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Digital Signatures Now Accepted on Six Additional Forms

Digital Signatures Now Accepted on Six Additional Forms

On August 28, the IRS announced it would temporarily allow the use of digital signatures on certain forms that cannot be filed electronically to help protect the health of taxpayers and tax professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This week the IRS added the following six forms to the list of those that can be signed digitally:

  • Form 706, U.S. Estate (and Generation-Skipping Transfer) Tax Return
  • Form 706-NA, U.S. Estate (and Generation-Skipping Transfer) Tax Return
  • Form 709, U.S. Gift (and Generation-Skipping Transfer) Tax Return
  • Form 1120-ND, Return for Nuclear Decommissioning Funds and Certain Related Persons
  • Form 3520, Annual Return To Report Transactions With Foreign Trusts and Receipt of Certain Foreign Gifts
  • Form 3520-A, Annual Information Return of Foreign Trust With a U.S. Owner

These forms join the following forms originally on the list to qualify for electronic signatures:

  • 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; and
  • Form 8453 series, Form 8878 series, and Form 8879 series regarding IRS e-file Signature Authorization Forms.

These forms will be accepted with digital signatures so long as they are mailed on or before December 31, 2020.

The IRS will continue to monitor this temporary option for e-signatures and determine if additional steps are needed.