Taxation & Estate Planning

Proving You Filed Your Tax Return

By Darrin Mish

Notification has arrived from the IRS stating that it has no record of you filing your tax return and, if necessary, paying your taxes. Even if you are not in error, your status with the IRS has become a problem. Following some basic guidelines in regards to tax return filing, will enable you to document the fact that you did file the return.

? Always make copies of all tax returns, attached documents, and payment method. If you can provide an exact copy of these records, you will be able to respond to the IRS?s notification with copies of what is in question.

? Always use certified mail, return receipt requested when sending your return and related documentation to the IRS. This allows you to be notified that the return was received by the IRS and on what date. The extra cost is small compared to the possible cost of an IRS dispute.

? Always keep the returned certified mail receipt and receipt from the post office attached to the copies of your return. The certified mail receipt will have the signature of the recipient, the date of receipt, and the specific stamp of the IRS service center you mailed it to on it. The post office receipt will have the actual mailing date on it.

? Always send multiple documents in separate mailings. The IRS regularly fails to process multiple documents mailed together. In addition, it helps to file late returns a few days apart so it will not be as easy for the IRS to discover the extent of your non-filing. The extra cost of the separate mailings will be worth the hassle and will help to alleviate extra cost later.

After the IRS receives your return, there is always the possibility that it will be lost during processing or actually processed wrong. With the use of the steps above, you will be able to prove to the IRS that you did, indeed, file your tax return. You will obviously be able to show how you derived the figures on your return, show the figures on the receipts, and argue any dispute the IRS may have with the return.

If you receive notification from the IRS regarding a recent tax return, our office will be able to answer any questions you may have and help you resolve this or any other IRS Problems that arise. Contact us today for more information.

Full post as published by IRS Problem Solver Blog on February 04, 2008 (boomark / email).