Tax Forms - Do you PDF and email to your client?

[MLML]

Hello,

Does anyone email the PDF copy of Form 8955 for client's signature? Or any other tax forms that has bar code on them, and must be submitted in hard copy?

My normal procedure is - when a form has a bar code on them, I always print out, and mail the forms for client's signature. Because I thought that PDFing the form may cause some issues with the bar code, and it could be rejected by the IRS.

But now the dealline of the Form 8955 is approaching, I would like to know if anyone emails the forms as their normal procedure.

Can anyone help?

Thank you.

ML

[Andy the Actuary]

Yes, send PDF. Relius prefaces the PDF with a print instruction sheet (see attached) which I include. If these are rejected, then we'll switch gears.

Pages_from_2009_8955_SSA.pdf

[MLML]

Yes, send PDF. Relius prefaces the PDF with a print instruction sheet (see attached) which I include. If these are rejected, then we'll switch gears.

Hello,

Thank you so much for your reply. Is this the actual instruction by Relius? I use Datair, and I have not seen anything like this, but if Relius is actually instructing their clients that it's okay to be PDFed, then I will do that.

I assume you probably cannot provide me with the exact address or source for this page? I would like to present it at our meeting.

Thanks.

Miyeon

[K2retire]

The page is automatically generated in the Relius software when a form is printed.

[rcline46]

The 8955 has social security numbers on it, and some states have restrictions on emailing forms with SSNs. It could be a very dangerous practice.

[DPSRich]

The 8955 has social security numbers on it, and some states have restrictions on emailing forms with SSNs. It could be a very dangerous practice.

Could you please advise what states the restrictions refer to.

Thank you for your help.

DPSRich

[rcline46]

Since that is state centric, I don't know. I do know New Jersey has the restrictions.

[david rigby]

State restrictions? who cares? It's simply irresponsible to put at risk the SSN of someone else.

In addition to being stupid, it might be an opportunity to get sued, even if your action is not the utlimate cause of identity theft.

(BTW, do states have any authority over e-mail?)

[mwyatt]

In MA we have had these restrictions for the past few years; reason why we all use some form of secure e-mail up here. Don't see a problem with e-mailing per se if using a secure system.

Only thing that I can think of is the control of printing; if the client's PDF software scales the output, then barcode size would shrink and possibly be rendered unscannable by IRS OCR software. Think that is reason behind the Relius printing instruction page instructing the recipient to turn off print scaling before printing the form.

[jkharvey]

I don't understand the issue w/ email (using secured email requiring a password to open) of SSN. What is to stop someone from opening an envelope that is in the mail clearly addresed to IRS? There are SSNs in those envelopes.