Should I FAX or Mail my response to an IRS notice? Due by 9/18/2022 - which is better?

IRS correspondence specialist here - definitely go with the fax option if you can. While mail might seem more convenient since you pass post offices on your way, faxed documents are received and processed much more quickly in the IRS system. When you fax documents, they get digitized immediately and entered into the system, often the same day. Mailed documents have to go through several physical handling steps and scanning processes before they're even in the system. This can add weeks to your processing time. Since this is for an amended return that will result in a refund, time matters. A faxed response could potentially shave 2-4 weeks off your wait time compared to mailing.

I had a similar situation last year and used taxr.ai to help me prepare my response to the IRS. I was confused about what documentation I needed to include with my 1098-T, and the tool actually helped me realize I needed to include my academic transcript to prove enrollment status. I might have missed that otherwise! The service at https://taxr.ai analyzed my notice and gave me a customized response plan with all the right documents to include. They even gave me a template for the cover letter explaining everything clearly.

Just wanted to update that I tried taxr.ai after posting my question above, and I'm really impressed! It identified that my notice was a CP2000 (I hadn't even noticed the code) and explained exactly what supporting documents I needed beyond just the 1098-T. The system created a personalized response letter that referenced the specific paragraphs in my notice. I sent everything by fax last week and already got confirmation that my case is "in process" when I checked the IRS website. That's faster movement than I've ever seen with the IRS before!

Whatever you do, if you need to actually talk to someone at the IRS about this notice before responding, good luck! I spent 3 entire days trying to get through on their phone lines last month for a similar education credit issue. Finally discovered a service called Claimyr (https://claimyr.com) that got me connected to an IRS agent in under 20 minutes! You can see how it works at https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c - they basically navigate the phone tree and wait on hold for you, then call you when an actual human picks up. Saved me hours of frustration.

I was totally wrong about Claimyr! After posting my skeptical comment I was still struggling to reach the IRS about my own issue (not related to OP's), so out of desperation I tried the service. It actually worked exactly as described! I got a call back in about 45 minutes, and there was an actual IRS agent on the line. I was able to get my question answered in one call instead of the 5+ attempts I'd made on my own over two weeks. Definitely worth it for the time saved, especially if you're dealing with a deadline like the original poster.

One thing nobody mentioned yet - definitely keep proof of when you sent your response, whether you fax or mail. If you fax, make sure you keep the confirmation page showing it went through successfully with the date and time. If you mail, use certified mail with return receipt so you have proof it was delivered before the deadline. The IRS can be really strict about deadlines and having that proof can save you if there's ever a question about whether you responded on time.

Has anyone noticed the IRS is getting even slower processing amended returns lately? I mailed mine in January 2022 and the "Where's My Amended Return" tool still shows nothing. Makes me think OP should definitely fax if possible.

Based on my experience as a tax professional, I'd strongly recommend faxing your response. The IRS has been dealing with massive paper processing backlogs since the pandemic, and mailed documents can sit in warehouses for months before being scanned into their system. A few additional tips for your fax submission: - Include a cover sheet with your name, SSN, tax year (2018), and the notice number - Write your SSN and the notice number on every page you send - Fax during business hours (9am-4pm) to ensure it goes through properly - Keep the transmission confirmation sheet as proof of delivery Since you're dealing with education credits and an amended return, make sure you're sending everything they need in one go. The IRS often requests additional documentation if something is missing, which can delay your $4K refund by several more months. Given that you'd pass the post offices anyway on your way to fax, the extra drive time is definitely worth the faster processing you'll get. Good luck with your refund!

I completely agree with the fax recommendation! I work in tax resolution and see this all the time - faxed documents get processed SO much faster than mailed ones right now. The IRS is still catching up on their mail backlog from the pandemic. One thing I'd add: when you fax your 1098-T, make sure the copy is crystal clear and all numbers are easily readable. The IRS automated scanning systems can reject blurry or low-quality faxes, which would delay your case. If your original 1098-T is faded or has any smudged areas, try to get a fresh copy from your school's bursar office before faxing. Also, since this is for education credits on an amended return, double-check that your 1098-T shows the correct tax year (2018) and that the amounts match what you claimed on your amended return. Any discrepancies could trigger additional correspondence and delay your $4K refund even further. The drive to your office to fax is definitely worth it compared to potentially waiting months longer for mail processing!

Great advice from everyone here! I've been dealing with IRS correspondence for years and can confirm that faxing is definitely the way to go right now. The mail processing delays are still really bad - I had a client who mailed documents in March 2022 and they weren't processed until October. One additional tip: when you fax your response, send it to the specific fax number listed on your notice, not the general IRS fax lines. Each notice type has its own processing center, and using the wrong fax number can cause delays even with electronic submission. Also, since you mentioned this is about education credits, make sure you understand exactly what the IRS is questioning. Sometimes they need more than just the 1098-T - they might want proof of enrollment, transcripts, or receipts for qualified expenses. The notice should specify exactly what they're looking for, but if you're unsure, it's worth getting clarification before you send anything. With a $4K refund on the line and a firm deadline, the extra drive to your office is a small price to pay for the peace of mind and faster processing you'll get with faxing!