Signatures (Basic): E-signing Joint Returns
Married filing jointly is often the best choice when only one spouse has an income or the most significant income. Here, find out how to request e-signatures from spouses to file a joint tax return.
Covered here:
Before you start
To proceed with the signature request:
- Check if both spouses have separate email addresses.
- Make sure both spouses' contacts are linked to the same account. For details, go to the article on accounts with a joint tax return.
- Check if both the taxpayer and the spouse have portal access to the account (Login must be toggled on for both their email addresses).
- Define the signer priority by using Signer 1 for the taxpayer and Signer 2 for the spouse (optional but will reduce clicks).
- Make sure the doc is saved in a folder with Client can view access
. If it is in a folder with different access rights, move it to one with Client can view access.
Requesting e-signatures for joint returns
To request e-signatures from a married couple, follow these steps:
1. Go to the Documents subtab of a client account, click the three dots to the far right of the PDF, then select Request Signature. For details, go to the article on requesting e-signatures.
2. Add signature fields for the taxpayer.
3. Select the spouse’s name in the Choose signer drop-down and add signature fields for the spouse.
For clarity, a different color is used for each signer.
4. Сlick Send.
What happens next?
Once you requested e-signatures from spouses:
- The taxpayer and the spouse receive an email with a unique link to the document pending e-signatures.
- They see that the document is pending e-signatures.
- When they are logged in with their email they see all the fields added to the document, but can only sign on their own field
- You receive a notification when each spouse signs the document; it lets you know whether the other has signed or not.
- Once someone has signed a document, the signature field cannot be edited.
- A document is marked Signed once both spouses have signed it.
- If someone fails the KBA or declines to sign, you’ll need to upload the prepared document and request both e-signatures again.