Ongoing efforts to keep everyone safe during the pandemic have now paved the way for the acceptance of digital signatures even on paper forms that cannot be filed electronically.
The Michigan Department of Treasury says that in an effort to protect health and safety, they are reminding taxpayers and tax professionals that the use of digital signatures is allowed on forms, even those forms that cannot be filed electronically.
The use of digital signatures assists in reducing in-person contact and lessens the risk to taxpayers and tax professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic, allowing both groups to work remotely and to file forms in a timely manner.
State Treasurer Rachael Eubanks says, “Our main priority during the COVID-19 pandemic is to protect the health and safety of Michiganders, which includes taxpayers and tax professionals.” She notes, “Permitting our paper forms to be signed digitally lessens the risk of in-person contact. We continue to work with taxpayers and tax professionals with filing requirements during this uncertain time.”
The state of Michigan’s individual income tax return, corporate income tax return and sales, use and withholding tax return already use an electronic signature when filed electronically. Each year, more than 80-percent of Michigan’s individual income tax returns are filed electronically.
Some forms used by taxpayers and tax professionals are typically printed, signed and mailed to the state Treasury Department. Those forms are downloaded from Treasury’s website or obtained by tax professionals.
The Michigan Department of Treasury does not specify which digital signature product or method tax professionals must use. There are several commercial products available.
Individuals with questions should contact the State Treasury through the Treasury Self-Service website. Businesses with questions should inquire through self-service options using Michigan Treasury Online.
To learn more about Michigan’s forms, you can go to this link: http://www.michigan.gov/treasuryforms
