What to do when IRS returns Form 9143 with my 1040 for signature?

This happens more often than you'd think! Form 9143 is the IRS's "Missing or Invalid Signature" alert. When they send this back, it typically means you forgot to sign your original tax return or the signature was somehow invalid. You should sign both your original Form 1040 where indicated AND the Form 9143 itself. Then return everything they sent back to you - this includes the original 1040 and all attached schedules they returned. You don't need to provide new copies of your W-2s or other documentation unless they specifically request it. Make sure to use blue or black ink for your signature, and mail it back using the return envelope they provided (or to the address specified on the 9143 if no envelope was included). I'd recommend keeping a photocopy of everything you're sending back for your records.

Been there! After spending hours trying to get through to the IRS about a similar issue, I finally discovered taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) and it was a game-changer. I uploaded my Form 9143 and tax docs, and it immediately explained exactly what I needed to sign and send back. Their AI analyzed my specific situation and gave me personalized instructions that were way clearer than what the IRS provided. The tool even spotted a potential issue with how I had filled out another section that might have caused problems down the line. Definitely worth checking out if you're unsure about how to proceed with any IRS notices or forms.

Just wanted to follow up - I tried taxr.ai after posting my skeptical comment. I was genuinely impressed with how it handled my situation! I uploaded my own 9143 form and some other notices I'd been confused about, and it gave me specific step-by-step instructions tailored to my exact documents. The analysis pointed out that I needed to not only sign the form but also include my phone number which I would have missed. Saved me from another potential back-and-forth with the IRS. Really helpful for making sense of those confusing IRS notices that never seem to have clear instructions.

If you've gotten Form 9143 and are still confused after trying to handle it yourself, you might want to try reaching the IRS directly. That was my approach, but calling them was a NIGHTMARE. After trying for three days and getting nowhere, I found Claimyr (https://claimyr.com). They have this service that basically waits on hold with the IRS for you, then calls you when an actual agent is on the line. I was super skeptical at first, but check out their demo video: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c - it shows exactly how it works. I had an IRS agent on the phone within 45 minutes (after previously wasting hours on hold). The agent walked me through exactly what I needed to do with my 9143 form and confirmed I only needed to return the specific papers they sent back.

Well I'll be damned. I have to eat my words. After posting my skeptical comment, I got desperate enough to try Claimyr when I received a confusing letter about my tax return. Was absolutely shocked when I got a call back with an actual IRS representative on the line after about an hour. The agent confirmed exactly what to do with my Form 9143 (sign both the 9143 AND the 1040 in the correct spots, and return only what they sent me). She even noted something in my account about the issue so there's a record of our conversation. Saved me from making a mistake that would have delayed my refund even further. Never thought I'd say this, but it was worth every penny to not spend another day trying to get through on my own.

Just FYI - when you return Form 9143 and your signed 1040, make sure you use USPS certified mail with return receipt. Trust me on this. I sent mine back regular mail and the IRS claimed they never received it. Had to go through the whole process again and it delayed my refund by 2+ months. The extra $5-6 for tracking is worth the peace of mind knowing they actually got your documents.

I'm dealing with this exact form right now! Quick question - did anyone notice if there was a deadline to return the Form 9143? I got mine last week but I've been traveling and just opened it today. I'm worried it might have a response deadline I've missed.

I went through this exact same situation last year! The key thing to remember is that Form 9143 is actually pretty straightforward once you understand what they're asking for. You need to sign BOTH documents - the Form 9143 itself AND your original 1040 return in the signature section. Make sure to date your signatures with the current date (not the original filing date). Send back everything they returned to you - don't add any new documents unless specifically requested. I'd also recommend making copies of everything before you mail it back. One tip that saved me: double-check that your signature on the 1040 matches exactly how you signed other tax documents. Sometimes inconsistent signatures can trigger these requests. And definitely follow the advice about using certified mail - it's worth the extra cost for the peace of mind!

I just went through this exact same situation a few months ago! The stress is real when you get that envelope back from the IRS. Here's what worked for me: 1. Sign both the Form 9143 AND your original 1040 in the signature line (use today's date, not the original filing date) 2. Return everything they sent back to you - the 9143, your 1040, and any schedules they included 3. Don't send new W-2s or other supporting docs unless they specifically ask for them 4. Use the envelope they provided or mail to the address on the 9143 The whole process took about 3 weeks once I sent it back, and then my refund was processed normally. The key is not to overthink it - they literally just need your signature to complete processing your return. Everything else about your return was fine, or they would have sent different forms. Make copies of everything before you send it back, and consider using certified mail for tracking. You've got this!

I've dealt with Form 9143 multiple times as a tax preparer, and I want to clarify something important that I haven't seen mentioned yet. When you sign your 1040, make sure you're signing in the EXACT same spot where your signature was missing or invalid originally. Sometimes people think they need to sign somewhere new, but the IRS specifically wants the signature in the designated taxpayer signature line (and spouse signature line if filing jointly). If there are multiple places that need signatures and you're not sure which one was the issue, sign all the required signature lines. Also, a pro tip: if you're married filing jointly and both spouses' signatures were on the original return, BOTH spouses need to sign both the 9143 and the 1040 again, even if only one signature was flagged as invalid. This prevents another round of back-and-forth. The good news is that getting a 9143 usually means everything else on your return checked out fine - they just need that valid signature to process your refund!

I just wanted to add one more important detail that might help others in this situation. When you get Form 9143, check the postmark date on the envelope it came in - this can be crucial for timing purposes. The IRS sometimes takes a while to mail these forms out after they initially process your return, so the "date of notice" on the form might be different from when you actually received it. If you're worried about missing a deadline, you can reference the postmark date as evidence of when you actually received the notice. I had a situation where my 9143 was dated three weeks before I received it due to mail delays, and noting this in my response letter helped avoid any penalty issues. Also, just to echo what others have said - this really is more common than you'd think! The IRS processes millions of returns and signature issues happen frequently. Don't stress too much about it - you're just completing a step they need to finalize your return processing.

I went through this exact situation about 6 months ago and completely understand the panic! The good news is that Form 9143 is actually one of the more straightforward IRS notices to handle once you know what to do. Here's what worked for me: Sign both the Form 9143 AND your original 1040 return using blue or black ink with the current date (not your original filing date). Return everything they sent back to you - don't add any new documents unless they specifically request them. One thing I learned the hard way: make sure your signature is clear and matches how you normally sign your name. Sometimes faint or inconsistent signatures can trigger these requests in the first place. I sent mine back via certified mail with return receipt for tracking purposes (highly recommend this for peace of mind), and my refund was processed about 2-3 weeks after they received my corrected paperwork. The IRS representative I eventually spoke with confirmed that getting a 9143 usually means everything else on your return looks good - they just need that valid signature to complete processing. Don't overthink it - you've got this! Just sign both forms clearly, send back what they returned to you, and keep copies for your records.

I can definitely relate to the confusion - I went through this exact same situation about 8 months ago and felt completely lost at first! Here's what I learned from my experience: You need to sign BOTH documents - the Form 9143 itself AND your original 1040 in the taxpayer signature section. Use the current date when you're actually signing (not your original filing date). Make sure to use blue or black ink and sign clearly. Send back everything the IRS returned to you - the Form 9143, your 1040, and any schedules they included. Don't send new W-2s or other supporting documents unless they specifically ask for them in the notice. One thing that really helped me was calling it a "signature correction" rather than thinking something was wrong with my whole return. The IRS has your return and just needs this one piece to finish processing it. I'd strongly recommend using certified mail when you send it back - it gives you proof of delivery and peace of mind. After I sent mine back, it took about 3 weeks for my refund to be processed normally. The whole thing felt overwhelming at first, but it's actually a pretty routine request. You're just completing one missing step so they can finalize everything. Don't stress too much about it!

I completely understand the stress you're feeling! I went through this exact situation last year and it's definitely more nerve-wracking than it needs to be. Here's the straightforward approach that worked for me: Sign both the Form 9143 AND your original 1040 return using today's date (not your original filing date). Use a good black or blue pen and make sure your signature is clear and legible - no need to be overly fancy, just neat enough that it's readable. Return everything they sent back to you - the 9143, your 1040, and any schedules they included. Don't add new documents like W-2s unless they specifically request them. The IRS already has those on file. I highly recommend sending it back via USPS certified mail with return receipt. It costs a few extra dollars but gives you proof of delivery, which is invaluable if there are any questions later about whether they received your response. One thing that helped ease my anxiety was understanding that Form 9143 is actually a good sign - it means the IRS reviewed your return and everything else looks fine. They just need that signature to complete processing. It's a routine administrative step, not an indication that there's anything wrong with your tax return. Keep copies of everything you send back, and you should see your refund processed within 2-4 weeks after they receive your signed documents. You've got this!

I went through this exact same situation about a year ago and completely understand the anxiety! Here's what I learned that might help ease your mind: Form 9143 is actually pretty routine - it just means they need your signature to complete processing your return. Everything else on your return was fine, which is why they're not asking for additional documentation. Here's exactly what you need to do: 1. Sign BOTH the Form 9143 and your original 1040 return using today's date (not your original filing date) 2. Use blue or black ink and make sure your signature is legible 3. Return everything they sent back to you - don't add new W-2s or other docs unless specifically requested 4. Send it back using certified mail with return receipt for tracking The key thing that helped me was realizing this isn't a rejection - it's more like a "pause" in processing while they wait for your signature. Once you send it back, they resume processing from where they left off. I didn't get any intermediate confirmation from the IRS after sending back my signed forms - I just had to wait for the refund to show up, which took about 3 weeks. The certified mail receipt was my only proof they received it, which is why I'd definitely recommend that route. Don't overthink it - you're just completing one missing administrative step so they can finalize your refund!

I just went through this exact situation a few months ago and want to share what worked for me! Getting Form 9143 definitely feels scary at first, but it's actually one of the more straightforward IRS issues to resolve. Here's what you need to do: 1. Sign BOTH documents - the Form 9143 itself AND your original 1040 in the taxpayer signature line 2. Use today's date when signing (not your original filing date) 3. Use blue or black ink and make sure your signature is clear and legible 4. Return everything they sent back to you - the 9143, your 1040, and any attached schedules 5. DON'T send new copies of W-2s or other supporting documents unless they specifically ask for them The most important thing to understand is that Form 9143 means the IRS has reviewed your return and everything else looks good - they literally just need your signature to complete processing. Think of it as hitting "pause" rather than "reject." I strongly recommend using certified mail with return receipt when you send it back. It costs a few extra dollars but gives you proof of delivery, which is invaluable with IRS correspondence. After I sent mine back, it took about 3 weeks for my refund to be processed. You won't get an intermediate confirmation - the refund will just show up once they complete processing. Keep copies of everything you send back, and don't stress too much about it. This is really just completing one administrative step they need to finalize your return!