Where do I mail my tax return? Looking for correct IRS mailing address

Thanks for the info! Quick follow-up question - does it matter what color ink I sign with? I remember hearing something about the IRS requiring blue ink signatures. Also, should I include a cover letter explaining why I'm filing late?

The IRS accepts both blue and black ink for signatures, though some tax professionals prefer blue because it makes it easier to identify the original signed document versus a photocopy. Either color is fine though. Regarding a cover letter, it's not required but can be helpful if there are special circumstances the IRS should know about. However, if you're simply filing late, the forms themselves have areas where you'll indicate this. If you're concerned about penalties, you might want to include a brief explanation if you believe you have reasonable cause for the late filing that might qualify for penalty abatement.

Wait, I've never heard of this tool before. Does it actually work with previous year returns? I filed 2021 electronically but realized I made a huge mistake on my business expenses and need to amend. Would this help me figure out the whole amendment process?

I'm kinda skeptical... how does it actually confirm the IRS address? Couldn't you just look that up on the official IRS website? Is this just some paid service that does what you could do yourself for free?

Yes, it absolutely works with previous year returns! It can handle amendments too. It'll scan your original return and then help you properly prepare the 1040-X form with all the right documentation. It was a lifesaver for figuring out all the correct procedures. The address verification is just one small feature. What it really does is analyze your entire return for errors or missing information that might cause processing delays. The IRS website just gives you the address, but doesn't help with making sure everything else is properly prepared for mailing. And it identified several deductions I qualified for but had missed when I prepared my original return.

How does this actually work though? I thought the IRS phone lines were just perpetually jammed. Is this some kind of priority line or something?

This sounds like BS. No way you're getting through to the IRS in 15 minutes when millions of people can't get through after hours of trying. If this actually worked, everyone would be using it and the "secret" line would be just as jammed as the regular one.

It's not a priority line or secret number - it uses automation technology to navigate the IRS phone tree and wait on hold so you don't have to. It basically calls repeatedly using the optimal calling patterns they've figured out, and when it finally gets through to an agent, it connects you immediately. No BS at all - it's just solving the problem of having to personally sit on hold for hours. I was skeptical too, but after my third attempt to call the IRS ended with being on hold for 2+ hours and then getting disconnected, I was desperate. I literally got connected to a real IRS agent within 15 minutes of using their service. The agent confirmed my return was received and gave me the estimated processing timeline.

Do you need to get anything notarized when sending old returns? I have to send in a corrected 2021 return and someone told me I needed to get it notarized first. That seems excessive but I don't want to do it wrong.

No, you definitely don't need to get your tax return notarized. That's not an IRS requirement. Your signature on the tax forms is sufficient - no notarization needed. The most important things are making sure you've signed all the appropriate places, included all required forms and supporting documents, and if you're sending an amended return, completing Form 1040-X correctly with a clear explanation of what you're changing and why. But notarization is not part of the process at all, so whoever told you that was mistaken.

The IRS uses different addresses for different types of returns - amended returns often go to a different address than regular returns. Check the specific instructions for Form 1040-X, or go to the IRS website and use their "Where to File" tool which will give you the correct address based on your location and the type of return you're filing. Don't just assume it's the same address!

This is really helpful, thanks! I'm in the same boat as the original poster - procrastinated and now have to mail in a 2022 return. One thing I'm confused about though - when you say "different addresses depending on whether you're including payment" - how do I know which category I fall into? I owe about $800, so I assume that means "with payment"? And should I include the payment with the return or send it separately?

Yes, if you owe $800, that would be considered "with payment." You should include your payment (check or money order) with your return in the same envelope - don't send them separately as that can cause processing delays and confusion. When you go to the IRS "Where to File" tool on their website, make sure to select the option that indicates you're including a payment. This will give you the correct address, which might be slightly different from the address for returns without payment. Also, make sure your check is made out to "United States Treasury" and write your Social Security Number and the tax year (2022) in the memo line. Attach the check to the front of your Form 1040 where indicated. This helps ensure your payment gets properly credited to your account.

This is exactly the kind of reassurance I needed! As someone who's never had to mail in a tax return before, seeing that minimal address format was definitely anxiety-inducing. It's really helpful to hear from someone who works in the industry and has experience with this process. Quick question about the USPS Informed Delivery - do you need to sign up for that in advance, or can you set it up after you've already mailed something? I'm planning to send my return out tomorrow and just learned about this service from your comment. Also, you mentioned penalty and interest calculations - is there a way to estimate those beforehand, or do I just have to wait and see what the IRS says I owe? This is for a 2021 return that I should have filed in 2022, so it's been quite a while unfortunately.

You can sign up for USPS Informed Delivery at any time - it doesn't need to be set up in advance. Just go to usps.com and create an account with your address. It usually takes 1-2 business days to activate, so if you mail your return tomorrow, you should be able to track it within a few days. For penalty and interest calculations on your 2021 return, the IRS has a pretty complex formula, but you can get a rough estimate using their online penalty and interest calculator on irs.gov. Generally, you're looking at a failure-to-file penalty (5% per month up to 25% of unpaid tax), failure-to-pay penalty (0.5% per month), plus interest that compounds daily. For a return that's about 2+ years late, those penalties can really add up quickly. If you have reasonable cause for the delay (serious illness, natural disaster, etc.), you might be able to request penalty abatement, but you'd need to file Form 843 with documentation. Otherwise, just be prepared that the total amount owed might be significantly higher than your original tax liability.

Thanks for mentioning the penalties and interest - that's something I hadn't fully considered! Do you happen to know if there's any difference in how they calculate penalties for returns that were due to be filed versus returns that were filed but with errors? I'm in a similar situation where I need to send in an old return, but I'm not sure if I technically "filed" by submitting something incomplete or if this counts as never filing at all. Also, when you say calling the IRS to confirm receipt - roughly how long after mailing should I wait before calling? I don't want to call too early and waste everyone's time, but I also don't want to wait so long that if there was an issue, it becomes a bigger problem.