Form M 8379 (2017)

Use a Form M 8379 2017 template to make your document workflow more streamlined.

What is Form M 8379 (2017)?

Form M 8379 (2017) is an IRS form used by an injured spouse to request allocation of the portion of a joint federal tax refund attributable to that spouse. It identifies both spouses, describes the joint return, and allocates applicable income, adjustments, deductions, credits, and other items. The completed form accompanies the related joint return through the IRS filing process. signNow can help prepare, route, sign, and retain the document, but the IRS determines eligibility, processing, and filing requirements.

Injured spouse filers

Individuals filing a joint federal income tax return may use Form M 8379 when one spouse seeks allocation of the portion of a refund attributable to that spouse. The form collects identifying information and allocation details for income, adjustments, deductions, credits, and other jointly reported items. A tax professional can review the completed allocation before submission through the applicable IRS filing process.

Tax professionals

Tax preparation firms and enrolled professionals can prepare Form M 8379 alongside a joint return, gather both spouses’ information, and retain the signed allocation worksheet. signNow can organize the document review and signature record, but the IRS determines filing procedures, eligibility, and processing of the federal tax claim.

How Form M 8379 works

Form M 8379 works by collecting spouse and allocation information, documenting the requested refund allocation, and accompanying the applicable joint return through the IRS filing process.

Prepare details: Prepare the IRS allocation information and supporting figures.
Upload and review: Upload Form M 8379 to signNow and review detected fields.
Send securely: Send the prepared form to the required signer or reviewer.
Complete and retain: Complete signatures, export records, and follow IRS submission instructions.

Complete Form M 8379 in signNow

Prepare the IRS information first, then use signNow to route the completed Form M 8379 for review, signature, and recordkeeping.

Upload form:
Upload the Form M 8379 PDF to signNow.
Check fields:
Review auto-detected fields and add missing allocation fields.
Assign signers:
Assign each required field to the correct signer.
Send form:
Send the prepared form for review and signature.
Store evidence:
Export the signed PDF and audit trail for records.

Setting	Recommendation
Authentication method	Email verification with SMS OTP
Signature type	Electronic signature with signer intent
Audit trail	Capture and export the completion record
Document retention	Keep with tax records under IRC §6501(a)
Encryption	TLS 1.2/1.3 and AES-256 protection

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Protect personal information in Form M 8379 workflows

Social Security numbers and financial details can appear in signed Form M 8379 copies shared with unauthorized recipients.
Missing consent records can weaken evidence that each spouse agreed to electronic delivery and signature procedures.
Unrestricted team access may expose Form M 8379 allocation details beyond staff handling the tax filing.
Emailing completed forms without controlled permissions can disclose taxpayer information or create untracked duplicate copies.

Signer authentication:

Record the authentication event and signer access details.

Timestamp capture:

Capture the date and time for each action.

Document hashing:

Associate the completed document with an integrity hash.

Tamper sealing:

Seal the record against unnoticed post-signing changes.

Action history:

Record signatures, views, reminders, and status changes.

Audit export:

Retrieve or export the audit trail with the final PDF.

Find and fill out the correct form m 8379 2017

airSlate SignNow helps you fill in and sign documents in minutes, error-free. Choose the correct version of the editable PDF form from the list and get started filling it out.

Versions	Form popularity	Fillable & printable
2017 MA DoR M-8379 2024	4.8 Satisfied (119 Votes)
2017 MA DoR M-8379 2022	4.8 Satisfied (1096 Votes)
2017 MA DoR M-8379 2020	4.8 Satisfied (1815 Votes)
2017 MA DoR M-8379 2017	4.6 Satisfied (443 Votes)

Retain Form M 8379 records carefully

Preserve the signed allocation form with supporting tax records, consent evidence, audit history, and the applicable federal retention analysis.

Retain the form with supporting tax records

Keep the completed Form M 8379, supporting allocation calculations, consent evidence, and transmission records together. The IRS retention period can depend on the underlying return and circumstances; IRC §6501(a) generally provides a three-year assessment period, with longer periods in specified cases.

Export the audit trail with the final copy

Export the signNow audit trail after all required signatures are collected. Preserve signer identity evidence, timestamps, IP information, document history, and the final PDF in a controlled repository so the allocation record can be reconstructed without relying on an active account.

Limit access to taxpayer information

Restrict access to staff assigned to the joint return or tax review. Use role-based permissions and separate working drafts from the completed Form M 8379, especially when Social Security numbers, income figures, or refund allocations are included.

Document the applicable retention rule

Apply the retention rule that governs the related federal tax return and any applicable state recordkeeping requirement. Do not delete Form M 8379 solely because signing is complete; document the retention decision and preserve readable, reproducible copies.

Form M 8379 retention schedule

Keep Form M 8379 with the related joint tax return and supporting allocation records, applying the governing federal and state retention rules.

Tax return records — three years

Retain for three years from filing under IRC §6501(a), subject to longer statutory periods.

Understatement records — six years

Retain six years when the related return involves a 25% or greater income understatement.

Fraud or no return — indefinitely

Retain indefinitely when fraud is involved or no return was filed.

HIPAA records — six years

Retain six years from creation or last effective date when HIPAA-covered records contain protected health information.

State requirements — verify applicable rule

Apply state retention rules when they exceed federal requirements for the related tax records.

Risks of mishandling Form M 8379

Incorrect allocation

Refund allocation dispute

Incomplete submission

IRS processing delay

Missing audit trail

Weak signing evidence

Uncontrolled copies

Privacy exposure

Platform requirements for Form M 8379

Use an up-to-date Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge browser on Windows or macOS. signNow mobile apps support iOS and Android workflows for reviewing and signing prepared documents. Connections use TLS 1.2 or TLS 1.3 for data in transit.

Browsers Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge
Desktop systems Windows and macOS desktops
Mobile access iOS and Android apps

Tax practices should use managed devices, approved browser settings, and access controls when handling Form M 8379. Enterprise deployments may configure API access and SSO provisioning where available. Confirm that exported PDFs, audit trails, and supporting tax records remain readable throughout the organization’s retention period.

Connect Form M 8379 workflows

Connect Form M 8379 records with approved business systems to route taxpayer documents, preserve completed copies, and coordinate review without repeatedly uploading files.

Legal standing of Form M 8379

Form M 8379 is an IRS tax allocation document, so its evidentiary value depends on accurate taxpayer information, demonstrated signer intent, consent where electronic delivery is used, and a reproducible record. ESIGN and UETA generally recognize qualifying electronic signatures, but they exclude wills, certain court orders, and other listed records.

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Form M 8379 troubleshooting questions

Resolve identity, allocation, consent, signing, and IRS-submission questions before treating a Form M 8379 copy as complete.

Form M 8379 contains an incorrect Social Security number. Correct the identifying information before signing, because signNow’s audit trail records the submitted document rather than determining IRS eligibility or correcting tax data.

The IRS requires allocation information that the template does not contain. Add the applicable fields before sending, then compare income, adjustments, deductions, credits, and refund figures with the joint return. Business plans provide templates and audit trails, but tax accuracy remains the filer’s responsibility.

A signer cannot access the document link. Confirm the recipient email, resend the invitation, or use a controlled signing link. signNow Business includes legally binding eSignatures and audit trails; the signer should review the complete Form M 8379 before signing.

A consumer-facing electronic record may require consent and access disclosures under ESIGN, 15 U.S.C. §7001(c). Obtain appropriate consent before electronic delivery, retain the disclosure evidence, and use signNow’s document history and audit trail to preserve signing activity.

The completed document must still follow the IRS submission route applicable to the filer’s return. signNow Business can retain the signed copy and audit trail, but it does not determine whether Form M 8379 must accompany a paper or electronic filing.

Business Premium includes bulk send, while Business includes templates and audit trails. For a single Form M 8379 workflow, Business may provide the listed core tools; confirm plan limits and tax-practice requirements before choosing a subscription.

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