

- #LOST CERTIFIED MAIL RECEIPT MANUAL#
- #LOST CERTIFIED MAIL RECEIPT FULL#
- #LOST CERTIFIED MAIL RECEIPT CODE#
Section 7502(f) adds IRS-specified private delivery services (PDS) to the list of acceptable means to obtain proof of mailing, and the IRS provided in Notice 2016-30 that many DHL Express, FedEx, and UPS options will meet the standard. Private Delivery ServicesĪ less common but acceptable way to obtain proof of mailing for tax documents may now be the most reliable option, at least until the IRS is able to return to normal operations. Fortunately, there are other options that can be used to obtain proof of mailing. The only USPS options that provide acceptable proof of mailing evidence for tax documents is registered or certified mail, each of which require signature by the recipient. In short, a certificate of mailing does not constitute valid proof of timely mailing. The IRS also addressed this issue previously in SCA 1998-051 (). The tax court addressed this issue specifically in Haaland v.

Although a certificate of mailing seemingly could alleviate the signature problem, the USPS unfortunately is mistaken about the availability of this service for Section 7502 proof of mailing purposes. The USPS suggests a “ certificate of mailing” for this purpose, which does not require signature.

There is another service that the USPS mistakenly touts on its own website as providing adequate proof of mailing for tax documents. Thus, the possibility remains that the item could be returned for lack of a signature, even if the sender does not request a return receipt. The return receipt is unnecessary under the Section 7502(c) proof of mailing standard the sender needs proof that an item was mailed, but does not need proof that it was received. It merely means that the sender will not receive physical confirmation that the item was delivered. However, omitting the return receipt option does not remove the recipient’s signature requirement. USPS certified mail is offered with or without a “return receipt” option to the sender. In practice, the USPS mail carrier might bypass the signature requirement, but this is at the discretion of the carrier and leaves open the possibility that the item will be returned. Hence, it is possible that the item could be returned as undeliverable when there is no one present to sign or date stamp the item.
#LOST CERTIFIED MAIL RECEIPT MANUAL#
the applicable form or label and returns the form or label to the USPS employee.” The USPS offers an electronic signature service which alleviates the need for a physical signature, but Sections 1.22.5.4.1 and 3.10.72.2.4.8 of the IRS Internal Revenue Manual indicate that the IRS must sign and physically stamp the mail label. However with either of these options, Section 508.1.1.7 of the USPS Domestic Mail Manual specifies that the “mailpiece may not be opened or given to the recipient before the recipient signs.
#LOST CERTIFIED MAIL RECEIPT CODE#
Section 7502(c) of the Code establishes that the postmark date on the mailing receipt for these United States Postal Service (USPS) options will serve as evidence of the mailing date. The most common way to obtain proof of mailing for paper forms sent to the IRS is via United States registered or certified mail. But if no one is available to sign for the delivery, how is this accomplished? USPS Registered or Certified Mail The predicament makes it more important than ever to ensure that there is proof of timely mailing. The situation forced the IRS to store unprocessed mail in trailers, yet many tax returns are still due July 15, 2020.
#LOST CERTIFIED MAIL RECEIPT FULL#
It will take time for the IRS to restore full operations, and presently the IRS remains unable to process many types of paper tax returns and correspondence, including all individual paper tax returns.

The IRS recently communicated plans to its employees for a phased re-opening that is expected to begin June 1. The coronavirus pandemic has forced the IRS to temporarily suspend processing of mailed tax documents at many of its campuses and office locations.
