A payroll reporting agent (RA) may sign Form 7200, Advance Payment of Employer Credits Due to COVID-19, for a client for which it has the authority, via Form 8655, Reporting Agent Authorization, to sign and file the employment tax return (e.g., Form 941, Employer's Quarterly Federal Tax Return). The signatory must be the Principal or Responsible Official listed on the RA's e-file application. The signatory may sign with ink on paper or may use the alternative signature method (rubber stamp, mechanical device, or computer software program; for details and required documentation, see Rev. Proc. 2005-39, 2005-28 I.R.B. 82). Consistent with Rev. Proc. 2005-39, an alternative signature must be in the form of a facsimile signature. The RA will submit the form via fax to 855-248-0552. The RA must obtain written authorization from the client (paper, fax, or e-mail) to perform these actions regarding the Form 7200. The RA need not submit that authorization to the IRS, but should retain it in its files so that the RA can furnish it to the IRS upon request. For a client for which a third party does not have a Reporting Agent Authorization, it may complete and print the form, or it may provide the client a means to complete and print the form, but the client will have to sign it. The signatory for the RA must sign, date, and print his or her name in the relevant boxes on Form 7200. In the box, "Printed Title," the signatory must include the RA company name or name of business as it appeared on line 9 of the Form 8655. If the RA company name or name of business from the Form 8655 is missing, the Form 7200 cannot be processed.
