Is ita good idea to send in tax returns by certified mail?

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Subject Author Date Is ita good idea to send in tax returns by certified mail? steve-o 02-22-2009  Re: Is ita good idea to send in tax returns by cer... John Levine 02-22-2009  Re: Is ita good idea to send in tax returns by cer... Tom 02-22-2009  Re: Is ita good idea to send in tax returns by cer... John Levine 02-23-2009  Re: Is ita good idea to send in tax returns by cer... Seth 02-22-2009   Re: Is ita good idea to send in tax returns by ce... Steve Pope 02-22-2009  Re: Is ita good idea to send in tax returns by cer... Charlie Darwin 02-23-2009  Re: Is ita good idea to send in tax returns by cer... steve-o 02-23-2009  Re: Is ita good idea to send in tax returns by cer... Charlie Darwin 02-23-2009  Re: Is ita good idea to send in tax returns by cer... Drew Edmundson 02-23-2009
Posted by steve-o on February 22, 2009, 5:39 pm Please log in for more thread options When you can't file electronically is it a good or bad idea to send in returns by certified mail as opposed to first class? If it's a bad idea please explain why. It seems to me that for the extra 2.30, you have proof that the return was delivered and if it wasn't you have proof it was sent(yeah, I guess you might have to prove you sent a return and nota blank sheet of paper). Of course if the postman forgets to scan it you won't be able to trace it via USPS.com. Just curious what the consensus is. - Thanks - Steve -- << ------------------------------------------------------- >> << The foregoing was not intended or written to be used, >> << nor can it used, for the purpose of avoiding penalties >> << that may be imposed upon the taxpayer. >> << >> << The Charter and the Guidelines for submitting posts >> << to this newsgroup as well as our anti-spamming policy >> << are at www.asktax.org. >> << Copyright (2007) - All rights reserved. >> << ------------------------------------------------------- >> Posted by John Levine on February 22, 2009, 7:17 pm Please log in for more thread options > When you can't file electronically is it a good or bad idea to send > in returns by certified mail as opposed to first class? I use a Certificate of Mailing, which is just what it sounds like, a form that has a postmark showing that you mailed your return and to what address. It's cheaper than certified mail, and just as good in case there's some question whether you filed. Regards, John Levine, johnl@iecc.com, Primary Perpetrator of "The Internet for Dummies", Information Superhighwayman wanna-be, http://www.johnlevine.com, ex-Mayor "More Wiener schnitzel, please", said Tom, revealingly. -- << ------------------------------------------------------- >> << The foregoing was not intended or written to be used, >> << nor can it used, for the purpose of avoiding penalties >> << that may be imposed upon the taxpayer. >> << >> << The Charter and the Guidelines for submitting posts >> << to this newsgroup as well as our anti-spamming policy >> << are at www.asktax.org. >> << Copyright (2007) - All rights reserved. >> << ------------------------------------------------------- >> Posted by Tom on February 22, 2009, 10:26 pm Please log in for more thread options >> When you can't file electronically is it a good or bad idea to send >> in returns by certified mail as opposed to first class? > > I use a Certificate of Mailing, which is just what it sounds like, a > form that has a postmark showing that you mailed your return and to > what address. It's cheaper than certified mail, and just as good in > case there's some question whether you filed. > I have always used certified mail with a return receipt. It is expensive and time consuming. What exactly do you do to get a certificate of mailing? I looked it up and see it is $1.10, but can't find anything on the actual process. -- << ------------------------------------------------------- >> << The foregoing was not intended or written to be used, >> << nor can it used, for the purpose of avoiding penalties >> << that may be imposed upon the taxpayer. >> << >> << The Charter and the Guidelines for submitting posts >> << to this newsgroup as well as our anti-spamming policy >> << are at www.asktax.org. >> << Copyright (2007) - All rights reserved. >> << ------------------------------------------------------- >> Posted by John Levine on February 23, 2009, 10:06 am Please log in for more thread options >What exactly do you do to get a certificate of mailing? I looked it up and >see it is $1.10, but can't find anything on the actual process. You get a little form on which you write the To and From address, which the post office postmarks to verify the date and that you mailed something. I've never had to prove that I mailed something, so I don't know how likely the IRS is to claim it's no good. R's, John -- << ------------------------------------------------------- >> << The foregoing was not intended or written to be used, >> << nor can it used, for the purpose of avoiding penalties >> << that may be imposed upon the taxpayer. >> << >> << The Charter and the Guidelines for submitting posts >> << to this newsgroup as well as our anti-spamming policy >> << are at www.asktax.org. >> << Copyright (2007) - All rights reserved. >> << ------------------------------------------------------- >> Posted by Seth on February 22, 2009, 11:01 pm Please log in for more thread options >> When you can't file electronically is it a good or bad idea to send >> in returns by certified mail as opposed to first class? > >I use a Certificate of Mailing, which is just what it sounds like, a >form that has a postmark showing that you mailed your return and to >what address. It's cheaper than certified mail, and just as good in >case there's some question whether you filed. The IRS has said that it won't accept a Certificate of Mailing as proof of timely filing. Courts have disagreed. (I use a CoM too.) Seth -- << ------------------------------------------------------- >> << The foregoing was not intended or written to be used, >> << nor can it used, for the purpose of avoiding penalties >> << that may be imposed upon the taxpayer. >> << >> << The Charter and the Guidelines for submitting posts >> << to this newsgroup as well as our anti-spamming policy >> << are at www.asktax.org. >> << Copyright (2007) - All rights reserved. >> << ------------------------------------------------------- >> Similar Threads Posted Client working and living abroad files federal returns; no major assets left in the USA, will he have to file state returns? 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