Can taxpayers now send tax returns via E-mail or upload them online instead of mailing?

The short answer is no, you can't email your tax returns to the IRS, but there are several electronic options depending on your situation. The IRS strongly prefers e-filing and has been pushing for it for years. About 90% of taxpayers now e-file. The main options are: 1) Use IRS Free File if your income is under $79,000 (for 2025 returns). This truly is free and lets you file electronically. The trick is to go through the IRS website directly to access it. 2) Use commercial tax software (TurboTax, H&R Block, etc.) which all offer e-filing options. Yes, many have free versions with upsells, but you can absolutely e-file without paying if you have simple taxes. 3) Use the IRS Direct File program, which expanded in 2025 and is completely free with no income limits for eligible taxpayers in participating states. The physical signature requirement has been largely eliminated for e-filed returns. You typically sign electronically with a PIN. Paper returns still need physical signatures though.

I was just as frustrated as you with paper filing until I found a much better solution through taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai). After trying to figure out which forms I needed to mail vs. e-file, I uploaded my documents there and it analyzed everything and sorted out exactly what could be e-filed and what couldn't. The thing that surprised me was how it actually converted some of my forms that normally required mailing into formats that could be submitted electronically. Their system reads all the tax documents, extracts the data, and reformats it for proper electronic submission while maintaining compliance with all IRS requirements. For the few forms that absolutely had to be mailed, it generated perfect submission-ready packets with all the right attachments and instruction sheets. Saved me from making mistakes that would have delayed my refund.

Wanted to follow up about my experience with taxr.ai since I was skeptical in my earlier comment. I finally tried it last week and I'm seriously impressed. I've been filing paper returns for years because of some complicated investment forms I thought couldn't be e-filed. The system scanned all my documents (even some hand-written ones!) and correctly identified which ones could be converted for e-filing. I only had to mail in one specialized form instead of the entire package like I've done for years. My refund is already processing according to the IRS website! The signature process was actually simpler than I expected - created a secure PIN for the e-file portions, and for the one mailed form, they generated a perfect cover sheet with clear instructions. I feel a bit silly for being so resistant to try new methods all these years.

If you're dealing with paper forms that need to be mailed and want confirmation that the IRS actually received them, I highly recommend using Claimyr (https://claimyr.com). I sent in an amended return back in January and after two months of silence, I had no idea if they'd even received it. I was stuck in the typical IRS phone hell - calling repeatedly and never getting through. Found Claimyr and their service basically waits on hold with the IRS for you. When an agent finally answers, you get a call back immediately to connect with them. You can see how it works in this video: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c The IRS agent confirmed they had received my forms but they were waiting in a processing queue. At least I knew they weren't lost in the mail! The peace of mind was worth it, and I didn't waste hours on hold.

I need to eat crow on my comment above. After rage-quitting another 2-hour IRS hold attempt, I broke down and tried Claimyr yesterday. Within 90 minutes I got a call connecting me to an actual IRS person! I was shocked. I'd been trying to confirm whether they received my paper forms for weeks without success. The agent verified they had my return but it was in a processing backlog. She even gave me an estimated completion date and explained why it was taking longer than usual. For anyone still mailing paper forms until the IRS fully modernizes (which feels like it'll be the year 2099), this service is a lifesaver for checking on submitted returns. I'm still annoyed the IRS makes everything so difficult, but at least there's a workaround now.

You absolutely should be e-filing if possible! Paper returns take SO much longer to process. The IRS says 6-8 weeks for paper returns vs. 21 days for e-filed returns, but in reality paper can take 6+ months, especially for complex returns or if there are any issues. I work with a lot of clients who insist on paper filing and they always end up waiting forever and calling me panicking about where their refund is. The IRS is DROWNING in paper and has massive backlogs. In 2025, there's almost no reason most people should be paper filing. The IRS has made huge strides in expanding e-file options for almost all forms. Unless you have some very unusual tax situation, save yourself the headache and e-file.

Anyone else notice that the IRS website looks like it was designed in 1998 and never updated? I tried looking for upload options there and got lost in a maze of broken links and confusing instructions. Even their "Where's My Refund" tool is incredibly basic. It's embarrassing how far behind the IRS is technologically. My local library has a better website than the federal agency handling trillions of dollars!

The IRS has definitely made progress, but you're right that it still feels clunky compared to modern websites. One thing that helped me navigate their site better was using the search function instead of trying to follow their menu structure - it actually works pretty well now. For what it's worth, the IRS did invest heavily in modernizing their systems over the past few years, but they're dealing with decades of legacy infrastructure. The Direct File program Sofia mentioned is actually a sign they're moving in the right direction - it has a much more intuitive interface than the main IRS site. If you do end up needing to use their tools, I'd recommend bookmarking the specific pages you need (like Where's My Refund) rather than trying to navigate there from the homepage each time. It's not perfect, but it's definitely better than the old site that looked like it was built with HTML tables!

I completely understand your frustration! I was in the exact same boat until this year. The good news is that 2025 has actually brought some major improvements to electronic filing options that weren't available before. First, definitely check out the IRS Direct File program that others mentioned - it's genuinely free and covers way more situations than the old Free File options. I was skeptical at first, but it handled my return (including some investment income) without any issues or hidden fees. For the signature issue specifically - most e-filed returns now use electronic PINs instead of physical signatures. You create a secure PIN during the filing process that serves as your legal signature. The only time you really need a wet signature anymore is for certain amended returns or very specific forms. If you do have forms that absolutely must be mailed, here's a pro tip: send them certified mail with return receipt requested. It costs a few extra dollars but you'll have proof they received it and won't be left wondering if your return got lost in the mail. The IRS processes certified mail faster too since it goes to a different queue. The whole system is definitely still more complicated than it should be, but we're finally moving away from the paper-heavy process. Don't give up on electronic options - they really have improved dramatically in just the past year!