To my understanding, a Third Party Designee is an individual that is not the taxpayer or spouse that is authorized to speak to the IRS with regard to the return on which they are designated. However, in a couple of instances, I contacted the IRS to discuss a return on behalf of a taxpayer and the IRS requested that a POA (Form 2848) must be on file for that specific return and specific year before they can discuss the return with me. I did indicate that I was a 3rd party designee too. I am confused. Any thoughts?