Lacerte ERO signature date on 8879's and related state forms

[KevinRRiley]

I have been trying to get the ERO signature date to populate on the 8879's and related state forms.  I do see this issue has an article and is marked "solved" by Lacerte.  According to Lacerte...

If the Computer date as PIN signature date is selected, the computer date will be used in the electronic file. Since that date continuously changes, the date won't appear on the 8879 or equivalent.

The response goes on to say that only the electronically filed version has the date.

This response doesn't make any sense for the following reasons:

1) the date should be marked on the form and since we preparers are supposed to provide this to the client, the client should have a duplicate copy of the form that was actually filed.  This is yet another instance of the client getting something different from what Lacerte electronically files on their behalf.

2) Why would the preparer's signature date be substituted to when the return is electronically filed rather than when the return is actually signed?  The two dates rarely coincide.

3) If it is ok to use a digital signature, then why is not ok to use the digital date?

4) the preparer ALWAYS signs the return after it is printed.    Lacerte apparently wants you to input the signature date as an override (screen 4, field 53) before the return is printed, reviewed, and signed.  Lacerte apparently would also have the signer enter his/her signature date into Lacerte for every client simply for the date to appear on the forms.

5) Docusign ignores the fact the the tax preparer must sign the return, so if you don't use the option to print the preparers name in the signature field, there really is no option for the tax preparer to sign or date any of the docusigns.

I for one, would rather this be automated.  Why can't the ERO signature date simply be when the complete copy of the return is printed?  Voila!  the date is on the form when the return is printed.  It seems easy enough.

[George4Tacks]

This is a community of other users. You should be asking tax questions or how to make the program work here. You seem to want a program change, offer it on this portion of the site https://accountants.intuit.com/community/lacerte-tax-idea-exchange/idb-p/604