If I'm doing paper returns for my client, can I use the Esignature?

[lapsonluu]

Or is Esignature useful for Efile set up only. 

[IRonMaN]

What do you need electronically signed if you are paper filing the returns?

[lapsonluu]

We have some clients that are out of state that would like to file with us. I wanted to see if we can use the esignature functionality to have them digitally sign where they are at,  before we mail out the paper returns. 

[sjrcpa]

I have to ask, why are you doing paper returns? 

IRS has a huge mail backlog from 2019 tax returns, and the postal "service" sucks.

[sjrcpa]

IRS will not accept digital, scanned, or photographed signature on a paper filed 1040.

[BobKamman]

@sjrcpa 

I have to ask, why do you think they care?  (It could be a zero-balance return. And if there is tax owed, IRS gladly accepts online payments withut a signature.)

[sjrcpa]

I have no idea.