In this paper we investigate the transverse magnetic (TM) scattering by a junction formed by two tapered resistive sheets whose resistivity increases away from the join. In particular, the exact diffraction coefficient for the junction formed by two coplanar linearly tapered resistive sheets is found by application of the Kontorovich-Lebedev transform. In addition, a physical optics (PO) diffraction cofficient is presented for either linearly or quadratically tapered resistive junctions. All diffraction coefficients are compared to numerical results, and the validity range of the PO approximation is discussed. ¿ American Geophysical Union 1993