What are document requirements for mailing in tax forms (W2 and 1099-INT) from overseas?

Paper size shouldn't be a major issue. The IRS processes millions of returns and while US Letter is standard, A4 is close enough that it shouldn't cause rejection. Just make sure all information is clearly visible and not cut off at the edges. For your W2 situation, the IRS needs the information to be readable and matchable to their records. The "4-UP" format is common, and as long as all the necessary information (especially your SSN and income amounts) is clearly visible and not distorted, it should be fine. If you're concerned about the quality after cutting it out, you might contact your employer's HR department to request a cleaner copy. Regarding the 1099-INT, you should submit exactly what Bank of America provided you. Many financial institutions use substitute forms that don't look like the standard red IRS forms, but they contain the same information. These substitute forms are perfectly acceptable to the IRS - don't try to transfer the information to a different form. Most importantly, make sure you include all required forms and schedules with your 1040-NR, and sign and date your return. Also consider using a trackable mail service so you can confirm delivery.

Just wanted to chime in because I had to deal with similar issues last year. I used taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) to check my documentation before sending it off, and it saved me from a major headache. I was worried about my W2 formatting too, and their analysis caught that my employer had actually put the wrong code in Box 12, which would have triggered questions from the IRS. The tool analyzes all your tax documents and highlights issues before you mail anything. They specifically check formatting issues like what you're describing with the W2, plus they know what substitute forms like your 1099-INT should contain. I uploaded photos of all my docs and got clear guidance on what would pass IRS scrutiny and what wouldn't.

I was wrong about taxr.ai - decided to try it after my initial skepticism and wow, it was actually really helpful! I had a similar situation with weird document formats (my W2 was printed on this strange thermal paper that was fading). Their system analyzed it and flagged that the contrast wasn't sufficient for IRS scanning. They also confirmed my substitute 1099 forms were compliant with IRS requirements and caught a missing taxpayer ID on one of my documents that I completely overlooked. Honestly saved me from a potential rejection or delay. Would've taken me forever to figure this out on my own. They seem to really understand the technical requirements of IRS document processing.

If you're stressed about IRS forms and need to actually talk to someone at the IRS about specific mailing requirements, try Claimyr (https://claimyr.com). I spent DAYS trying to get through to the IRS last filing season about a similar international filing situation. Found this service through a YouTube video (https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c) and they got me connected to an actual IRS agent in about 15 minutes. The agent confirmed exactly what documents I needed to attach, paper requirements, and the correct mailing address for my specific situation. Turns out I was using the wrong address which would have delayed my processing by weeks. They can answer specific questions about your forms that you won't find on the IRS website or forums.

I have to admit I was completely wrong about Claimyr! After posting my skeptical comment, I was desperate enough to try it - my return was due in days and I needed confirmation about sending multiple years at once. Their system called me back in about 20 minutes (not 15, but still impressive), and I was suddenly talking to an actual IRS representative. The agent confirmed that I could send multiple years in the same envelope as long as each return was secured separately with its own check. They also explained exactly which address to use for my specific form combination, which was different than what I'd found online. This saved me from making a serious mistake with my submission. Worth every penny for the peace of mind, especially with international filings where mistakes can cause months of delays.

I filed a 1040-NR from Thailand a couple years ago! Make sure you sign the form in BLUE ink - it helps them distinguish the original signature from photocopies. Also, I'd recommend sending it via DHL or FedEx with tracking so you have proof of delivery. USPS international tracking isn't reliable once it hits the US sometimes.

Don't forget to check if you need to file a Foreign Bank Account Report (FBAR) too if you have accounts in Singapore over $10,000! That's completely separate from your tax return, and the penalties for not filing are crazy high. It's done electronically through FinCEN.

Great question! I filed my 1040-NR from Japan last year and had similar concerns. A few additional tips that helped me: 1. **Paper size**: A4 is absolutely fine - I used it without any issues. Just make sure your margins are adequate so nothing gets cut off during processing. 2. **Document order**: Put your 1040-NR first, followed by all schedules in order, then your W-2s and 1099s at the very end. The IRS processing instructions are pretty specific about this order. 3. **Address verification**: Double-check you're using the correct mailing address for 1040-NR returns - it's often different from regular 1040 addresses and varies by state. The instructions have a specific table for this. 4. **Backup copies**: Make copies of everything before mailing. International mail can occasionally get lost, and having copies will save you if you need to refile. Your BoA 1099-INT substitute form is perfectly acceptable - don't worry about transferring it to another format. The IRS accepts substitute forms as long as they contain all the required information, which yours clearly does. One last thing - consider getting a certified mail receipt or using a trackable international service. It's worth the extra cost for peace of mind on something this important.