This article gives details on where to mail your tax return and how to make sure it arrives on time to avoid late filing penalties.
Mailing Your Tax Return
The location for mailing your return depends on your location and whether you are making a payment. To use the table below, locate your state, then use the address depending on whether or not you are making a payment with your return.
Deadlines for Mailing your Tax Returns in 2022
The deadline for 2021 individual tax returns is April 18, 2022 for all states except Maine and Massachusetts. This deadline is specific to this year because April 15, the usual deadline, is a holiday in the District of Columbia. Taxpayers in Maine or Massachusetts have until April 19, 2022, to file their returns because of the Patriots’ Day holiday in those states. April 18, 2022 is also the deadline for making first-quarter 2022 estimated tax payments to the IRS. If you request an extension on your 2021 tax return, the deadline to file is October 17, 2022.
Deadlines for Small Business Tax Returns
April 18 is also the deadline for small business owners, including:
Sole proprietors and single-member limited liability company (LLC) owners filing Schedule C along with their personal returns Partners in partnerships and multiple-member LLC members filing a partnership Schedule K-1 S corporation owners filing an S corporation Schedule K-1
Mailing addresses for business filing partnership returns on Form 1065. corporations filing Form 1120 returns, and S corporation returns filing Form 1120-S are provided on a separate IRS webpage.
Make Sure You Mail On Time
The postmark on your envelope is what counts when mailing your tax return. Some post office locations offer extended hours and late postmarking before Tax Day. You can purchase a certificate of mailing at the post office to prove that you mailed your return on a specific date. Keep the certificate; the post office doesn’t keep copies. Before you mail that return, make sure you have the correct IRS, and include your return address on your mailing label and that you have enough postage.
Using a Private Delivery Service
You can use a private delivery service, but only certain IRS-approved services are acceptable. The IRS lists DHL, Federal Express, and UPS as designated private delivery services, but only some of the services from these companies are acceptable, including:
DHL Express (DHL): DHL Express 9:00, DHL Express 10:30, DHL Express 12:00, DHL Express Worldwide, DHL Express Envelope, DHL Import Express 10:30, DHL Import Express 12:00, DHL Import Express WorldwideFederal Express (FedEx): FedEx First Overnight, FedEx Priority Overnight, FedEx Standard Overnight, FedEx 2 Day, FedEx International Next Flight Out, FedEx International Priority, FedEx International First, FedEx International EconomyUnited Parcel Service (UPS): UPS Next Day Air Early A.M., UPS Next Day Air, UPS Next Day Air Saver, UPS 2nd Day Air, UPS 2nd Day Air A.M., UPS Worldwide Express Plus, UPS Worldwide Express
Options for E-filing Your Tax Return
The IRS encourages taxpayers to file federal tax returns online, to speed up the process and get your refund faster. You can use tax preparation software or use a licensed tax preparer to prepare the forms and e-file them for you. You may be eligible to use the IRS Free File for Forms 1040 or 1040-SR if your adjusted gross income (AGI) is $73,000 or less. You can download Free File system’s forms and complete them yourself if your AGI is higher than this. You might be able to qualify for free tax help from the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program if:
Your income is $58,000 or less.You are disabled.You have limited English-language skills.
You might also qualify for the Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) program (including tax return preparation) if you’re age 60 or older.
Filing and Paying Corporate Taxes
You must use approved software or a tax professional who is an authorized e-file provider if you’re filing an income tax return for your corporation or S corporation. This includes limited liability companies (LLCs) that elect to be taxed as corporations or S corporations.
Paying Other Business Taxes
Making your tax payments online is the best and easiest way to pay. LLC owners, sole proprietors, or partners in partnerships can use one of several IRS e-pay options, including direct debit from a bank account, credit card, or debit card. Corporation and partnership returns should use the IRS Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS).
Filing an Extension Application
You can e-file an extension application or mail it to the IRS. There are two application forms, depending on the business type: Form 7004 for corporations and partnerships, and Form 4868 for other business types and personal returns. You can also use IRS E-File to electronically to request an extension on your personal tax return, which will give you until October 17, 2022, to file. To get an extension, you must estimate your tax liability and pay any amount due. If you are filing Form 1040-X because you received a notice from the IRS, use the address in the notice. Otherwise, use this article from the IRS on where to file Form 1040X. Find your state on the list to see where to mail your amended return. You can use the interactive tax assistant on the IRS website, which takes you through a process of answering questions to help you figure out if you need to file a tax return The IRS may reduce the charges if you can show that you acted in good faith or show reasonable cause for non-payment. See this article on penalty relief from the IRS for more information.
