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Home > Notices > Taxpayer Files Return on Paper
Published:   |   Last Updated: January 23, 2025

Taxpayer Files Return on Paper

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Overview

The IRS encourages taxpayers and tax professionals to file electronically. However, if you decide or are required to paper file there are tools available to assist you.

The IRS provides online access to official federal tax forms, instructions and publications, which can be downloaded or printed from: https://www.irs.gov/forms-instructions.

I need more information

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You are required to file a paper tax return if you're:

  • Claiming a dependent who was already claimed on another tax return;
  • Filing before or after the e-file season (generally January 15 through October 15 each year);
  • Filing a prior year tax return before or after the e-file season (generally January 15th through October 15th each year) after; or
  • Filing with certain IRS forms.

If you need to file a paper tax return, consider sending it by certified mail, with a return receipt. This will be your proof of the date you mailed your tax return and when the IRS received it. You may also use certain private delivery services designated by the IRS. For mailing purposes, you can find IRS addresses on IRS.gov.

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If you owe taxes, you have multiple ways to pay, including:

  • You can mail a check, money order, or cashier’s check to the IRS with a Form 1040-V, Payment Voucher (be sure to make the payment payable to the U.S. Treasury);
  • You can schedule the payment to be deducted from your bank account (Direct Pay) at no charge to you; or
  • You can pay by internet, phone, or mobile device using a Debit or Credit Card.
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Other available options

If you can’t pay the taxes you owe, the IRS has payment options available. The best option for you generally depends on how much you owe and your current financial situation. Each options has different requirements and some options have fees associated with them.

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The Taxpayer Advocate Service is an independent organization within the IRS. TAS helps taxpayers resolve problems with the IRS, makes administrative and legislative recommendations to prevent or correct the problems, and protects taxpayer rights. TAS helps all taxpayers (and their representatives), including individuals, businesses, and exempt organizations. You may be eligible for free TAS help if your IRS problem is causing financial difficulty, if you’ve tried and been unable to resolve your issue with the IRS, or if you believe an IRS system, process, or procedure just isn’t working as it should.

TAS has offices in every state, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. To find your local advocate’s number:

Low Income Taxpayer Clinics (LITCs) assist individuals whose income is below a certain level who need to resolve tax problems with the IRS. They also provide education, outreach, and information on taxpayer rights to individuals who speak English as a second language. LITCs represent taxpayers in disputes before the IRS and courts and help taxpayers respond to IRS notices and correct account problems. Services are offered for free or a small fee. LITCs are independent from the IRS and TAS. For more information or to find an LITC near you, see the LITC Page or Publication 4134, Low Income Taxpayer Clinic List. You can also request Pub. 4134 by calling 800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676).

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