What is the penalty for forging a signature on a tax return?

Asked by: Myrtie Langworth  |  Last update: January 9, 2026
Score: 4.5/5 (66 votes)

Hello. Forgery carries a penalty of 1 to 3 years and the possibility of a fine. He does not need to go through the tax preparer to get a copy of his own tax return. He simply has to call the IRS (irs.gov) and request a copy of the tax return.

What happens if someone forges your signature on a tax return?

Rejection is mandatory even if a service center is presented with compelling evidence of forgery. In effect, the IRM provision treats the section 6064 presumption as irrebuttable or conclusive.

Can I sue for a forged signature?

Civil lawsuits: In some cases, you may pursue a civil lawsuit against the perpetrator to recover damages resulting from the forgery. Consult with an attorney for guidance. Victim assistance organizations: Reach out to organizations that provide support and resources for victims of identity theft and financial fraud.

What if my husband forged my wife's signature on my tax return?

When a spouse proves that their signature was forged, the joint filing election will be invalidated. However, if there was tacit consent (approval of someone's wrongdoing), the return will be considered filed correctly even if the signature was forged.

What are the consequences of signature forgery?

Signature forgery is a serious crime and can have heavy punishments like imprisonment and hefty fines, which in some cases, could go up to millions of dollars. Forgery can harm victims not only financially, but also by damaging their reputation.

How To Get Forgery Charge Dismissed

33 related questions found

How to prove a signature is forged?

These features include the following as well as others:
  1. Shaky handwriting.
  2. Pen lifts.
  3. Signs of retouching.
  4. Letter proportions.
  5. Signature shape and dimensions.
  6. Letter slants.
  7. Speed, acceleration, and smoothness of curves.
  8. Pen pressure and pressure changes.

What class felony is forgery?

Class G Felony Forgery: Forging or counterfeiting (or even possessing) any counterfeit currency, bill, note, warrant, check, order, or similar instrument of any financial institution, government, or corporation is a crime when you intend to defraud another.

What happens if you lie about being married on your taxes?

It is a federal crime to commit tax fraud and you can be fined substantial penalties and face jail time. Lying on your tax return means you committed tax fraud.

What is the burden of proof for a forged signature?

Further, the burden to show forgery generally lies with the person whose signature appears to be on the page. Once the other person has produced a document that appears to be signed, the prima facie fact is established. Then the burden shifts to the alleged signor to contradict it.

How do you turn someone in for cheating on their taxes?

Use Form 3949-A to report alleged tax law violations by an individual, a business, or both. CAUTION: DO NOT USE Form 3949-A: o If you suspect your identity was stolen. Use Form 14039.

Can a spouse be charged with forgery?

Spouses do not have the right to sign documents for each other without consent or through the legal mechanism of a Power of Attorney. Forgery is a serious crime, and the perpetrator can face legal consequences such as fines, probation, or even imprisonment.

What are the three types of forgery on signatures?

There are three types of signature forgeries: freehand simulation, trace-over fraud, blind forgery, and electronic forgery. 2. How do you identify a signature forgery? You can identify a signature forgery by looking for inconsistencies, unnatural pen pressure, variations in pen lifts, and other warning signs.

Is forgery hard to prove?

It is of course difficult, if not impossible, to prove forgery by the testi- mony of incompetent witnesses. In many localities there is no special wit- ness qualified to testify effectively on the technical subject of forgery, espe- cially in connection with difficult cases involving clever forgeries.

Can a spouse file taxes without permission?

Section 19701.5 - Unlawful signature of spouse on income tax return or filing electronically without spouse's consent (a) Any person who signs his or her spouse's name on any income tax return, or any schedules or attachments thereto, or who files electronically pursuant to Section 18621.5, without the consent of the ...

What is the penalty for cashing someone else's IRS check?

Cashing a refund check from the IRS can be a crime if one is not entitled to the check. This is theft of government funds. If the IRS check is $1,000 or more, the punishment can be up to 10 years imprisonment; if the IRS check is under $1,000, the punishment can be up to one year imprisonment.

How do I stop my signature from being forged?

To protect your signature from being forged, you should:
  1. Develop a complex signature with numerous changes of direction that cannot be easily imitated.
  2. Develop your handwriting skill until you attain a high level, which is difficult to duplicate.
  3. Write rapidly.
  4. Stylize your writing.

What to do if someone has forged my signature?

Here are the steps you should consider:
  1. Contact the party who received the fraudulent signature. The first step is to report the forged signature to the recipient of the fraudulent document or agreement. ...
  2. Seek legal advice. Seek the guidance of a lawyer with expertise in forgery cases. ...
  3. Gather evidence. ...
  4. Protect your finances.

How do you prove someone forged a document?

Suspicions such as paper watermarks, font types, starts and stops in handwriting, comparisons with other handwriting examples, inconsistent letters, variations in the writing style and discrepancies in the overall composition, and even the depth of the impression of the writing instrument on the paper, can serve as ...

Is a contract void if a signature is forged?

Yes, a forged contract is always void unless (sometimes) later ratified or signed with permission, which would make it not a forgery.

What if my husband forged my signature on my tax return?

Immediately: Contact the IRS: Inform them that your signature was forged on the tax return and you didn't consent to filing jointly. File Form 14039,"Statement of Innocent Spouse." This protects you from being held liable for any potential tax debt or penalties arising from the fraudulent return.

What is the innocent spouse rule?

Innocent spouse relief can relieve you from paying additional taxes if your spouse understated taxes due on your joint tax return and you didn't know about the errors. Innocent spouse relief is only for taxes due on your spouse's income from employment or self-employment.

Does the IRS check your marital status?

For filing purposes, the IRS generally considers taxpayers as married if they are separated but not legally separated or divorced at the end of the year. Marriage status can determine filing requirements, standard deductions, eligibility for certain credits and tax.

What is the federal sentence for forgery?

You could face up to 20 years in federal prison if convicted of forgery. The sentence depends on the aggravating or mitigating circumstances in your case.

What are the three types of forgery?

What are the three types of forgery? Three common types of forgery are signature forgery, art forgery, and document forgery. Each of these types of forgery involves different methods of creating or altering documents, signifiers, and objects with the intent to deceive.

What is the burden of proof for forgery?

Winning a Forgery Trial

Articulating Mistakes in Prosecution's Case — The burden is on the prosecution to prove you committed forgery and had the intent to defraud. They must prove each and every element of the forgery beyond a reasonable doubt.