Can I still get my tax return stamped in person at an IRS office for home mortgage proof?

Yes, the IRS still offers this service but with some important qualifications. What you're referring to is called "proof of filing" or getting a "received" stamp on your tax return. The IRS does still provide this service at local Taxpayer Assistance Centers (TACs), but you absolutely need an appointment first - they no longer accept walk-ins for this service. Call the IRS appointment line at 844-545-5640 to schedule your visit. When you go, bring your completed tax return (signed!), your W2s, and a valid photo ID. They'll stamp one copy as "received" for your records and keep the other for processing. Just a heads-up - appointment availability varies by location, and you might need to wait a week or more to get in, so call ASAP given your mortgage timeline. Also, make sure your return is complete and accurate before going in - they won't stamp incomplete returns.

I just went through this exact situation with my mortgage last month! After struggling to get through to anyone on the IRS phone lines, I found this service called taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) that was seriously a lifesaver. Instead of taking off work and driving to the IRS office, I uploaded my tax documents to their system and they were able to provide an official verification of my filing status that my mortgage company accepted. Their AI system analyzed my situation and processed everything super quickly - I had what I needed in less than 24 hours. Saved me so much hassle with trying to schedule IRS appointments and taking time off work.

Just wanted to update that I tried taxr.ai after seeing the recommendation here, and it worked perfectly for my situation! I was really worried because my closing date is next week and I couldn't get an IRS appointment until after that. The verification document they provided had everything my mortgage company needed and my loan officer accepted it without issue. They even called my loan officer directly to explain the verification when there was a small question. Honestly wish I'd known about this service weeks ago instead of stressing about it!

If you still need to go the traditional route and get an actual IRS appointment, I highly recommend using Claimyr (https://claimyr.com) to schedule it. The IRS appointment line is BRUTAL to get through - I spent days trying. Claimyr basically calls the IRS for you and secures a callback, saving you from waiting on hold for hours. They got me connected to an IRS agent in about 20 minutes when I had been trying unsuccessfully for days. You can see how it works in their demo video: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c I was honestly shocked at how well it worked. The agent I spoke with scheduled my TAC appointment for the following week. Definitely worth it given how time-sensitive your mortgage situation is.

I need to apologize for my skepticism and update everyone. After getting nowhere with the IRS for two weeks and my closing date approaching fast, I broke down and tried Claimyr yesterday out of desperation. Within 45 minutes, I was talking to an actual IRS person who scheduled my TAC appointment for tomorrow! I couldn't believe it. After wasting hours on hold and getting disconnected multiple times trying to do it myself, this was shockingly efficient. My realtor was amazed when I told her I finally got an appointment. For anyone in a similar situation with mortgage deadlines looming - don't waste days like I did. The service actually works exactly as described.

Just a quick tip - when you go to your appointment, make sure both copies of your return are SIGNED and DATED. I made the mistake of bringing unsigned copies and they wouldn't stamp them. Had to fill out a new set right there and it was super stressful. Also bring your ID and social security card if you have it. They checked mine pretty carefully.

Have you considered just requesting an official tax transcript instead? Most mortgage companies will accept that as proof of filing, and you can get it online in minutes through the IRS website. Might save you the trip and time off work.

One other thing to consider - your mortgage company might accept proof of mailing via certified mail with return receipt as an alternative to the IRS stamp. I've had lenders accept this before. Worth asking your loan officer if that would be sufficient, as post offices are usually more accessible than IRS offices.

Just wanted to add another perspective here - I work as a mortgage loan processor and see this situation fairly often. While the IRS stamping service is definitely legitimate and will work, I'd strongly recommend calling your loan officer first to confirm exactly what documentation they'll accept. Some lenders are more flexible than others. We've accepted certified mail receipts, tax preparer acknowledgments, and even electronic filing confirmations in certain cases. It really depends on your lender's underwriting guidelines and how close you are to closing. Also, if you do go the IRS route, make sure to get multiple stamped copies while you're there - sometimes underwriters want additional copies for their files, and it's much easier to get them all at once rather than making another trip later. Given your tight timeline, I'd suggest pursuing multiple options simultaneously - try to get the IRS appointment scheduled while also asking your loan officer about alternatives. Better to have backup plans than risk missing your closing date!

I went through this exact situation about 2 months ago when refinancing my home! The stress you're feeling is totally understandable - I was literally losing sleep over potentially missing my closing deadline because of this paperwork nightmare. Here's what saved me: definitely call your loan officer FIRST before doing anything else. I cannot stress this enough! I spent over a week trying frantically to get an IRS appointment before it occurred to me to ask my lender what alternatives they'd actually accept. Turns out they had several options that were much simpler than the IRS stamping route. My mortgage company ultimately accepted a certified mail receipt. I just mailed my completed 2022 return to the appropriate IRS processing center via USPS certified mail with return receipt requested. That green return receipt card was sufficient proof of filing for my lender - no appointment needed, no time off work, no driving across town to deal with IRS offices. If you do go the certified mail route, make sure to: - Use the correct IRS processing center address for your state (check the "Where to File" tool on IRS.gov) - Ensure your return is completely filled out and signed before mailing - Keep copies of everything you send - The return receipt usually comes back within 3-5 business days The IRS stamping service is definitely still available at Taxpayer Assistance Centers if your lender absolutely requires it, but it's appointment-only now. Call 844-545-5640 early morning (around 7-8 AM) for the best chance of getting through. With three weeks until closing, you actually have plenty of time to explore multiple options! I had less than 10 days and still made it work. Take a deep breath and start with that call to your loan officer tomorrow. You've got this, and congratulations on your first home purchase!