WASHINGTON - The Internal Revenue Service will simplify the signature process for electronically filed individual income tax returns submitted by tax practitioners. The simplification eliminates the need for a paper signature document to be sent to the IRS in support of electronically filed tax returns.

Beginning with the 2008 filing season, tax practitioners can e-file individual income tax returns only if the returns are signed electronically using one of two methods: either a Self-Select Personal Identification Number (PIN) or a Practitioner PIN. A Self-Select PIN allows taxpayers to electronically sign their e-filed return by selecting a five-digit PIN. A Practitioner PIN is used when a taxpayer authorizes an Electronic Return Originator (ERO) to input an electronic signature on behalf of the taxpayer.

Practitioner PINs require the use of Form 8879, IRS e-file Signature Authorization, which is retained by the ERO.

�Nearly 90 percent of tax professionals already use electronic signatures to sign returns,� Acting IRS Commissioner Kevin M. Brown said. �It�s the right time to take the next step toward truly paperless filing.�

Out of some 55 million e-filed returns that have come from tax professionals this year, more than 49 million used the Self-Select PIN or the Practitioner PIN. Overall, more than 77 million individual tax returns have been e-filed so far this year.

The change will simplify tracking, verification and follow-up on the paper signature documents, which were required for tax returns that did not use an electronic signature.

Tax practitioners will no longer submit a paper signature for e-filed returns by using Form 8453, U.S. Individual Income Tax Declaration for an IRS e-file Return. Instead, a newly designed Form 8453 will be used to transmit supporting paper documents that are required to be submitted to the IRS with e-filed returns. The new Form 8453 will be released later for use during the 2008 filing season.