There are two signature methods available to sign your tax return electronically by using a Personal Identification Number (PIN). A PIN is any five numbers you select (except all zeros) to use as your electronic signature. If you choose the Self-Select PIN method you are required to create a PIN to sign your income tax return. The Self-Select PIN method can only be used by taxpayers who file electronically using tax preparation software or through a tax professional who is an Authorized IRS e-file Provider. To use the Self-Select PIN method you will need to provide the original Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) from your prior year tax return and your correct date of birth to authenticate your identity. The AGI amount should not be an amount from an amended return, a corrected amount from a math error notice or a changed amount from IRS. Prior to e-filing, you should check with the Social Security Administration (SSA), www.ssa.gov, to ensure they have an accurate date of birth for you on file, because the date of birth you provide will be matched against Social Security Administration (SSA) records.

If you choose the Practitioner PIN method you are also required to create a five-digit PIN to sign your income tax return. The Practitioner PIN method is another electronic signature option for taxpayers to e-file and sign their income tax return. The taxpayer selects any five numbers (except all zeroes) as their PIN signature and must use an Electronic Return Originator (ERO) to e-file using this option. When using the Practitioner PIN method the Date of Birth and original Prior Year Adjusted Gross Income are not required.

For more information on the Electronic Signatures or on IRS e-file please visit the IRS web site at www.irs.gov and click on the "e-file" logo.