Accountant filed my tax return without obtaining my signature: is this legal?

This is definitely not normal or acceptable practice. As a tax professional, I can tell you that filing a return without proper authorization is a serious violation of professional standards. Form 8879 specifically authorizes the electronic filing of your return, and the accountant cannot legally submit your return without your signature on this form. The IRS requires this signature precisely to prevent unauthorized filings. Your concerns about the inconsistent quarterly payment advice are also valid. Self-employment tax obligations don't typically fluctuate dramatically without corresponding changes in income or deductions. It sounds like there was either confusion or incompetence involved in the advice you received. I recommend taking several steps immediately: 1) Contact the IRS directly to report the unauthorized filing, 2) Consider filing Form 14157 (Complaint: Tax Return Preparer) with the IRS, 3) Reach out to your state's board of accountancy if the person is a CPA, and 4) Document all communications you've had with this person.

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Reading your story reminds me of my nightmare trying to contact the IRS about an unauthorized filing last year. I spent WEEKS trying to get through their phone system. Sometimes I'd wait on hold for 2+ hours only to get disconnected! Eventually I found Claimyr and it completely changed my experience. Claimyr (https://claimyr.com) basically holds your place in the IRS phone queue and calls you back when an actual human agent is about to answer. I was super skeptical at first, but you can see how it works in this video: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c Instead of spending hours on hold, I got a call back when I was actually next in line to speak with someone. The IRS agent I talked to was able to confirm an unauthorized filing had occurred and walked me through the exact steps to fix the situation. They told me exactly which forms to file and how to document the fact I hadn't authorized the original filing. If you need to sort this out with the IRS directly (which you probably should), this service will save you so much time and frustration.

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I had a somewhat similar situation where my accountant e-filed without proper authorization, though not quite as extreme as yours. I learned that you can request the IRS withdraw the return by filing Form 1040X along with a statement explaining the situation and providing evidence of the unauthorized filing. In my case, I included copies of emails showing I hadn't approved the final version. You should also know that what your accountant did violates IRS Publication 1345, which covers e-filing regulations. Specifically, preparers MUST retain signed Forms 8879 before transmitting returns and must not use default or prepopulated PINs without client approval.

You could also face identity theft issues because of this. When my accountant filed without authorization, someone else tried to file a fraudulent return using my info the following year - I think because my information was compromised somehow during the unauthorized filing. Make sure you place a fraud alert with the credit bureaus and consider using an Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN) from the IRS for future tax returns. The IP PIN adds an extra layer of security and prevents anyone from filing electronically without it.

This is absolutely unacceptable and likely illegal. I'm a tax professional with 15+ years of experience, and what your accountant did violates multiple IRS regulations and professional standards. First, regarding the unauthorized e-filing: Form 8879 exists specifically to prevent this exact situation. Your signature on this form is legally required before any electronic filing can occur. The fact that your return was rejected when you tried to file elsewhere confirms he already submitted it without authorization - this is a serious breach. Second, the inconsistent quarterly payment advice you received suggests either incompetence or negligence. Self-employment tax calculations don't fluctuate wildly without major changes in income or deductions. A competent professional should be able to explain their methodology clearly. Here's what I recommend you do immediately: 1. File Form 14157 (Complaint: Tax Return Preparer) with the IRS to report the unauthorized filing 2. Contact your state board of accountancy if he's a CPA or enrolled agent 3. Request all your documents back from him in writing 4. Document everything - save all emails, voicemails, and payment records 5. Consider consulting with another tax professional to review the return he filed You may also want to check if the return he filed is even accurate, given his confusion about your quarterly payments. Don't let him gaslight you into thinking this was somehow your fault - professionals have clear ethical and legal obligations that he violated.

What an absolute nightmare situation! I'm so sorry you're dealing with this unprofessional behavior. As someone who's been through tax preparer issues before, I want to emphasize that you did absolutely nothing wrong by wanting clarity on your quarterly payments before signing - that's exactly what a responsible taxpayer should do. The fact that he filed without your signature is not just unprofessional, it's potentially criminal. Tax preparers are required to have explicit authorization before e-filing, and Form 8879 exists for exactly this reason. The voicemail at 8 PM on a Saturday also shows a complete lack of professional boundaries. Beyond the excellent advice already given about filing Form 14157 and reporting to your state board, I'd also suggest keeping detailed records of the financial impact this has caused you. If his incorrect quarterly payment advice results in penalties or if you need to hire another professional to clean up this mess, those could be recoverable damages if you decide to pursue this further. You mentioned he already has several BBB complaints - this suggests a pattern of behavior that regulatory bodies need to know about. Your complaint could help protect other taxpayers from going through what you're experiencing. Stay strong and don't let him make you feel like this was somehow your fault. You handled this exactly right by asking questions and refusing to sign until you had answers.

This is absolutely outrageous and I'm shocked this happened to you. What your accountant did is not just unprofessional - it's a clear violation of IRS regulations and potentially illegal. I work in tax compliance and can tell you that Form 8879 authorization is absolutely mandatory before any electronic filing. There are no exceptions to this rule. The fact that your return was rejected when you tried to file through another service proves he submitted it without proper authorization - this creates a paper trail that will work in your favor when you file complaints. The inconsistent quarterly payment advice is also a major red flag. Self-employment tax calculations are straightforward - if you're making similar income, your quarterly payments shouldn't suddenly drop by 50% without significant changes in deductions or business structure. His excuse about being "confused by multiple 1099s" is particularly troubling since handling multiple income sources is basic tax preparation. Here's what I'd add to the excellent advice already given: Contact the IRS Taxpayer Advocate Service (1-877-777-4778) in addition to filing Form 14157. They can help navigate the unauthorized filing issue and may be able to expedite resolution. Also, if this accountant is an Enrolled Agent, report him to the IRS Office of Professional Responsibility - they take unauthorized filings very seriously. Keep pushing back on this. You did everything right by asking questions and refusing to sign until you had clarity. Don't let him gaslight you into thinking this was somehow your fault.

I'm really sorry you're going through this nightmare situation. As someone who works in financial compliance, I can confirm that what your accountant did is absolutely unacceptable and likely violates multiple professional standards and IRS regulations. The unauthorized filing is particularly egregious - Form 8879 exists specifically to prevent this exact scenario. Your signature is legally required before any electronic submission, and there are no exceptions to this rule. The fact that your return was rejected when you tried to file elsewhere creates clear evidence that he violated this requirement. Regarding the quarterly payment confusion, your instincts were absolutely correct. For self-employed individuals with consistent income, estimated tax payments shouldn't fluctuate dramatically without major changes in business structure or deductions. His excuse about being "confused by multiple 1099s" is concerning since handling various income sources is fundamental tax preparation work. I'd strongly recommend contacting the IRS Taxpayer Advocate Service (877-777-4778) in addition to filing Form 14157. They specialize in helping taxpayers resolve issues like unauthorized filings and can often expedite the process. If your accountant is an Enrolled Agent, also report him to the IRS Office of Professional Responsibility. Don't let him make you feel like you were being difficult - asking for clarification before signing is exactly what responsible taxpayers should do. You handled this situation properly, and his unprofessional response (including that inappropriate Saturday night voicemail) only reinforces that you made the right call by not signing. Document everything and keep pushing forward with your complaints. This pattern of behavior needs to be reported to protect other taxpayers.