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14. Does Maine Revenue Services accept facsimile signatures on tax returns completed by either a taxpayer or by a paid preparer?

Any Return filed with Maine Revenue Services must contain a declaration that the statements contained in that return are true and made under penalties of perjury.

Maine Revenue Services generally follows IRS filing procedures requiring that taxpayers affix an original signature to tax returns; that is, they must personally sign their Maine return. Facsimile signatures are not acceptable.

Maine Revenue allows paid preparers to affix their signature as the return preparer consistent with IRS Notice 2004-54/IRB 2004-33, 209, which permits paid preparers to sign returns by rubber stamp, mechanical device (such as signature pen), or computer software program (i.e., a computer program that prints the preparer's name on the signature line of the form).

When a tax return is filed electronically by a taxpayer or with the taxpayer's permission, the filing of that return constitutes a sworn statement by the taxpayer, made under penalties of perjury, that the tax liability shown on the return is correct. No additional signature is required. See 36 M.R.S.A. § 193(1).