While I prepare and file my own returns electronically, not through an accountant, I'm relatively sure that the electronic "signature" procedure is probably similar. You need to provide a certain piece of information that only you would have. As I seem to recall, it is one specific line from your previous year's return; I believe it is AGI or modified AGI. You then swear on a stack of electronic bibles, or the legalese equivalent that it is you, and your spouse, if appropriate, who is making the electronic filing. Then you select a password, and it buzzes right through to the IRS site. They, I assume, check that pertinent piece of info, as well as the numbers presented on the return, and notify you, within a couple of days, that your return has been accepted.
If there is a problem with the information format, or something else that causes them to have a problem with your return, they can come back to you and tell you it was not accepted. I seem to recall that happening to me once, a number of years ago, but I was able to correct it and re-submit the return, but I can't say for certain if it was on paper or electronic. Since that time, however, it seems that the major tax prep programs have gotten much better at checking to make sure that the return will be accepted by the IRS, format and content-wise.
And as for writing a check, that is so-2000-ish. Nowadays, they prefer to direct-debit your account, and you can even delay the debit until the very last day, automatically. If you are fortunate enough to be getting a refund, they credit your account VERY quickly, and there is no "the check is in the mail" sob story.
Certainly the game is rigged. Don't let that stop you; if you don't bet, you can't win. -Lazarus Long
In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice. But, in practice, there is. -Yogi Berra
There is no such thing as luck. There is only adequate or inadequate preparation to cope with a statistical universe. -Robert Heinlein
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> From: Barry Glazer
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>Since I haven't done an electronic return with my accountant (yet - but 2011 might work out when I get around to it), can anyone tell me how you sign the return? They actually used to return the forms if you didn't sign them, so at one time a signature was important. I'm not familiar with how "electronic signatures" work (one of the tech-stupid areas of my life). Quite honestly, I don't see why they WOULD care, as long as you sign the check if you owe them money :)
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