Obtaining Authorization Form Signatures

Taxpayers and, if applicable, spouses must sign the following authorization forms before returns can be released to taxing authorities:

• Form 8879-PE or 8453-PE for a Partnership return
• Form 8453-F or 8879-F for a Fiduciary return
• Form 8879-EO or 8453-EO for an Exempt Organization
• Form 8879 for an Individual return
• Forms 8879-C and 8879-S for Corporation and S Corporation returns

The taxpayer and ERO are required to sign a return with a PIN entered on the General > Electronic Filing worksheet.

For Employee Benefit Plan returns, the General > Electronic Filing worksheet should contain PINs and EFAST2 IDs for the Administrator, Sponsor, and DFE, or the Service Provider and a PDF scan of the signed signature page.

You have two methods of obtaining signatures:

• Obtain paper signatures. Print the return signature forms to send to the taxpayer and, if applicable, spouse for a paper signatures. You can print the authorization forms to obtain paper signatures before or after exporting the return.
• Obtain digital signatures. Send the return to CCH eSign to obtain digital signatures. This option is provided during the export process. For more detailed information, see CCH eSign Guides and References.