Errors to Avoid When Signing Your Tax Return

As it turns out, quite a bit. Juliet Capulet likely never filed a 1040 tax return, but if she did, she would know that her name and signature is an important, final step before submitting her return off to the IRS.

Everyone knows a tax return has to be signed, but that doesn't stop thousands of returns from becoming unprocessable because the signature was missing or incorrect. Here are a few guidelines when it comes to your name and signature.

Joint return? Both spouses must sign.

If you are filing a joint tax return, then both you and your spouse must sign the return in order to validate it. This is true even if your spouse had no reportable income.

What if your spouse is prevented from signing due an impairment or because he or she is serving in a combat zone?

IRS Publication 501, Exemptions, Standard Deductions and Filing Information, says you can sign your spouse's name in the proper space on the return followed by the words "By (your name), Husband" or "Wife." Attach a dated statement, signed by you, to the return. The statement should include the form number of the return you are filing, the tax year, the reason your spouse cannot sign, and that your spouse has agreed to your signing for him or her.

If your spouse died before the return could be signed, then any court- or will-appointed fiduciary must sign in their place. If no appointment was made, you can sign the return for your spouse and enter "Filing as surviving spouse" next to your name.

Did someone prepare your return?

Remember, even though you may have entrusted the preparation, and overall accuracy of your return to a third party, you are solely responsible for everything that is on, or not on, that tax return.

A preparer must sign the tax return at the very bottom, below your signature. They also must provide their PTIN (Preparer's Tax Identification Number) and or the name, address and Employer ID Number of the company they work for.

Third Party Designee

You can also elect to name a person as a third party designee. The designee then has the ability to discuss the return with the IRS on your behalf. The designee can be a preparer, friend, family member or any other person you choose.

As a third party designee, they can do the following:

* Give the IRS information that may be missing from the return

* Call and find out the status of the return of refund

* Receive copies of notices or account transcripts upon request

* Respond to notices as they relate to the return, such as processing or math errors.

They cannot represent you in any legal capacity and they cannot handle a matter regarding any delinquent tax balance that has been turned over to IRS collection. Their designation also expires one year after the due date of the current year return.

Child's return

If your child cannot sign the return, then either parent may sign for him or her. Sign the child's name in the space provided and enter "By (your signature), parent for minor child."

Electronic Signatures

When you prepare and send in your tax return electronically, you will be prompted to create a Personal Identification Number (PIN). This self-select PIN serves in place of your signature, and carries the same merit as does your actual signature signed under penalty of perjury.

If you are filing joint, both you and your spouse will both need to create a distinct PIN. If this is the first year you are using a PIN, you must also enter your prior year return's Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) to verify your identity. If you filed electronically last year, you can use the same PIN to verify your identity instead of having to enter your AGI.

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