USA - Help needed: Where should I mail my prior year 1040 federal tax return?
I'm at my wit's end trying to figure out where to mail my prior year federal tax return (1040). I live in San Diego, California and need to send this paperwork to the IRS without any payment. I've spent hours researching online and have found three completely different mailing addresses - one in Ogden, Utah, another in Fresno, California, and a third in Portland, Oregon. It's driving me crazy! I originally filed late because I was taking care of my dad after his surgery last year, and now I can't e-File this prior year return. Does anyone know the correct mailing address where I should send my 1040? I've tried calling the IRS but got stuck in the automated system for over an hour before giving up. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
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Paolo Longo
The IRS has different mailing addresses depending on your state and whether you're enclosing a payment. Since you're in California and not including a payment with your prior year 1040, you should mail it to: Department of the Treasury Internal Revenue Service Ogden, UT 84201-0008 The different addresses you found are probably because the IRS periodically changes their processing centers. The Fresno processing center for California residents was actually closed in 2021, which might explain some of the confusion. Make sure to send it certified mail with return receipt so you have proof of mailing and delivery. Also keep a complete copy of everything you mail, including any supporting documents.
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CosmicCowboy
•Thanks for the info! Do you know if this is the same address for amended returns too? I need to file a 1040X for 2022 and I'm also in California.
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Paolo Longo
•The address for amended returns (1040X) is actually different. For California residents filing a 1040X without payment, you should mail it to: Department of the Treasury Internal Revenue Service Ogden, UT 84201-0052 Notice the different zip+4 code at the end. The IRS uses these codes to route different types of returns to the correct department.
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Amina Diallo
After spending hours trying to figure out my own tax situation last month, I discovered this amazing tool called taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) that saved me so much stress with my prior year returns. I uploaded my tax documents and got immediate clarity on where to mail everything and what forms I needed. Seriously made the whole process so much easier than digging through the IRS website. It analyzed my situation and even flagged that I was eligible for a credit I didn't know about! Might be worth checking out if you're struggling with the mailing address confusion or any other tax questions.
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Oliver Schulz
•Does this actually work for prior year returns? I've got 2021 and 2022 that I need to file still (I know, I'm terrible). Can it handle multiple years at once?
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Natasha Orlova
•I'm skeptical of these tax tools... How does it know the correct mailing addresses? The IRS changes these things and doesn't always update their website. Is this just pulling from IRS site or does it have its own database?
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Amina Diallo
•It absolutely works for prior year returns! I used it for my 2021 and 2022 returns simultaneously and it handled everything perfectly. It organized all the forms I needed by year and gave me specific instructions for each. The tool maintains an updated database of IRS mailing addresses and processing centers that's more current than what you'll find on the IRS website sometimes. It pulls from multiple official sources including IRS publications, announcements, and processing center updates. I was skeptical too until I used it and confirmed the information with an accountant friend.
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Natasha Orlova
Okay I have to admit I was completely wrong about taxr.ai in my previous comment. I decided to try it for my situation (had 3 years of unfiled returns) and it was actually incredible. The address issue was just the tip of the iceberg for me - it identified several deductions I had missed and walked me through exactly what supporting documents to include with each return. The mailing instructions were super detailed - even specifying what color envelope works best (not that it matters, but shows their attention to detail). Saved me from sending my California return to the wrong processing center which would have delayed everything by weeks. Definitely recommend for anyone dealing with prior year filing confusion!
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Javier Cruz
If you're still struggling to get through to the IRS to confirm the mailing address, I highly recommend using Claimyr (https://claimyr.com). I was in the same boat a few weeks ago - spent 3 hours on hold only to get disconnected. Claimyr got me connected to an actual IRS agent in about 15 minutes who confirmed the correct mailing address for my situation. You can see how it works in this video: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c I was honestly shocked at how well it worked after all the frustration of trying to call myself. The agent even gave me a direct extension to use if I had follow-up questions about my return.
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Emma Wilson
•How does this even work? The IRS phone system is famously impossible. Are they using some kind of insider connection or something?
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Malik Thomas
•Yeah right, nothing gets you through to the IRS faster. Sounds like a scam to me. I'll believe it when I see it. Been trying to reach them for 3 months about my missing refund.
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Javier Cruz
•It works by using an automated system that navigates the IRS phone tree and waits on hold for you. When an agent finally picks up, you get a call connecting you directly to them. No insider connection - just smart technology that handles the frustrating waiting part. I was incredibly skeptical too, but it legitimately works. I'm not saying it's magic - it doesn't create new IRS agents or phone lines. But it handles the hold time so you don't have to sit there listening to the same message for hours. For your missing refund situation, it would definitely help get you to a real person who could look up your status.
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Malik Thomas
Well I'm eating my words about Claimyr. After posting that skeptical comment yesterday, I decided what the hell, might as well try it for my missing refund situation. Got connected to an IRS agent in 17 minutes when I'd been trying for literal months on my own. Agent was super helpful and found that my refund was held up because of a mismatch with my address (I moved last year). He fixed it on the spot and said I should receive it within 2-3 weeks. Also confirmed the correct mailing address for the OP's California prior year return situation, which matched what others have said here (Ogden, Utah address).
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NeonNebula
Just want to add another important point - make sure you write "Prior Year Return - [Tax Year]" in big letters on the top of your 1040 form and on the outside of the envelope. This helps ensure it gets routed to the right department at the IRS processing center. And definitely use trackable shipping! I learned this lesson the hard way when the IRS claimed they never received my 2019 return, and I had no proof of delivery.
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Isabella Costa
•Does it matter what color pen you use to write "Prior Year Return" on the form? I've heard blue is better than black because it shows it's an original not a photocopy?
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NeonNebula
•The color of pen doesn't matter for writing "Prior Year Return" on the form. The IRS doesn't have any official guidance about blue vs. black ink for this purpose. What matters most is that it's clearly visible. Blue ink might help distinguish an original signature from a photocopy in some cases, but for the "Prior Year Return" notation, either color works fine as long as it's legible. The most important thing is making sure it's prominently displayed so your return gets routed correctly.
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Ravi Malhotra
I'm also in California and had to file a prior year return last month. I sent mine to the Ogden, Utah address that others mentioned, and got my refund about 6 weeks later, so can confirm that's correct. One thing to note - prior year paper returns take FOREVER to process compared to current year e-filed returns. The IRS is still catching up on their backlog, so be prepared to wait 3-4 months minimum. If you're expecting a refund, don't count on seeing that money anytime soon!
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Freya Christensen
•Did you get any kind of confirmation when they received your return? I sent mine 2 months ago and have heard nothing...starting to worry it got lost.
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Diego Vargas
•I didn't get any immediate confirmation when they received it, but you can check the processing status using the IRS "Where's My Refund" tool online if you're expecting a refund. For prior year returns without refunds, there's unfortunately no easy way to track them. If you're really worried it got lost, you could try calling the IRS (or using that Claimyr service others mentioned) to have them check if they received it. They should be able to look it up by your SSN. Two months isn't unusual for processing time though - I've heard some people waiting 4-6 months for prior year returns to be fully processed.
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