect the
right amount of tax.
You’re not required to provide the information requested on a form that is
subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act unless the form displays a valid
OMB control number. Books or records relating to a form or its instructions
must be retained as long as their contents may become material in the
administration of any Internal Revenue law. Generally, tax returns and return
information are confidential, as required by section 6103. However, certain
returns and return information of tax exempt organizations and trusts are
subject to public disclosure and inspection, as provided by section 6104.
The time needed to complete and file this form will vary depending on
individual circumstances. The estimated burden for tax exempt organizations
filing this form is approved under OMB control number 1545-0047 and is
included in the estimates shown in the instructions for their information
return.