Tax season hits, your accountant sends over Form 8879, and they need your signature before they can e-file your return. The old way? Print it, sign it, scan it, email it back. The better way? Sign it online in about 60 seconds.
Here's exactly how to do it -- and why it's perfectly legal.
What Is IRS Form 8879?
Form 8879 is the IRS e-file Signature Authorization. It's the form your tax preparer sends you so you can authorize them to electronically file your tax return on your behalf.
Think of it as a permission slip. Your accountant or tax software prepares your return, but they can't submit it to the IRS without your signature on Form 8879. It covers individual returns (1040), and there are variations for business returns too.
The key thing to know: Form 8879 is not filed with the IRS. It stays between you and your tax preparer. That means there are no special IRS requirements about how you sign it -- as long as your preparer accepts electronic signatures.
Can You Legally E-Sign Form 8879?
Yes. The IRS has allowed electronic signatures on Form 8879 since 2020, and they made it permanent. IRS guidance explicitly permits e-signatures for e-file authorization forms.
Your tax preparer needs to keep the signed form on file for three years, but it does not need to be a wet ink signature. An electronic signature with a clear record of who signed and when is fully acceptable.
This is backed by the ESIGN Act, which makes electronic signatures legally equivalent to handwritten ones for most documents in the United States.
How to Sign Form 8879 Online with CanUSign
Here's the step-by-step process. It takes less than a minute.
Step 1: Get Your Form 8879 PDF
Your tax preparer will usually email you the form as a PDF attachment. Save it to your computer or phone. If they use a tax portal, download the PDF from there.
Step 2: Upload to CanUSign
Go to canusign.com/en/create/upload and upload your Form 8879 PDF. No account required to get started. The upload works from any device -- desktop, tablet, or phone.
Step 3: Add Your Signature
Click where you need to sign on the form. You can:
- Draw your signature with your mouse, trackpad, or finger (on mobile)
- Type your name in a signature-style font
- Upload an image of your signature
Position it in the signature field on the form. Resize if needed.
Step 4: Add the Date
Most Form 8879s also need the date next to your signature. Add a text field with today's date.
Step 5: Download Your Signed PDF
Download the completed, signed PDF. Send it back to your tax preparer via email or upload it to their portal.
That's it. The whole process takes about 60 seconds. CanUSign costs $1 per document -- no subscription, no monthly fee, no hidden charges.
Why Not Just Use the Print-and-Scan Method?
You can. But here's why people are moving away from it:
- Speed. Printing, signing by hand, scanning, and emailing takes 10-15 minutes. Signing online takes one minute.
- No printer needed. A lot of people don't have printers at home anymore. And finding one at the office just for a signature feels like a waste of time.
- Quality. Scanned signatures often look blurry or crooked. A digital signature looks clean and professional every time.
- Works on your phone. Your accountant sends the form at 9 PM? Sign it from your couch on your phone and send it back immediately. No waiting until you're near a printer.
What About Using Adobe or Preview?
Built-in tools like Mac Preview or Adobe Acrobat Reader can add a drawn signature to a PDF. That works fine for basic documents.
But here's the advantage of using CanUSign: you get a proper audit trail. That means a record of exactly when the document was signed, creating stronger proof of authorization. For a tax document, that extra layer of verification is worth having.
Plus, CanUSign works on any device with a browser. No software to install, no app to download.
Tips for Signing Form 8879 Correctly
Check the numbers first. Before you sign, verify the adjusted gross income (AGI) and total tax amounts on the form match what your preparer discussed with you. Your signature means you're authorizing those numbers.
Sign in the right field. Form 8879 has separate signature lines for the taxpayer and spouse (if filing jointly). Make sure you sign in the correct spot. If filing jointly, both spouses need to sign.
Keep a copy. After signing and sending it back, save a copy of the signed form for your records. Your preparer is required to keep it for three years, but it's smart to have your own copy too.
Don't delay. Your preparer can't e-file until they have your signed 8879. The sooner you sign and return it, the sooner your return gets filed -- and the sooner you get your refund.
Other Tax Forms You Can Sign Online
Form 8879 isn't the only tax document you might need to sign electronically. Here are a few others that work the same way:
- Form 8878 -- e-file authorization for extensions
- Form 8453 -- US Individual Income Tax Transmittal for an IRS e-file Return
- Form 4868 -- Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File
- Engagement letters from your tax preparer
- State tax forms that require authorization signatures
All of these can be uploaded to CanUSign, signed electronically, and sent back as a clean PDF.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an electronic signature on Form 8879 valid?
Yes. The IRS has permanently authorized electronic signatures on Form 8879. Your tax preparer must retain the signed form for three years, but it does not need to be a physical signature.
Do I need to create an account to sign my tax form?
With CanUSign, you can upload and sign your PDF without creating an account first. It costs $1 per document with no subscription required.
Can I sign Form 8879 on my phone?
Absolutely. CanUSign works in any mobile browser. Upload the PDF, draw your signature with your finger, and download the signed document. No app installation needed.
What if I'm filing jointly?
Both spouses need to sign Form 8879 when filing a joint return. You can both sign the same PDF using CanUSign -- one after the other -- before sending it back to your preparer.
Sign Your Tax Form in 60 Seconds
Tax paperwork is tedious enough without adding a trip to the printer. Upload your Form 8879 to CanUSign, add your signature, and send it back to your accountant before your coffee gets cold.
One dollar. One minute. Done.