IRS Extends e-Signatures on Tax Forms through Oct. 31, 2023

The Internal Revenue Service is extending the ability to electronically sign a number of different tax forms and compliance documents through the end of October 2023.

In Memos NHQ-10-1121-0005 and NHQ-01-1121-0004, the IRS is extending the capability, which it had introduced during the pandemic so taxpayers wouldn’t need to visit their tax practitioners’ offices. The memos revise and supersede the extension that the IRS provided on April 15, which was going to expire at the end of this year. Now e-signatures will be allowed through Oct. 31, 2023. The IRS also added Form 1042, Annual Withholding Tax Return for U.S. Source Income of Foreign Persons, to the list.

“As part of our response to the COVID-19 situation, we have taken steps to protect employees, taxpayers and their representatives by minimizing the need for in-person contact,” said Douglas O’Donnell, deputy commissioner for services and enforcement at the IRS. “Taxpayer representatives have expressed concerns with securing handwritten signatures during these times for forms that are required to be filed or maintained on paper. To alleviate these concerns while promoting timely filing, we are implementing a deviation with this memorandum that allows taxpayers and representatives to use electronic or digital signatures when signing certain forms that currently require a handwritten signature.”

(Source: AccountingToday – Tax Pro Today – December 2, 2021)