Signing a 2553 with a POA

[Judy rocks]

I'm an EA. Can I sign my clients 2553 ( Election by a Small Business Corp of S Corporation status) with my POA or do I need to have my client sign it. The S Corporation has only one shareholder.

[JohnH]

I wouldn't sign it, even though I might have a POA.
I'd want the client's signature on this one - no exceptions.

[Gary2]

Technically, I believe you'd need a POA under the S-Corp's EIN. But I agree with John, some things should be signed by the client for your mutual protection.

[JohnH]

I probably need to clarify what I was saying.
Reason tells me that most clients can be trusted and very small number cannot be trusted.
I just don't know which of them to distrust, so...

[Judy rocks]

But I can for convenience sake

Thanks for reminding me that we need to be careful .... But if I send it in signed with a copy of my POA it's not going to get returned saying "the taxpayer needs to sign", there are also 2 places to sign - the form signature and the page 2 signature - where each shareholder needs to sign, I'm thinking I might not qualify for the page 2 signature with a POA

[taxea]

Thanks for reminding me that we need to be careful .... But if I send it in signed with a copy of my POA it's not going to get returned saying "the taxpayer needs to sign", there are also 2 places to sign - the form signature and the page 2 signature - where each shareholder needs to sign, I'm thinking I might not qualify for the page 2 signature with a POA

I agree with other posts...even authorized by POA I won't sign anything for the client. Is there any reason why client can't sign it?

[JohnH]

Judy: You make a valid point about it being returned by IRS with an additional signature needed when there is more than one place to sign. But a cover note with clear instructions and red stickers every place a signature is needed should help. Also, for something this important, it's worth having the client return it to you before it's sent to IRS.

[taxea]

Once again JohnH is right. Alway retain the original signature in your files.