E-sign 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 married couples to file a joint tax return. You can do it even if the spouse doesn’t have access to the client portal.

Before you start

To proceed with the signature request:

• Check if both spouses have separate email addresses. You don’t need to add a spouse as a contact, but the separate email address is required .

  

  Tip

  If both spouses share a single email address, you can still request e-signatures. In this case, use the “+1” email method (e.g., youremail@gmail.com and youremail+1@gmail.com ). For details, see this article .

  If both spouses are added as contacts:

• Make sure they are linked to the same account. For details, go to the article on accounts with a joint tax return .

• 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. 

Request e-signatures for joint returns

To request e-signatures from a married couple, click the Request signature icon in the top-right corner of the document viewer. You can also click the three dots next to the document name in the document list and 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 Signers list if both spouses are added as contacts. If not, click Add signer and add them using their email address . Then, 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 emails with unique links to the document pending e-signatures. The link is valid for seven days after it was sent.

• They see that the document is pending e-signatures.

• They can only sign on their own fields. 

• 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.

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