Help with Form 3531 - Need to update address and signature on return

This is a pretty common issue with paper returns. The IRS wants you to resubmit with the corrections, but don't worry - your original filing date stays the same as long as you respond to this request promptly (within 20 days of receiving the letter). For the signature issue, it could be that the signature wasn't dark enough to scan properly, you might have signed in the wrong color ink (they prefer black), or perhaps the signature line got smudged during transit. This happens more often than you'd think! As for the address update, the IRS wants your return to reflect your current address, even though you filed before moving. This is purely for their administrative purposes so they have the correct information associated with this specific return. Simply reprint the forms (or use the ones they sent back), update your address, sign clearly in black ink, and return everything in the envelope they provided. Make sure to include the Form 3531 they sent you. Your filing date will remain as February when you originally submitted.

After struggling with a similar issue last year, I discovered taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) which saved me so much frustration! I had to deal with Form 3531 too when the IRS claimed my signature was missing. The website scanned my returned documents and highlighted exactly what was wrong, showing me that I had signed in blue ink when they needed black. They also explained the address update issue in terms I could understand. Their document review tool is way more helpful than trying to figure it out on your own. It shows you exactly what to fix and how to properly resubmit everything so you don't end up in an endless loop with the IRS. Might be worth checking out before you resend your forms.

Just wanted to follow up about taxr.ai that someone recommended earlier. I was skeptical but decided to try it with my Form 3531 situation. Uploaded my docs and within minutes it showed me that I had actually missed signing one of the schedules (not the main 1040 where I thought I had signed everything). The tool highlighted exactly where I needed to sign and explained why the IRS was asking for my updated address even though I moved after filing. Ended up fixing everything correctly the first time and got confirmation my return was accepted last week. Definitely saved me from going back and forth with the IRS multiple times!

Had a similar issue and spent WEEKS trying to reach someone at the IRS to explain what I needed to do. Busy signals, disconnects, and being on hold for hours only to get hung up on. Total nightmare. Finally used Claimyr (https://claimyr.com) and they got me connected to an actual IRS agent in about 20 minutes. The agent confirmed that updating my address on the return wouldn't change my filing date and explained exactly how to fill out the signature portion. You can see how it works here: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c Honestly surprised how well it worked after all the frustration of trying to call myself. The IRS agent even noted in my file that I had attempted to contact them multiple times so there wouldn't be any penalties for the delay.

I need to eat my words about Claimyr from my comment above. After waiting on hold with the IRS for 3+ hours and getting disconnected TWICE yesterday, I gave in and tried it this morning. Within 25 minutes I was talking to an actual IRS rep who walked me through exactly what I needed to do with my Form 3531. The agent confirmed I was right to be confused - they shouldn't have asked for an address update since I moved after filing. She said sometimes the processors check the wrong box. She added notes to my account and told me I only needed to resubmit with a clearer signature, not worry about the address part. Would have spent another day on hold without this service. Can't believe I'm saying this, but it actually works.

Just want to add some info about Form 3531 that might help. Your original filing date is preserved as long as you respond within the timeframe mentioned in the letter (usually 20 days). E-filing now would technically be considered a new submission, so I'd recommend just fixing and returning the paper forms they sent back. For the signature, make sure you're using black ink and signing firmly. Sometimes light signatures don't scan well in their system. And don't use a digital or printed signature - it needs to be handwritten.

I think you can actually e-file if you want! I had the exact same issue last year and I called the IRS. They told me that since the return was rejected/sent back, I could choose to e-file instead of mailing it again. I did that and got my refund way faster than waiting for them to process more paperwork.

I went through this exact situation last year! When I e-filed after my paper return was rejected, I just filed normally through TurboTax - didn't need to do anything special. The system accepted it without any issues. One thing to watch out for though - make sure you use your current address when e-filing, not the old address from your original paper return. Since you've already updated your address with the IRS online, using your current address should be fine and will avoid the address confusion that caused part of your Form 3531 issue. The e-file route definitely saved me weeks of waiting. My refund was direct deposited about 10 days after e-filing, whereas friends who went the paper correction route waited over a month just for processing.

I had a very similar experience with Form 3531 earlier this year! The IRS sent back my return saying I needed to update my address even though I had moved months after filing - it was so confusing at first. After reading through all these responses, I ended up going the e-filing route and it was definitely the right choice. I didn't have to wait any specific time period after receiving the Form 3531 - I e-filed about 3 days later and everything went smoothly. The key thing is that since your paper return was rejected/sent back, the IRS system treats it like you never filed, so there's no risk of duplicate filings. Just make sure when you e-file that you use your current address (the one you updated with the IRS when you moved in July). This will actually solve both issues at once - you'll have the correct signature electronically, and your current address will be on file. My refund came through in about 2 weeks after e-filing, compared to friends who dealt with the paper correction process and waited over a month. Definitely recommend going digital if you're comfortable with it!

I went through this exact same situation with Form 3531 about 6 months ago! The signature issue is incredibly common - even when you think you signed everything properly, sometimes the ink doesn't show up clearly when they scan it, or you might have missed signing a schedule attachment. For the address situation, I was confused about this too until I called the IRS. They explained that even though you moved after filing, they want your return to reflect your current address in their system so all future correspondence about that specific tax year goes to the right place. It's more of an administrative update than anything punitive. You have a couple good options here: 1) Fix the paper forms and mail them back (your February filing date is preserved), or 2) E-file instead since your paper return was technically rejected. I went with e-filing and it was SO much faster - got my refund in about 2 weeks instead of waiting months for paper processing. If you do e-file, just use your current address from when you moved in July. Since you already updated your address with the IRS online, this will actually solve both the signature and address issues at once. The electronic signature takes care of the signing problem, and having your current address on the return matches their records. Don't stress too much - this is a very fixable situation and won't affect your refund timeline as long as you respond promptly!

I've been following this thread closely since I'm dealing with a very similar Form 3531 situation right now! Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences - it's been incredibly helpful to see so many people who went through the exact same thing. Based on all the advice here, I'm convinced that e-filing is the way to go. The idea of getting my refund in 2-3 weeks instead of potentially waiting months for paper processing is really appealing, especially since I've already been waiting since February like the original poster. One thing I want to emphasize for anyone else reading this thread: make sure you're using black ink if you do decide to go the paper correction route. I learned this the hard way on a different form last year - apparently blue ink sometimes doesn't scan clearly in their systems, which can trigger the signature issue even when you think you signed everything properly. The address situation still seems confusing to me though. If I moved after filing but before receiving the Form 3531, should I use my old address (from when I originally filed) or my current address when e-filing? I've seen conflicting advice on this point.