Hi,

We do not want to use our current CPA anymore but already paid him to prepare our return. If we send him a revocation of the Power of Attorney, will he still be able to prepare the return for us, but just not sign it? Thanks.

I guess this is a legal issue/ question;in my opinion, no . you may revoke the power of attorney at any time , then, If an agent is formally served with a revocation, then he must cease all actions taken on your behalf or allowed to him in the original power of attorney. A Revocation of Power of Attorney is a legal document signed by or on behalf of a person who granted a Power of Attorney ,the Principal. It states that the principal is canceling the powers that were given to another person, in your case the cpa, the Attorney-in-fact, in an earlier Power of Attorney. The document provides written confirmation that the principal has revoked the Power of Attorney that was previously granted meaning the cpa has no power of filing the return for you. A revocation of a Power of Attorney is not effective against the Attorney-in-fact or any third party , the cpa, until notice of the revocation has been received by that party. Consequently, it is a good idea to have a written document as evidence of your revocation to make sure there is no doubt as to your intention to revoke the power. Generally it is the responsibility of the taxpayer to sign their tax return, and if a tax return is not signed it is not considered valid by the IRS. But there are instances which you may need to and can legallysign for another taxpayer. This includes if the taxpayer is ill, injured, underage, mentally unfit, in a combat zone, or deceased.