Got Form 3531 from IRS asking for missing information on my 2019 taxes - need to know what to send back

Hey there! I've dealt with Form 3531 situations before, so hopefully I can help clarify a few things for you. For your first question, you should definitely sign the Form 1040 they sent you. A copy of your W-2 should be sufficient - the IRS just needs to verify the information, not necessarily have the original document. Since they flagged your SSN as incorrect or missing, I'd recommend also including a photocopy of your Social Security card or another government ID that shows your SSN clearly. Unfortunately, there's no online option for responding to a Form 3531. These forms require physical documentation and signatures, so you'll need to mail everything back to the address listed on the form. Regarding potential penalties - the IRS generally looks at when you received the notice, not when it was initially sent. Include a brief explanation letter stating when you actually received the form due to the forwarding issues, and they're usually pretty reasonable about this kind of situation. For your address issue, you don't necessarily need to file a Form 1040-X just to correct your address. Since you've already filed your 2020 return with the correct address, the IRS system should have your updated information. However, to be extra safe, you can include a completed Form 8822 (Change of Address) with your Form 3531 response.

I went through something similar last year with my 2018 taxes and what saved me tons of time was using taxr.ai to help organize everything before I sent it to the IRS. I was worried about missing something important or sending the wrong documents, which would have just dragged things out even longer. I uploaded all my tax documents to https://taxr.ai and it analyzed everything to make sure I was sending exactly what the IRS needed for my Form 3531 situation. It flagged that I was missing a required signature on one form that I would have totally overlooked. Saved me from another round of back-and-forth with the IRS! The tool also generated a cover letter explaining my situation that I could send with my documents. Made me feel way more confident that I was handling everything correctly.

Just wanted to follow up and say I actually tried taxr.ai after my initial skepticism, and it was really helpful for my situation with the IRS. I had a CP2000 notice rather than a Form 3531, but the process was similar - I needed to figure out exactly what to send back. The document analysis caught that I had accidentally calculated my capital gains incorrectly and helped me prepare the right documentation to respond. What impressed me was how it explained everything in plain English instead of tax jargon. Definitely saved me from making more mistakes in my response to the IRS. Will be using it again if I ever get another notice!

I've been in your exact situation, and the absolute worst part was trying to get through to an actual human at the IRS to answer questions about my Form 3531. I spent HOURS on hold only to get disconnected. Super frustrating! I finally tried https://claimyr.com after seeing it recommended in another thread. You can check out how it works here: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c. They basically hold your place in the IRS phone queue and call you when an actual agent is on the line. Saved me from wasting an entire day on hold. The IRS agent I spoke with confirmed that I could just send copies of my W-2s (not originals), and they helped me understand exactly what documentation I needed to include with my response. Getting that confirmation directly from the IRS gave me so much peace of mind that I was doing everything correctly.

Ok I feel like I need to apologize for my skeptical comment above. After posting that, I decided to try Claimyr myself since I've been trying to reach the IRS about my missing refund for WEEKS. It actually worked exactly as described. I submitted my request around 10am, went about my day, and about 90 minutes later got a call connecting me directly to an IRS agent. No navigating phone trees, no sitting on hold - just straight to a helpful person who resolved my issue in about 5 minutes. I was 100% convinced this was going to be a waste of money but I was desperate. Consider me converted - this service is legit and saved me so much frustration. Sorry for doubting!

For your question about penalties - from my experience, the IRS is pretty reasonable if you explain the situation. When you send back your Form 3531 response, include a letter that clearly explains: 1) When the form was originally sent to your mom's address 2) When it was forwarded to you 3) When you actually received it 4) That you're responding promptly after receipt I had a similar situation where I didn't receive a notice for months because it went to my old address. I included a letter explaining the timeline, and they didn't apply any penalties. They mainly care that you respond promptly once you actually receive the notice. Also, make sure you send everything via certified mail with return receipt requested so you have proof of when you submitted your response!

One thing nobody's mentioned - if the tax preparer made these mistakes that caused your issues with the IRS, you might want to report them. Especially the SSN error - that's a pretty serious mistake for a tax professional to make! Was this person an actual CPA, enrolled agent, or just someone who does taxes? If they're a licensed professional, you can file a complaint with their licensing board. If they're with a tax prep company like H&R Block or similar, you should definitely contact their corporate office. Most legitimate tax prep services have some kind of guarantee and might even cover any penalties you end up facing because of their errors. Worth looking into!

I went through something very similar with a Form 3531 last year, and here's what worked for me: For your SSN verification, a driver's license showing your SSN should be perfectly fine. The IRS just needs to confirm the number matches what should be on your return. If your state doesn't print SSNs on licenses anymore, you can also request a free Social Security Statement online at ssa.gov - it shows your SSN and earnings history. Definitely include a cover letter explaining the mail forwarding situation with dates. I'd recommend something like: "I received this Form 3531 on [date] after it was originally mailed to [parents' address] in January and forwarded through USPS. I am responding immediately upon receipt." Keep it brief but clear. One tip that saved me time: call the number on your Form 3531 (usually early morning works best) to confirm exactly what they need before mailing everything. Even if you wait on hold, getting direct confirmation from an IRS agent about your specific situation can prevent having to send additional documents later. Also, make copies of EVERYTHING before you mail it, and definitely send via certified mail with tracking. The IRS processes these responses slowly (expect 8-12 weeks), but having proof you responded promptly protects you from any late response penalties. Good luck - you've got this!

I really appreciate everyone's detailed advice here! This has been super helpful. I think I have a clear plan now: 1. I'll sign the Form 1040 they sent me and include a copy of my 2019 W-2 2. My driver's license does show my SSN so I'll include a copy of that as additional verification 3. I'll write a brief cover letter explaining the mail forwarding delay with specific dates 4. Sending everything via certified mail with return receipt One follow-up question - should I also include a copy of the original Form 3531 they sent me when I mail back my response? Or just the signed 1040 and supporting documents? Also, I'm definitely going to look into filing a complaint about the tax preparer who caused this mess. They were supposed to be a "certified tax professional" but clearly made some major errors. The address issue alone has caused me months of headaches! Thanks again everyone for taking the time to help out a stressed taxpayer! This community is amazing.

Just wanted to add one more thing that might help - when you're gathering your documents, double-check that the SSN on your W-2 exactly matches what you put on your original 2019 tax return. Sometimes the IRS flags SSN issues not because the number is wrong, but because there's a typo or transcription error between documents. Also, since you mentioned this has been a "total nightmare" with the tax preparer, you might want to request a copy of your original 2019 return from the IRS (Form 4506 or 4506-T) to see exactly what was filed on your behalf. This can help you identify if there were other errors beyond just the missing signature, SSN issue, and missing W-2. It takes a few weeks to get, but it's worth having for your records, especially if you decide to pursue action against the tax preparer. The good news is that Form 3531 situations are usually pretty straightforward to resolve once you provide the missing information. The IRS just needs to complete their processing of your 2019 return. Stay organized with your documentation and you should be fine!

I've been through a Form 3531 situation myself and want to emphasize something that really helped me - make sure you keep detailed records of everything throughout this process. Create a simple timeline document with dates (when the form was originally sent, when forwarded, when you received it, when you're responding) and keep copies of all correspondence. Also, regarding the tax preparer situation - if they're advertising as "certified" but made these kinds of basic errors, definitely check their actual credentials. You can search the IRS Enrolled Agent directory online, or if they claim to be a CPA, check with your state's Board of Accountancy. I discovered that someone who prepared my neighbor's taxes was using fake credentials, which led to a much bigger investigation. One last tip: when you do get this resolved, consider setting up an online IRS account at irs.gov if you haven't already. It lets you view your tax transcripts and any notices they send, which can help you catch issues faster in the future. After dealing with mail forwarding delays, having that digital access is really valuable. You're taking all the right steps - just stay organized and document everything. The IRS is generally reasonable when you can show you're making a good faith effort to resolve issues promptly once you become aware of them.

I just wanted to chime in as someone who works in tax resolution - you're getting excellent advice here! One additional thing I'd suggest is to make photocopies of everything before you send it, including the envelope you're mailing it in. Also, when you write your cover letter explaining the mail forwarding delay, be very specific about dates. Something like: "Form 3531 was originally mailed to [parents' address] on approximately January X, 2024. It was forwarded to my current address and received on [specific date]. I am responding immediately upon receipt." This creates a clear paper trail showing you acted promptly. For the SSN verification, your driver's license should work perfectly if it shows your full SSN. If for some reason it only shows the last 4 digits, you can also include a copy of a recent bank statement or other official document that shows your full SSN along with your name. One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet - make sure you sign and date your cover letter too. It seems minor, but it shows the IRS exactly when you prepared your response and adds to your documentation that you handled this promptly after receiving the notice. You're handling this really well despite the stress. The IRS deals with mail forwarding delays all the time, so as long as you document everything clearly, you should be fine!

Hey Sean! I've been following your situation and it sounds like you're getting great advice from everyone here. I went through a very similar Form 3531 issue a couple years ago, so I wanted to add a few things that might help. First, regarding your question about the envelope - just use a regular 9x12 manila envelope if you have multiple documents to send. The IRS doesn't have specific envelope requirements for Form 3531 responses, but make sure everything fits without folding your documents too much. The certified mail receipt and tracking number are what really matter for your protection. One thing I learned the hard way - when you write your cover letter, also include your phone number and the best times to reach you. Sometimes the IRS will call if they need clarification on something, and having that contact info right in your response letter can speed things up rather than them having to send another notice. Also, since you mentioned this tax preparer advertised as "certified," you should definitely report them to your state's Department of Revenue or taxation board if they have one. Many states require tax preparers to register, and filing false SSNs or missing critical documents like W-2s could be grounds for penalties against their license. One last tip - after you mail your response, set a calendar reminder for about 12 weeks out to check on the status if you haven't heard back. The IRS is really backlogged right now, but if it's been longer than 3-4 months with no response, it's worth calling to make sure your documents were received and processed properly. You've got this! Stay organized and keep copies of everything.

I've been dealing with IRS notices for years through my work, and I wanted to add a few practical tips that might save you some headaches: When you send your certified mail response, also send a regular copy via standard mail as backup. Sometimes certified mail gets delayed or lost in processing, and having that backup ensures they receive your response. It's a small cost for extra peace of mind. Also, regarding the tax preparer situation - document everything about your interactions with them (dates you asked for address changes, what they promised, etc.). If they charged you for preparation services but made fundamental errors like missing W-2s and wrong addresses, you may be entitled to a refund of their fees. Many states have consumer protection laws that cover tax preparation services. One thing I always tell people: take photos of every document you're sending with your phone before putting them in the envelope. This gives you an instant backup record with date stamps, which can be helpful if there are any questions later about what you submitted or when. The IRS is generally very reasonable about mail forwarding delays, especially when you can document the timeline clearly. Your situation is more common than you think, and they have procedures in place for exactly this type of scenario. You're handling it exactly right!

I've been reading through all this advice and wanted to add something that might help with your stress level - you can actually check the status of your Form 3531 response online once you send it in. After you mail your response, wait about 2-3 weeks for it to be received and initially processed, then you can call the IRS and reference your case. They can tell you if your documents were received and whether your response adequately addressed all the issues on the Form 3531. Also, I noticed you mentioned being worried about penalties - in most Form 3531 situations where you're just providing missing documentation (signatures, W-2s, SSN verification), there typically aren't additional penalties beyond what might have already been assessed. The IRS mainly wants to complete processing your return, not penalize you for their missing information. One more thing that helped me when I dealt with this - create a simple folder (physical or digital) with everything related to this Form 3531 response. Include copies of what you send, your certified mail receipts, photos of documents, timeline notes, everything. Having it all organized in one place makes it so much easier if you need to reference anything later or if the IRS has follow-up questions. You're really handling this well despite the frustration with the tax preparer! The fact that you're being so thorough and systematic about your response shows you're taking all the right steps.