How to e-sign joint return

Married filing jointly is often the best choice when only one spouse has an income or the most significant income. If you file a joint tax return, both spouses will be requested to e-sign. Here, we will explain how it will look in your portal and what your steps are.

Covered here:

• E-signatures for joint returns, explained
• E-sign joint return
• The document is partially signed. What to do next?

E-signatures for joint returns, explained

As a rule, to request e-signatures from spouses, your tax preparer will need two e-mail addresses. These will be used for signing:

• The taxpayer and the spouse receive emails with unique links to the document pending e-signatures. The link is valid for seven days after it was sent.
• Each spouse can only sign in their own fields. 
• Once someone has signed a document, the signature field cannot be edited.
• A document is marked Signed once both spouses have signed it. 
• If a document is partially signed but has no e-signature fields, it means that it was signed by the first signee, but not by the other spouse.

E-sign joint return

E-signing joint returns is made by two signees. Each of them is intended to follow the steps below after they opened the document:

1. If you receive the signature request for the first time, read the Electronic Signatures Disclosure, agree to use e-signatures, check the box, and click Continue.

2. To start signing the document, click  Start signing at the top.

3. Review the content, then click the fields to e-sign where requested. Enter your signature and initials just once; they’re then used for subsequent documents.

4. Click Next to highlight the next field. Note: You cannot sign a document until all fields are filled in.

5. Once all fields are filled in, click Finish. Make sure your spouse has completed the same steps. 

The document is partially signed. What to do next?

Once one of the signers e-signs, the document's status is changed to partially signed. By hovering the mouse on the status in the Documents section, you may see the email of the person who needs to sign. 

Depending on the way you are using your account, the spouse may need to:

• If the spouse doesn't have a separate email, and there are additional fields to sign for both, edit the signature when signing as a spouse.
• If you have access to the same client account from two email addresses, switch between profiles and complete e-signing. 
• If the spouse doesn't have access to the client account, make sure to find the email with the Document needs your signature in your mailbox and follow the link to sign