The IRS today announced that the use of digital signatures will be allowed temporarily on certain forms and returns that cannot be filed electronically in an effort to reduce in-person contact and lessen the risk to taxpayers and tax professionals during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
The IRS release—IR-2020-194 (August 28, 2020)—states that the following forms and returns (which cannot be e-filed and generally must be printed and mailed) can be submitted with digital signatures if filed on or before December 31, 2020:
The IRS stated that it will not specify which digital signature product must be used by taxpayers, and that several commercial products are available.
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