An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member on which a toner image is formed. The toner image is transferred onto a transfer material by contacting the transfer material to the image bearing member and applying corona discharge to the back side of the transfer material. The present invention is characterized by the charge removing needles to which a particular voltage is applied. The voltage is such that the discharge occurs between the charge removing electrode needles and the back side of the transfer material when it is present, or the surface of the image bearing member when it is absent only when the transfer corona discharger is operated, and therefore, the air surrounding the needles is ionized. Thus, the discharge does not occur when the transfer charger is not operated, but occurs automatically when the transfer charger is operated.