COVID Tax Tip 2020-116: E-signatures temporarily allowed on some tax forms

Internal Revenue Service (IRS) sent this bulletin at 09/09/2020 11:40 AM EDT

IRS Tax Tips

September 9, 2020

Issue Number: COVID Tax Tip 2020-116

E-signatures temporarily allowed on some tax forms

Taxpayers are encouraged to e-file forms this year, whenever possible, because of COVID-19. To protect the health of taxpayers and tax professionals, the IRS is temporarily allowing the use of digital signatures on some tax forms that can’t be filed electronically.

This will help reduce in-person contact and lessen the risk to taxpayers and tax professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic. It will also allow people to work remotely and file forms on time.

Here is a list of additional forms that can be submitted with digital signatures, if they’re mailed by Thursday, Dec. 31, 2020.

Form 3115, Application for Change in Accounting Method
Form 8832, Entity Classification Election
Form 8802, Application for U.S. Residency Certification
Form 1066, U.S. Income Tax Return for Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduit
Form 1120-RIC, U.S. Income Tax Return for Regulated Investment Companies
Form 1120-C, U.S. Income Tax Return for Cooperative Associations
Form 1120-REIT, U.S. Income Tax Return for Real Estate Investment Trusts
Form 1120-L, U.S. Life Insurance Company Income Tax Return
Form 1120-PC, U.S. Property and Casualty Insurance Company Income Tax Return
Form 8453 series, Form 8878 series, and Form 8879 series regarding IRS e-file Signature Authorization Forms

There’s no specific digital signature product tax professionals are required to use to e-file these forms.

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COVID Tax Tip 2020-116: E-signatures temporarily allowed on some tax forms

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Issue Number: COVID Tax Tip 2020-116