USPS Delivered My Form 3520 to Wrong IRS ZIP Code - What Should I Do Now?

Jumping in here - does this apply to ALL IRS forms going to that Ogden facility? I just sent my 8938 there and now I'm paranoid about checking the tracking.

Yes, this applies to most forms going to the Ogden processing center. The IRS uses different ZIP code extensions for internal routing, but they're all within the same facility complex. Your Form 8938 would follow the same process. If you're concerned, you can always verify by calling the IRS, but in most cases, this ZIP code difference is just how their internal mail routing works. The tracking update just means it arrived at the main distribution facility in that area.

How exactly does taxr.ai help with tracking down already submitted forms? Their website makes it sound more like they help with preparation, not dealing with the IRS after submission.

I'm curious about this too. Did you have to upload your actual foreign trust documents? I'm always nervous about sharing financial docs online, especially for foreign accounts.

Their document tracking assistance is part of their support services. When you upload your submission evidence (like your tracking number), they can help determine if it reached the correct department and follow up if needed. They helped me confirm my submission was properly received despite showing a different ZIP code in tracking. Regarding document security, they use bank-level encryption, and you only need to upload what you're comfortable sharing. I was initially hesitant too, but their system helped identify several reporting errors that could have triggered penalties. Their verification also works with just the form itself if you prefer not to upload supporting documents.

Wait, does this actually work? The IRS phone system is a nightmare. I literally tried calling for 3 weeks straight about a similar issue and never got through. How much does this service cost?

This sounds too good to be true. I've tried using those "press 1 for callback" options with the IRS and they never actually call back. Why would this service be any different?

Yes, it absolutely works! The difference is they use specialized software that navigates the IRS phone tree and stays on hold for you. When you're about to be connected to an agent, you get a call connecting you directly. Their system is different from the IRS callback option (which I agree is unreliable). Claimyr's system stays actively connected to the IRS the whole time rather than depending on the IRS to call you back. That's why it's more reliable than the standard callback option. I was skeptical too until I tried it and actually got through in one attempt after trying on my own for days.

I accidentally sent my Form 3520-A to the wrong IRS address completely (sent it to Kansas City instead of Ogden) last year. I got a notice about 3 months later saying they hadn't received it. I immediately sent another copy with proof of my original mailing and explained the error. They accepted it without penalties, but it was stressful waiting to see if they'd hit me with that massive $10k+ penalty. For your situation, if it's the right city but wrong ZIP, I think you're probably fine based on what others are saying, but maybe send a duplicate marked as such just to be safe? The peace of mind might be worth it.

Thanks for sharing your experience. That's really helpful! I think I will send a duplicate just to be safe. The potential penalties are way too scary to risk it. I'll mark it clearly as a duplicate with my original tracking info like someone suggested above.

Thank you so much! This makes me feel a lot better. So basically all mail going to that IRS facility might show as delivered to 84201 even if we sent it to 84409? That would explain everything. I think I'll still call to confirm they received it just for peace of mind, but knowing this is common is really reassuring.

Exactly! The 84201 zip is basically the main Ogden postal hub, while 84409 is one of the specific IRS routing codes. The USPS tracking usually just shows delivery to the main facility, not the internal routing that happens afterward. Calling to confirm is always smart with something as important as Form 3520, especially with those ridiculous penalties. But I'm 99% sure your form is exactly where it needs to be!

This is such helpful advice! I never thought about asking for an email confirmation or reference number when calling the IRS. That's a really smart way to document the conversation. Quick question - when you say "email you a confirmation," do they actually send emails? I thought the IRS mostly communicated through regular mail. Or are you talking about getting them to note something in your account that you can reference later? Also, thanks for the reminder about the mailing date being what matters for the deadline. I've been so focused on when it was delivered that I forgot the postmark date is the key thing. My certified mail receipt shows I sent it two days before the deadline, so I should be okay even if there were delivery issues.

You're absolutely right to ask about that! The IRS doesn't typically send email confirmations (they're pretty old school with their communications), but what I meant was asking the agent to make a detailed note in your taxpayer account that includes the date/time of your call and confirmation that they verified receipt of your form. When you call, ask them to provide you with a "call reference number" or "interaction tracking number" - this is basically their internal system's way of documenting the conversation. You can write this number down along with the agent's name/ID number and the date. If you ever need to reference the call later, you can give them that number and they should be able to pull up the notes. Some agents are more thorough about documentation than others, so don't be afraid to specifically ask them to note in your account that you called to verify receipt of Form 3520 filed on [your mailing date] with tracking number [your certified mail number]. The more specific you are, the better the documentation will be. And yes, you're totally right about the postmark date - that certified mail receipt showing you mailed it before the deadline is your golden ticket! Sounds like you're all set.