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Tax Resolution Agreement

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TAX RESOLUTION AGREEMENT

This Tax Resolution Agreement (Agreement) is entered into as of Effective Date: by and between Taxpayer Name: and Tax Resolution Firm Name: .

1. Taxpayer Identification

2. Entity Type

Select applicable entity type (check one):

3. Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN)

Provide the Taxpayer Identification Number. Enter either Social Security Number (SSN) or Employer Identification Number (EIN).

4. Engagement and Scope of Services

Representative is retained to perform professional tax resolution services on behalf of Taxpayer related to the following matters and tax periods: Tax Years / Matters:

5. Fees, Retainer and Billing

The fee for services will be set forth as follows. Any retainer paid will be applied against fees and expenses consistent with the terms below.

6. Authorization to Represent and Release of Information

Taxpayer authorizes Representative to act on Taxpayer's behalf before federal, state and local taxing authorities identified in this Agreement, to obtain and review tax records, to execute consents or agreements reasonably necessary to carry out the engagement, and to receive confidential information necessary to represent Taxpayer.

7. Client Responsibilities

8. Confidentiality; Use of Information

Representative will maintain as confidential those records and other information obtained in the course of the engagement, except as authorized by Taxpayer or required by law. Representative may disclose information to accountants, counsel, or third parties as necessary to perform services, provided such parties are bound to maintain confidentiality.

9. Limitation of Liability and Indemnification

Representative's liability for any claim arising from this Agreement shall be limited to direct damages not to exceed amounts paid by Taxpayer to Representative for the specific services giving rise to the claim. Taxpayer agrees to indemnify and hold Representative harmless from claims, liabilities, losses and expenses arising from Taxpayer's breach of representations or failure to provide complete and accurate information.

10. Term, Termination and Withdrawal

This Agreement commences on the Effective Date and continues until completion of the described services unless earlier terminated by either party upon written notice. Representative may withdraw if Taxpayer fails to cooperate, to pay fees when due, or for conflicts of interest, subject to any applicable rules governing practice before taxing authorities.

11. Governing Law; Dispute Resolution

This Agreement is governed by the laws of the state specified below. Parties agree that any dispute arising from this Agreement shall be resolved by binding arbitration, unless otherwise agreed in writing.

12. Representations and Warranties of Taxpayer

Taxpayer represents and warrants that all information provided to Representative is complete and accurate to the best of Taxpayer's knowledge, that Taxpayer has authority to enter into this Agreement, and that Taxpayer will timely provide truthful documents and disclosures necessary for representation.

13. No Guarantee of Result

Taxpayer acknowledges and agrees that Representative cannot guarantee any particular result, including reduction of tax liabilities, penalties or interest, or acceptance of offers by taxing authorities. Any estimate, projection, or example provided is not a promise or guaranty.

14. Records Retention

Representative will retain file materials consistent with professional standards. Original taxpayer documents remain the property of Taxpayer unless otherwise agreed. Representative may destroy closed files after a reasonable retention period unless Taxpayer requests return in writing.

15. Certification; Perjury Acknowledgment

Under penalties of perjury, Taxpayer certifies the truth and accuracy of the information provided in this Agreement and acknowledges the following representations:

  1. Taxpayer is the individual or entity named in this Agreement and has provided the correct Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) above.
  2. Taxpayer has disclosed all material information and documents known to Taxpayer that are relevant to the matters described in this Agreement.
  3. Taxpayer authorizes Representative to act on Taxpayer's behalf for the scope of matters specified, including obtaining and executing documents necessary to pursue resolution.
  4. Taxpayer understands that making materially false statements or concealing material facts may subject Taxpayer to civil or criminal penalties under applicable law.

16. Additional Terms

By signing below, Taxpayer acknowledges having read, understood, and agreed to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, authorizes Representative as described, and certifies the accuracy of the information provided herein under penalty of perjury.

Taxpayer Name:

Signature:

Date:

Enter text✕

What the Tax Resolution Agreement Is and when it applies

A Tax Resolution Agreement is a written engagement between a taxpayer and a tax professional or firm that defines representation, services, fees, and mutual responsibilities for resolving federal or state tax issues. Typical elements include scope of representation, authorization to communicate with tax authorities (for example, Form 2848 power of attorney), fee and payment terms, confidentiality and data handling, termination conditions, and a description of the actions the representative will take on the taxpayer's behalf. When executed and retained, the agreement documents consent and preserves evidence of the client relationship for audits or disputes.

Why a clear Tax Resolution Agreement matters

A clear, written agreement sets expectations, limits liability, and documents authorization for representation with tax authorities. It protects both parties, reduces misunderstandings about fees and scope, and provides a record relied upon during audits or regulatory review.

Why a clear Tax Resolution Agreement matters

Who prepares and signs Tax Resolution Agreements

Typical users include licensed tax professionals, law firms, and taxpayers engaged in dispute resolution or negotiated settlements with tax agencies.

  • Tax resolution firms and enrolled agents representing clients before the IRS and state departments of revenue.
  • Certified public accountants and tax attorneys providing negotiation, audit defense, or installment agreement services.
  • Small business owners and individual taxpayers formalizing representation and fee arrangements for tax issues.

The agreement clarifies responsibilities for notices, appeals, documentation delivery, and payment instructions, helping prevent downstream disputes and missed deadlines.

Step-by-step: preparing and signing the agreement

Follow a consistent sequence to minimize errors: gather documents, enter client data, confirm scope, obtain signatures, and retain copies for required periods.

  • 01
    Gather documents: Collect IDs, prior returns, correspondence, and power of attorney forms.
  • 02
    Enter client data: Complete name, TIN, address, and contact details exactly as on file.
  • 03
    Confirm scope: Specify covered tax periods, services, and limitations in plain language.
  • 04
    Sign and retain: Execute signatures, date the form, and store the executed copy securely.

Configure an online workflow for this agreement

Set up the digital workflow to collect information and signatures while preserving audit evidence and required attachments.

Field Configuration
Signer Authentication Email link with optional SMS code or stronger MFA for identity proofing.
Required Attachments Attach prior-year returns or ID scans using mandatory upload fields.
Signature Order Specify signing order when multiple parties or representatives sign.
Audit Trail Enable full timestamps, IP logging, and certificate of completion.

Typical eSubmission flow for a Tax Resolution Agreement

Digital submission follows a short sequence that captures consent, identity, and the signed record for retention and audit.

  • Upload document: Prepare and upload the executed agreement template as a PDF or DOCX.
  • Place fields: Add signature, date, and data fields and mark required attachments.
  • Send to signers: Deliver by email or secure link and request authentication.
  • Capture audit trail: Recording of timestamps, IP, and actions completes the signed record.

Core clauses every professional agreement should include

A well-drafted Tax Resolution Agreement reduces ambiguity. Include these clauses to protect client and adviser rights and to document the representation clearly.

Scope

Define covered tax years, specific services (audit defense, offers-in-compromise, installment agreements), and any explicit exclusions to prevent scope creep and billing disputes.

Authority

State whether the representative may contact the IRS or state agencies directly and reference Form 2848 or other required authorizations for third-party access.

Fees

Describe fixed fees, hourly rates, retainers, payment schedules, and refund or termination fee mechanics to minimize billing misunderstandings.

Client obligations

List documents the client must provide, deadlines, truthful disclosures, and cooperation requirements to support representation.

Confidentiality

Address client data protection measures, HIPAA or other privacy needs where applicable, and limits on disclosure consistent with professional obligations.

Termination

Specify how either party may end the engagement, notice requirements, final billing, and records transfer procedures upon termination.

Security, compliance, and record integrity considerations

Encryption: TLS 1.2/1.3 in transit; AES-256 at rest
Audit Trail: Timestamps, IPs, action logs retained
HIPAA: BAA required for protected health information
ESIGN / UETA: Meets ESIGN and UETA legal tests
Certifications: SOC 2 Type II and ISO 27001
21 CFR Part 11: Supports FDA-regulated record controls

Common pitfalls to avoid

  • Using an unsigned or undated agreement that leaves representation timing ambiguous.
  • Failing to attach or reference Form 2848 when direct communication with the IRS is intended.
  • Mismatched names or TINs that trigger backup withholding or IRS verification delays.
  • Omitting clear fee terms, which can lead to disputes over billed services and refunds.

Penalties and legal risks of incorrect or missing elements

1099 penalties: IRC §6721: $60/$130/$330 per form depending on lateness
Intentional disregard: IRC §6721: $660+ per form with no maximum
Backup withholding: 24% withholding risk for incorrect or missing TIN
I-9 paperwork: Civil fines $281–$2,789 for compliance failures
Client disputes: Ambiguous scope increases malpractice or breach claims
Data breaches: HIPAA and state privacy exposure for unprotected records

Key filing and response deadlines to reference

Track statutory filing and information return dates; missing these deadlines can trigger penalties under the IRC and delay resolution efforts.

Provide W-9 on request:

No fixed deadline; deliver to payer when requested to avoid backup withholding.

1099-NEC deadline:

Recipient and IRS copies due January 31 each year.

1099-MISC deadlines:

Recipient due January 31; paper to IRS by Feb 28; electronic by Mar 31.

Individual return:

Form 1040 due April 15; extensions to Oct 15 with Form 4868.

FBAR filing:

FinCEN Form 114 due April 15 with automatic extension to Oct 15.

Real-world examples of secure digital agreements

Organizations use eSignature and secure workflows to execute client agreements and preserve compliance evidence for audits or client records.

Optica Ventures LLC

Optica adopted digital signing for client engagements to reduce turnaround.

  • Faster client acceptance and fewer physical mail delays.
  • "The interface is simple and easy-to-use for our team; more importantly, it is just as easy for our customers."

Brian Fitzgibbons, COO, Optica Ventures LLC

Fertility Centers of Illinois

The organization centralized signature collection for sensitive client forms and agreements.

  • Improved format control and record retention.
  • "The airSlate SignNow team has been exceptional, responsive, the API has been great, and we're extremely happy that we chose airSlate SignNow as a company."

John Butler, Founder, Fertility Centers of Illinois

Vendor pricing and capability snapshot for eSignature use

Compare baseline pricing and common enterprise features relevant to executing and storing signed Tax Resolution Agreements; signNow appears first for direct comparison.

signNow DocuSign Adobe Sign PandaDoc HelloSign
Starting Price $8/user/mo $15/user/mo $14/user/mo $19/user/mo $15/user/mo
Free Trial 7-day free trial 30-day trial 30-day trial Free trial available Free trial available
Bulk Send Yes (Business Premium) Yes Yes Yes No
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes (BAA required) Yes (BAA available) Yes (BAA available) Varies by plan Varies by plan

Frequently asked questions about execution and eSignature

Answers to common questions about electronic signing, POA, notarization, and record retention when using a Tax Resolution Agreement.


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