What's the final deadline to mail Form 8453 after IRS accepts e-file returns?

Thanks for the info! Just to make sure I understand correctly - I need to wait for the IRS to confirm they've accepted my e-filed return before sending Form 8453? And then I have 3 business days after that to mail it in? Also, do you know what specific situations require Form 8453? My tax software is telling me I need it because I have some documents that need signatures, but I'm confused about exactly what I'm supposed to attach.

Yes, you need to wait until you receive confirmation that your e-filed return was accepted before sending Form 8453. Then you have 3 business days to mail it. Form 8453 is typically required when you have forms that need original signatures or supporting documents that can't be submitted electronically. Common examples include Form 8283 for non-cash charitable contributions over $500 with required appraisal, Form 3115 for accounting method changes, or certain power of attorney forms. Your tax software should specify exactly which documents you need to attach - don't send anything not listed as required.

How exactly does taxr.ai work? My software is also saying I need to submit an 8453 for some investment documents, but I'm not convinced I actually need to. Does it actually give specific advice for your situation or just general info?

I'm a bit skeptical about sharing tax documents with yet another online service. How secure is this? And can it really contradict what established tax software is telling you to do?

It works by analyzing your tax documents and identifies specific IRS rules that apply to your situation. It's not just general advice - it looks at your actual forms and tells you exactly what's required for your specific case. For me, it pointed out that my digital signatures were actually sufficient under current IRS rules, contrary to what my outdated tax software claimed. Totally understand the security concern. They use bank-level encryption and don't store your documents after analysis. I was hesitant too, but they explain that they're just analyzing your documents, not filing anything on your behalf. In my case, they saved me from an unnecessary step my tax software was incorrectly requiring.

How does this actually work? The IRS phone system is notoriously awful - are you saying this service somehow jumps the queue or something?

This sounds like a complete scam. No way some third-party service has special access to the IRS phone lines. They're probably just taking your money and you got lucky with a short wait time by coincidence.

It doesn't jump the queue - they use an automated system that waits on hold for you. Basically, their system calls the IRS and navigates through all the prompts, then stays on hold in your place. When an agent is about to pick up, they call your phone and connect you directly to the IRS agent. You don't have to stay on the phone during the hours-long wait. It's definitely not a scam - there's nothing magical about it. They're just using technology to handle the hold time for you. I was skeptical too, but I was desperate after trying for weeks to get through. It works exactly as advertised - they wait on hold so you don't have to, then connect you when an agent answers. Nothing about "special access" - just a smart solution to a frustrating problem.

That's a good idea! Did you need to fill out any specific power of attorney forms for this, or is it just an informal arrangement?

For just mailing a pre-prepared envelope, you don't need formal power of attorney paperwork. That would be overkill for this situation. Just have everything ready to go in the envelope - signed form, any required attachments, proper address - and ask a trusted person to drop it in the mail when you give them the green light after getting your acceptance notification. If you wanted them to actually sign anything on your behalf, that would be different and would require formal authorization. But for simply mailing a completed form, a simple request to a friend or family member is sufficient.

It depends on your specific tax situation. Form 8453 is only required in certain cases where you have documents that can't be e-filed. Most common e-filed returns don't need it anymore, but there are exceptions like certain paper statements that require signatures, supporting documentation for specific deductions, or certain types of foreign income reporting.

This is really helpful advice about preparing everything in advance! I'm in a similar situation where I need to travel soon after filing. Quick question - when you say "don't sign it until after e-file acceptance," does that mean the signature date on Form 8453 should match the date you actually mail it, not the date you originally filed electronically? I want to make sure I'm not creating any timing issues with the IRS by having mismatched dates.