Form 8879 was previously required to be hand- signed by the taxpayer before the return was e- filed. The IRS provided guidance for individual taxpayers on e- signing a tax return if the return is to be e- filed with the IRS in IRS Publication 1345, Handbook for Authorized IRS e- file Providers of Individual Income Tax Returns (available at irs.gov/pub/ irs- pdf/p1345.pdf). In March 2014, the IRS first allowed taxpayers to use e- signatures on income tax returns.
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This did not apply to signed elections, applications for changes in accounting methods, powers of attorney, or consent forms. In 2004, the IRS allowed income tax return preparers to use computer software programs, rubber stamps, or a mechanical device such as a signature pen to sign original returns, amended returns, or requests for filing extensions. 6061 further explains that the Treasury secretary may waive the requirement for a signature or may provide an alternative method to sign tax returns or other documents. 105- 206, to instruct the secretary of the Treasury to "develop procedures for the acceptance of signatures in digital or other electronic form" (RRA, §2003(b)(1)).
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6061 was amended in 1998 as part of the Internal Revenue Service Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998 (RRA), P.L. 6061 originally provided that any tax return, statement, or other document "shall be signed in accordance with forms or regulations prescribed by the Secretary." Sec. History of IRS's acceptance of e-signatures The remainder of this column discusses the history of IRS e- signature requirements and guidelines, along with the forms and documents currently allowed to be e- signed, including those allowed through temporary exceptions. Due to COVID- 19, the IRS released temporary exceptions to the rules prohibiting e- signatures, but tax professionals must be aware these are temporary exceptions, and, absent further action, the exceptions will expire.
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The requirement of hand- to- paper signatures is unacceptable in an era in which technology continues to change the tax preparation process at a rapid pace, and physically signing returns limits the ability to file returns accurately and on time.ĬOVID- 19 has brought many challenges to tax professionals, the IRS, and taxpayers - one is how to hand- sign a tax return when many tax practitioners' offices are closed. The burden on the taxpayer to print, sign, and then return the form to the tax return preparer is significant compared to the minimal effort required for e- signing a form. The majority of all tax returns are e- filed, but the rules for many of these returns require a wet signature. With technology advances and a need to modernize interactions with the IRS, there has been a long- standing call from tax professionals for IRS guidelines and procedures to allow e- signatures for all IRS documents.
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The IRS has historically required hand- to- paper signatures ("wet signatures") for tax returns, election statements, and other IRS documents unless alternative methods are published.