My tax return got rejected due to signature issue - not even a virtual signature!

Do you know if there's any way to handle this electronically? Sending physical mail back and forth to the UK seems so inefficient. I had a similar issue but was in Canada, and it took forever to resolve.

Thanks for the info! I definitely used black ink and signed where I thought I was supposed to (right after the "Under penalties of perjury..." statement). But maybe I missed something? One question - do I need to mail back the entire tax return or just the signature page? And do I need to get it notarized or anything since I'm overseas?

You don't need to handle this electronically - unfortunately for international issues like this, physical mail is still required in most cases. The IRS has been slow to modernize these processes. For your specific questions, you should send back whatever the notice specifically requests - typically the entire return with a proper signature. No, you don't need to get it notarized. Just sign it properly with blue or black ink, include the notice they sent you, and mail it to the exact address on the letter. If you're worried about time, consider using an international courier service so you can track delivery.

How exactly does this work? Do they actually look at your specific IRS letter or is it just generic advice anyone could Google?

I'm skeptical about these types of services. How do you know they're handling your tax info securely? Seems risky to upload tax documents to some random website...

They actually analyze your specific documents. You upload the IRS letter and any related forms, and their system uses AI to interpret what's happening and provide personalized guidance. It's not just generic advice - it identifies the specific issue in your case and explains how to fix it. As for security, they use bank-level encryption and don't store your documents after analysis. I was concerned about that too, but they explain their security measures on the site, and they don't ask for sensitive info like your SSN. They're focused on interpreting notices and forms, not storing or filing your actual tax return.

How does this actually work? I've literally spent hours on hold with the IRS and eventually get disconnected. Can this service really get someone on the line?

This sounds too good to be true. The IRS phone system is deliberately designed to be impenetrable. I don't see how any third-party service could magically get through when millions of people can't.

The service uses an automated system that navigates the IRS phone tree and waits on hold for you. When they reach a human agent, you get a call connecting you to that agent. It's not magic - it's just automation handling the frustrating waiting part. No, they don't have any special "backdoor" access to the IRS. They're just using technology to handle the hold times. Think of it like having a very patient assistant who does nothing but wait on hold so you don't have to. I was skeptical too, but when you're dealing with international tax issues and can't waste hours on international calls, it's worth it.

That's a really good point about matching signatures. My visa paperwork signature was definitely more formal than how I normally sign things. And yes, I did date it, but maybe the format was wrong? I used the UK date format (day/month/year) instead of the US format (month/day/year). Could that be the issue?

The date format could absolutely be the issue! The IRS specifically requires the US date format (MM/DD/YYYY). I've seen returns rejected for exactly this reason from international filers. When you re-sign, make sure to use the American date format. Also, since you mentioned earning only $34, make sure you actually needed to file. If that was your only US income and it was from employment, you likely fell below the filing threshold. However, if it was scholarship or grant money, different rules might apply. But at this point, since you've already filed and they're just asking for a signature correction, completing that process is probably easiest.

The signature issue will definitely delay your refund, but it won't cause them to "keep" your money if you're entitled to it. The IRS is obligated to issue refunds regardless of your current residence. However, international refunds often come as paper checks rather than direct deposits, especially for non-residents. Once you correct the signature issue and resubmit, your refund processing will begin. For international addresses, expect a longer wait time - typically 8-12 weeks after they accept your corrected return. If you've moved since filing, make sure to also submit Form 8822 (Change of Address) to ensure your check reaches you.

Thanks for the info! That's a relief. I was worried they might have some "if you don't respond in X days we keep the money" policy. I'll make sure to include the change of address form too since I've moved since I originally filed.

This is really helpful advice! I'm actually dealing with a similar situation right now as an international student. Quick question - when you called early in the morning EST, were you calling from Canada or did you have to factor in the time difference? I'm trying to figure out the best time to call from the UK without staying up all night or getting up at 3 AM! Also, did they give you any specific guidance on how "formal" the signature needs to be? I tend to have quite a scribbly signature normally, so I'm wondering if I need to basically print my name or if a clear cursive version of my full name would work.

I called from Canada, so I had to get up pretty early (around 4 AM my time) to hit that 7 AM EST window, but it was totally worth it to avoid the nightmare hold times later in the day. From the UK, that would be around noon your time, which is much more reasonable! For the signature, the agent told me it needs to be legible enough that they can make out your full legal name, but it doesn't have to be printed. A clear cursive version of your complete name should work fine - just make sure each letter is distinguishable. The key thing she emphasized was consistency with other official documents they might have on file (like your visa application) and making sure it's your full legal name, not just initials or a shortened version. One other tip - when I resubmitted, I also included a brief note saying "Resubmission due to signature issue per notice dated [date]" which I think helped them process it faster since they knew exactly what they were looking for.

I'm in almost the exact same boat! Also a UK student who worked briefly in the US and got hit with the signature rejection. It's so frustrating when you know you signed it properly! From reading through all these responses, it seems like there are a few common issues for international filers: using the wrong date format (DD/MM/YYYY instead of MM/DD/YYYY), not signing our full legal name clearly enough, or having our "casual" signature not match what's on our visa paperwork. I'm planning to resubmit mine with a very clear, full legal name signature using the US date format and including a brief cover letter explaining it's a resubmission. Given the international mail delays, I'm also going to use a tracked courier service so I know it actually arrives. One thing I'm still unsure about - did anyone find out if we need to submit any additional forms as non-resident students? I've seen mentions of Form 8453 but I'm not sure if that applies to our situation with such small amounts of income.

This is exactly the kind of detailed advice I was hoping to find! I'm also dealing with a signature rejection as a UK student and was getting really stressed about the whole process. The point about using a tracked courier service is really smart - I was planning to just use regular international post, but you're right that the extra cost is worth it for something this important. Did you use DHL or FedEx specifically, or would any tracked international service work? Also, when you mention signing with your "complete legal name exactly as it appears on your visa" - did you mean literally copying the signature from your visa application, or just making sure the name itself matches? My visa signature was done years ago and is probably quite different from how I sign now, but I want to make sure I get this right the second time around. Thanks for sharing your experience - it's really reassuring to know that others have successfully navigated this process!

I used DHL for my resubmission and it worked perfectly - got there in 3 business days with full tracking. FedEx would work just as well, or really any reputable international courier that provides tracking and signature confirmation. The key is having proof of delivery since you're dealing with tax documents. Regarding the signature - you don't need to exactly copy your old visa signature, but the name should be consistent. What I mean is if your visa shows "Jonathan Michael Smith" then sign "Jonathan Michael Smith" clearly, not "J. Smith" or "Jon Smith." The actual handwriting style can evolve over time, but the IRS wants to see your full legal name written out legibly. I'd recommend practicing your full legal name signature a few times before signing the actual form, just to make sure it's clear and consistent. The agent I spoke with emphasized that they need to be able to read each part of your name - so avoid overly stylized signatures or anything too rushed/scribbly. One last tip: date it the day you're actually signing it (in MM/DD/YYYY format) rather than backdating it to when you originally filed. This shows it's a fresh, corrected submission.