signing of form 8879

[Gene V]

Sometimes one spouse will come in to the office and take it to the other spouse in the car to sign. We do not look to see if the 'other' spouse is actually in the car.

I seem to have lots of phantom spouses also.

[Larmil]

Our policy on 8879

We do requre two signatures on the MFJ 8879. Often one spouse will come in at one time and the other at another time. One spouse can pick it up and after signatures mail it back to us (we provide stamped envelopes) of fax it back to us. Sometimes one spouse will come in to the office and take it to the other spouse in the car to sign. We do not look to see if the 'other' spouse is actually in the car.

[dsi]

On occassion, I have allowed the spouse to sign for both. This occurred when the other spouse had a broken wrist.

[dyne]

Is there a legal way that ONE spouse can sign the electronic authorizaton form 8879 without the other spouse having to sign it? Can a power of attorney or other authorization be prepared to authorize a wife (or husband) to sign the 8879 for both spouses INSTEAD of having the other spouse sign the form 8879? I researched the issue and found that BOTH husband and wife are normally required to sign the form 8879 although I am sure that this is NOT what most preparers are doing? Comments? Thank you.