Regulations require signatures of both spouses on a joint tax return [Treasury Regulations section 1.6012-1(a)(5)].
However, there is an exception:
If one spouse is physically unable by reason of disease or injury to sign a joint return, the other spouse may, with the oral consent of the incapacitated spouse, sign the incapacitated spouse’s name in the proper place on the return followed by the words “By Husband (or Wife)” and the signature of the signing spouse.
You will have to mail your return because a declaration explaining the circumstances preventing the non signing spouse from signing the return must be attached to such a tax return.
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