The Internal Revenue Service said it plans to simplify the signature process for electronically filed individual tax returns by allowing tax practitioners to avoid the need to send a paper signature document in support of their clients' e-filed returns.
Starting with the 2008 filing season, tax practitioners will be able to electronically file individual income tax returns if the returns are electronically signed with either a Self-Select Personal Identification Number or a Practitioner PIN.
The IRS said the change would simplify tracking, verification and follow-up.
Tax practitioners will no longer need to submit a paper signature using Form 8453. Instead, a newly designed Form 8453 will be available to transmit supporting paper documents.
