1040 E-file: Selecting Signature Options

For federal 1040 extension e-file, PINs and Form 8878 are not required unless there is a payment with the extension.

The taxpayer can provide a practitioner- or self-selected PIN/Signature Authorization. For more information on PINs, see 1040 E-file: Appendix C - PIN Information.

Select E-file > Extensions > Signature Authorization.
Select the type of PIN signature: Form 8879 - Practitioner PIN or Self-Select PIN.
Select the appropriate option to indicate who entered the PIN into the program: ERO or Taxpayer/spouse.
If you select Taxpayer/spouse and Self-Select PIN, Form 8878 will not print. The preparer must keep the signed Form 8879 for three years. Do NOT send Form 8878 to the IRS!
For the taxpayer/spouse, you can select one or both of the following options:
- randomly generate the taxpayer and spouse PINs
- randomly generate the ERO PIN.
Enter the five-digit PINs (the numbers cannot contain all zeros) for the taxpayer, spouse, and ERO. For more information on self-select PINs, see 1040 E-file: Appendix C - PIN Information.
Enter the date the PIN(s) were entered into the program.
Enter the taxpayer’s 2019 Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) on the original return filed (not from an amended return) or 2019 PIN or EFP (E-file PIN) obtained from the IRS.
If you are preparing a joint return in 2020, but the spouse filed a separate return in 2019, enter the spouse’s 2019 AGI or 2019 PIN. If the AGI was zero or negative, enter NONE.
For taxpayers under the age of 16, indicate if the underage taxpayer is under 16 but is not a first-time filer. Filers under 16 cannot use PINs unless they indicate that they have filed in the past.
For Form 2350 extension only, enter the following:
- agent name
- agent PIN signature
- agent signature date.

E-file/1040_ef_ext_3.htm/TY2020

Last Modified: 08/13/2020

Last System Build: 09/13/2021