Discussion:Can anyone sign tax returns?

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Discussion Forum Index --> Business Growth Community --> Can anyone sign tax returns?

JDowning (talk|edits) said:

23 January 2009
I am an accountant/bookkeeper in Massachusetts. I currntly have 6 clients that are S-Corporations. I file the taxes for them and because I use proseries I have to enter firm information and say that I am the preparer, however I am not a CPA or EA and I don't have my Bachelors Degree yet either. Can I sign these tax returns as the preparer even though I am not a CPA?

Kevinh5 (talk|edits) said:

23 January 2009
if you are a paid preparer you MUST sign them.

Kevinh5 (talk|edits) said:

23 January 2009
(unless they take a position that is patently wrong, in which instance you should not even be preparing them).

AEM CPA (talk|edits) said:

23 January 2009
If you are paid to prepare the return, you are legally required to sign it.

AEM CPA (talk|edits) said:

23 January 2009
Sec. 6695b

Kevinh5 (talk|edits) said:

23 January 2009
Any consumer receiving an unsigned return from thier paid tax preparer should question their preparer's credentials.

CrowJD (talk|edits) said:

25 January 2009
Question them, but whatever you do, don't touch them.

Rgtaxservice (talk|edits) said:

25 January 2009
They've been known to bite.

CrowJD (talk|edits) said:

25 January 2009
This comes from experience Rgt. For instance, I've been known to question a young lady's credentials, but I've gotten slapped several times for touching them.

LJACPA (talk|edits) said:

30 June 2009
Several months later - and back on topic... I 'fired' a long time client after tax season this year (he got really ugly when he finally had to start paying me a decent fee). I had already prepared his returns and have been waiting on the 8829. Just emailed him a second time as a reminder that I have to have to efile. His response is that they are going to paper file. Of course, I only gave them a client file copy, thus I did not sign (I used to sign all client copies, but quit this year). He's unfriendly to say the least but I am willing to either efile - with the signed 8879 - or sign a filing copy (for which I will now charge an additional fee). What happens if he files with my name, PTIN, EIN, address, phone number and no signature?

Kevinh5 (talk|edits) said:

30 June 2009
what CAN happen

or what WILL PROBABLY happen?

Skassel (talk|edits) said:

30 June 2009
Does most software still allow you to give clients a watermarked version of a return? Don't recall and haven't done it in quite a while...just another reason why you don't give a copy of a return that can be used for filing until you have been paid in full.


As far as what you can do now...not much. Others have told clients that they will contact the IRS and "remove" their signature from the return....of course, since you didn't sign it, that is not an option.

LJACPA (talk|edits) said:

1 July 2009
To clarify, I have been paid in full (just not happily or as much as I should have been; another discussion...). Well, Kevin, you asked a question and I'm not sure what your point was. Can you elaborate? I just wondered if he did copy and file a return that has all my info on it and I don't sign it, do I have any concerns?

Wiles (talk|edits) said:

1 July 2009
Just tell him that you need to send him a signed copy and be done with it. Don't charge him for this 5 minutes of time it's gonna take you.

However, most likely the client is not filing that return anyway. Discussion:Client_wants_to_switch_to_a_paper_return

Kevinh5 (talk|edits) said:

1 July 2009
my point was to ask you to clarify your question. You asked 'what happens' and I asked whether you meant what COULD happen or what probably will happen. One is a question of law - what sanctions could the IRS apply? The other is a question of procedure - what do they normally do. The answers are at lengths apart.

CrowJD (talk|edits) said:

1 July 2009
If he does file it with your information on it, and it happens to come back at you, you just tell the IRS what this guy did. What else can you do?

I agree with Kevin, chances are, nothing will happen. Also, don't put it past this guy to buy some White Out (or to forge your signature).

Skassel (talk|edits) said:

1 July 2009
Paid in full is paid in full...I've never heard of paid in full, but not as much as I should have been...


I agree that sending him a signed copy of the return is the correct course of action.

Mscash (talk|edits) said:

3 July 2009
I'm waiting for the shoe to drop on this one too. I prepared returns for one client who had been hit with SFR assessments and contacted ACS to set up an installment agreement and file the returns. ACS told me to fax the returns I had (signed by the taxpayer but not me yet) and sent them for routine processing. I haven't heard anything so am presuming everything is OK since I did as IRS requested.

Cotopop (talk|edits) said:

4 July 2009
Your client seems to have some ulterior motives in paper filing (white out ,making chnages etc ).I had a similar situation a couple of years ago and pretty much strong armed my client to E-file which apparently in your case had a previous agreement to do. Tell him about faster processing etc. etc.but do your best to E-file.

Skassel (talk|edits) said:

4 July 2009
If there is a balance due, there is no benefit to the client to efile. Either he isn't filing at all or he will paper file to buy himself some extra time. At this point, it is the decision of the client. Period.
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