Can I mail my Tax Return in a Regular Envelope?

The tax return mail-in service was one of the earliest methods of tax payments. Although the majority of Americans use electronic ways to pay their taxes today, there are still citizens who maintain traditional routes to fulfill their tax responsibilities.

All information submitted to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) electronically or in person must maintain the quality standards required by the institution. For this reason, some citizens wonder if I can mail my tax return in a regular envelope, which are the official mailing agencies and other questions we will answer in the following letters.

How do you mail your taxes in the paper?

Tax returns can be sent to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) by mail. Although not the fastest alternative, you can use the U.S. Postal Service to deliver your tax returns. 

Federal agencies encourage all citizens to file electronically. Since the pandemic, 90 percent of taxpayers have completed their tax returns online. 

You can do so if you prefer to send your taxes by mail. Please do not send them in one envelope when you need to file several tax returns. A maximum of two returns per envelope is allowed, but individual envelopes with identification and tax year are recommended.

Can I mail my tax return in a regular envelope?

Yes, you can use a regular envelope to mail your tax return. It is important to return the envelope clean and unblemished. All forms and attachments should be stapled in the upper left-hand corner of the sheet. 

Use a secure mailing method

To send mail to the IRS office, you must choose a secure form of mailing. Use certified mail with a return receipt requested when sending these documents. Make sure the envelope is postmarked.

Although the IRS address applies to almost all mailings, not all returns must be sent to the same address. For example, estimated payments, Form 1040-ES, amended returns, and IRS Form 4868 for tax extensions are sent to unique, individual addresses.

Suppose you want to know which address to send your return to, check the official IRS website for links to each lesson. You can also view it by copying and pasting this link: https://www.irs.gov/filing/where-to-file-paper-tax-returns-with-or-without-a-payment. 

How to mail a tax return if you are outside the United States?

You can only mail the return to the IRS mailing address if you live inside the United States. If the taxpayer is outside the country, you must send it by a private delivery service.

IRS-approved private tax delivery services include FedEx, UPS, and DHL Express. 

FedEx

Use Priority Overnight, Standard Overnight, 2 Day, International Priority, International First, First Overnight, International First Next Flight Out, or International Economy

UPS

This service for mailing IRS tax returns is postmarked. The different shipping alternatives are as follows:

Priority mail express

1. One to two business days delivery
2. Tracking is included, so you know where your shipment is.
3. Eligible for Click-N-Ship

Priority mail

1. One to three business days delivery
2. Have tracking included, so you know where your shipment is
3. Eligible for Click-N-Ship
4. Eligible for Certificate of Shipment

First-Class Mail

1. One to five business day delivery
2. Additional services available
3. Eligible for Certificate of Shipment

DHL Express

Use DHL Express, DHL Express Worldwide, DHL Express Envelope, DHL Import Express, or Import Express Worldwide.

Tips for filing taxes by mail

Although the postal service was not as saturated a few decades ago, people still maintain tax payments through these channels. If you will be mailing your documents, follow these tips:

Post Office Information

Make sure the post office you are mailing to is still open. On the official IRS website, you can find the current post office for sending your documents. To find the post office that corresponds to you, copy this link into your preferred browser https://www.irs.gov/filing/where-to-file-paper-tax-returns-with-or-without-a-payment.

Send your return by first class mail

It is more secure to send your return by first class mail with certified mail, return receipt requested.

Put the return address on the envelope

The return address on the envelope is the only way to resolve if there is a problem with the return.