The theta function of the Jacobian of a projective curve induces a solution of an infinite series of partial differential equations, the KP hierarchy. These solutions are packaged into the so-called tau function in integrable systems theory. I will recall the well-known picture in the case of smooth curves, and I will present some new results in the case of singular curves, focusing on those curves for which the theta function is actually polynomial. This is joint work with T. Çelik and J. Little.