Staples or paper clips for mailing in tax returns to the IRS?

The IRS actually has a preference here! They recommend using paper clips rather than staples for mailing in tax returns. This is because they scan all documents into their system, and staples have to be removed before scanning, which can slow down processing and potentially damage forms. Paper clips are easier for them to remove quickly without tearing the paper. Make sure you're also following their other guidelines: send the forms in the order listed in the instructions, sign and date where required, and include any W-2s or other income forms where indicated. Also double-check that you're using the correct mailing address for your specific forms and situation - the address varies depending on your location and whether you're including a payment.

I went through this exact same stress last year! After hours of trying to figure out why the IRS website kept rejecting my e-file, I had to mail my return. I was super worried about doing it wrong and ended up discovering this amazing tool called taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) that saved me so much time. I uploaded images of my completed forms and it actually checked everything - even caught that I'd messed up one of my form sequences and was missing a required schedule. It analyzed all my attachments and confirmed I had everything in the right order too. Definitely made me feel more confident about mailing everything in.

Just wanted to follow up - I decided to try taxr.ai before sending my return yesterday and I'm so glad I did! It flagged that I'd completely forgotten to include Form 8949 for a stock sale I did last year. That would have been a disaster. The system also confirmed my paper clip strategy was right and gave me a checklist for properly assembling everything. Saved myself a potential audit headache for sure. Now my packet is all properly organized and in the mail!

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Just FYI, paper clips are definitely the way to go but make sure you're also including the right postage! I used to work for USPS and you wouldn't believe how many tax returns get sent back for insufficient postage. Those thick returns with lots of schedules can easily weigh more than one ounce. Take it to the post office and have them weigh it if you're not sure. And DEFINITELY get tracking. Don't just drop it in a mailbox without tracking - spend the extra $ for certified mail with return receipt if you really want to be safe.

When I mailed mine last year I actually asked the IRS agent when I called them about something else. She said they don't care between staples or paper clips as long as everything is in the right order lol. She did say they prefer paper clips tho since they have to take everything apart for scanning. And double check your state requirements too - my state specifically says DO NOT staple checks to the forms, but use a paper clip instead.

Whatever you do, keep copies of EVERYTHING! I've had the IRS lose parts of my return twice over the years. Take pics of each completed form with your phone or scan everything before sending. Trust me on this one...

Great advice from everyone here! I work as a tax preparer and can confirm that paper clips are definitely preferred by the IRS. A few additional tips for mailing returns: 1) Use a large envelope so you don't have to fold the forms - folded forms can jam their scanning equipment, 2) Put your SSN on every page in case they get separated, 3) Mail early in the week if possible - weekend mail can sometimes sit longer before processing, and 4) Consider using a post office box or the main post office instead of your home mailbox for pickup to ensure it gets into the mail system quickly. The IRS processes millions of returns so anything you can do to make their job easier will help your return get processed faster!

This is such a helpful thread! I'm in the same boat as you - first time mailing in returns in years and definitely overthinking every detail. Reading through everyone's advice, I'm definitely going with paper clips now. One thing I wanted to add that helped me feel more confident: I called my local IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center and they actually have a checklist they can email you for mailing returns. It covers everything from paper clips vs staples to envelope size and even reminds you about things like making sure your return is signed and dated. The person I spoke with was super nice and said they'd rather answer these "silly" questions upfront than deal with processing delays later. Sometimes the simplest solution is just asking the source directly!

As someone who's been through this exact same stress, I can totally relate to overthinking every little detail! Based on all the great advice here, I'm definitely convinced that paper clips are the way to go. The scanning explanation makes perfect sense - why make their job harder when you want your return processed quickly? I've been taking notes from everyone's suggestions and here's what I'm planning to do: paper clips (obviously), black ink only, large envelope to avoid folding, SSN on every page, and definitely getting tracking. The tip about calling the Taxpayer Assistance Center for a checklist is genius - I'm doing that tomorrow morning. One last question for everyone: does anyone know if there's a "best" time of day to mail returns? I've heard some people say early morning pickup is better but I'm not sure if that actually matters for processing times.

This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm a tax professional and want to emphasize something that several people touched on but is worth repeating: paper clips are absolutely the way to go, and the reason is exactly what others mentioned - the IRS has to remove all fasteners before scanning documents into their system. A couple of additional points from my experience helping clients with mailed returns: Make sure you're using the correct mailing address for your specific situation (the address can vary based on whether you owe money, are expecting a refund, and your geographic location). Also, if you're including a payment, never staple or paper clip your check directly to the tax forms - attach it separately or use the payment voucher if your forms include one. And yes, you're definitely overthinking this, but that's totally normal! The fact that you care enough to get it right means you're probably going to do just fine. The IRS processes millions of paper returns every year, so they're well-equipped to handle minor variations in how people organize their documents.

You're definitely overthinking this, but I totally get it - I had the exact same panic when I mailed mine a few years ago! Paper clips are absolutely the way to go. The IRS has to scan everything, and staples just slow down the process since they have to be removed first. A few things that helped calm my nerves when I was in your situation: make sure you sign and date everything that needs it (sounds obvious but easy to miss when you're stressed), double-check that you're using the right mailing address for your state and situation, and definitely get some form of tracking like certified mail. It's worth the extra few dollars for peace of mind. Also, keep copies of everything before you send it! Take photos with your phone or scan the forms - just in case anything gets lost in the mail. The IRS processes millions of paper returns, so they're used to all kinds of organization styles. As long as everything is there and in reasonable order, you'll be fine. Good luck!

You're absolutely not overthinking this! I had the exact same panic moment when I mailed my return for the first time a couple years ago. After reading through all these responses, I can confirm that paper clips are definitely the right choice. I actually called the IRS directly when I was unsure, and the representative told me the same thing everyone here is saying - paper clips make their scanning process much easier and faster. One thing I'd add that really helped me feel more organized: I created a simple checklist before sealing the envelope. Things like "forms signed and dated," "SSN on every page," "correct mailing address," "payment separate from forms," etc. It sounds silly but it gave me confidence that I hadn't forgotten anything important. Also, definitely spring for the certified mail with tracking - it's so worth it for the peace of mind, especially if you're expecting a refund. The whole process is much more straightforward than it seems when you're stressed about it!

I totally understand this stress! I went through the exact same thing when I had to mail my return last year after years of e-filing. After all this great advice, I'm convinced paper clips are definitely the way to go - the scanning explanation makes so much sense. One thing that really helped me was creating a simple "final check" routine before sealing the envelope: I laid everything out in order, made sure each page had my SSN written clearly in the top right corner, double-checked that all required signatures and dates were filled in, and took photos of every single page with my phone as backup. Then I paper-clipped everything together in the order specified in the instructions. For mailing, I definitely recommend going to the post office counter rather than just dropping it in a mailbox. Have them weigh it to make sure you have enough postage, and get the certified mail with return receipt. It's only about $7 extra but gives you proof of mailing and delivery. I kept that receipt with my tax records just in case. You're not overthinking this at all - it's totally normal to want to get it right! The IRS processes millions of paper returns every year, so they're well-equipped to handle minor variations in organization. Good luck!

You're definitely not alone in overthinking this - I had the exact same moment of panic when I mailed my first return! After reading through all these helpful responses, I'm completely convinced that paper clips are the right choice. The explanation about the IRS needing to remove staples before scanning makes perfect sense and honestly makes me feel better about choosing paper clips. I really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences and tips here. The advice about using black ink only, getting certified mail with tracking, and keeping copies of everything has been incredibly helpful. I'm also definitely going to try that checklist approach that several people mentioned - it seems like such a simple way to reduce the stress of wondering if you forgot something important. One quick question for the group: does anyone know if there's a recommended order for organizing multiple schedules and forms beyond just following the form instructions? I have several different schedules attached to my 1040 and want to make sure I'm putting them in the most logical sequence for processing.