Discussion:Mailing returns certified return receipt
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Discussion Forum Index --> Tax Questions --> Mailing returns certified return receipt
| February 5, 2008 | |
| Lacerte changed its default client letter that goes with returns for 2007 to include a paragraph that says: "Mail all returns certified return receipt for proof of timely filing." I have never recommended this to my clients before and wonder what your opinions are regarding this matter. Although we hear lots of complaints about the US postal service, I've NEVER had the post office lose anything. It seems to me this is overkill and I will probably delete this recommendation from my client instructions. | |
Death&Taxes (talk|edits) said: | 5 February 2008 |
| I'd only suggest this for returns filed in the waning days of the season, and only those owing significant money. And this is from someone who is only operating about 70% efiling. Problem is that most people don't know how to use Certified Mail, Return Receipt Request properly, like IRS does when sending a 90-day letter. Clients have to be taught to put the receipt number on the document and on their copy, else for all we know, they could have sent anything certified mail.....a packet of blank papers for example.
Had a client whose father was a R.O. She either used Certified Mail for everything, or would take documents to the local IRS office and have them receipted......then one year she took her return to the office and IRS misposted an 18,000+ check that was included with the 1040. | |
Michaelstar (talk|edits) said: | 5 February 2008 |
| I prepare my own tax letters to clients even though I also use Lacerte. I have always used this language as a "cya" sort of thing.
My letter states: " If the returns are not mailed in sufficient time to reach their destination on or before the filing date, I suggest that they be mailed by either registered or certified mail with the sender's receipts postmarked to provide proof of mail on or before the filing date." I do not believe it is overkill but good, safe advise. ps D&T - if I want the client to mail the returns certified mail - I prep the envelopes that way for them so they do not need to do anything but give it to the guy at the window to have it processed. | |
RoyDaleOne (talk|edits) said: | 5 February 2008 |
| Wow......
What if the mail truck has an accident and as a result losses the return? I always recommend that the return be sent certified or registered or now special delivery thing. This why I like e-filing. | |
| 5 February 2008 | |
| I recommend return receipt. I have a client who insisted he sent the return and the IRS lost it. had he had the return receipt they would have considered the filing timely. Unfortunately, I also had an arguement with a PA sales tax agent regarding the same. I completed amended returns that needed to be filed because the client was about to lose their sales tax license. They were sent return receipt and it was critical that they arrive. Client had the card. The agent said that wasn't good enough, there could have been anything in the envelope. She & I went around for a while, I faxed her all of the info & finally she learned that the returns had arrived & were with a revenue agent, they hadn't been processed yet so they didn't show up on her system. | |
Death&Taxes (talk|edits) said: | 6 February 2008 |
| That is what I said above: if you do certified mail, either give the client very precise instructions or do it yourself lest your client goof; Then IRS can say 'you could have mailed us anything.' And Roy is right, the mail truck could have an accident, but without your client writing the receipt number on the copy, they would still only have a postal receipt in their hand.
Put the client name on the back of the green card too, and have it returned to your office, not to their house. | |
| 6 February 2008 | |
| I use certified mail with return receipt for anything sent to the IRS with a critical due date. D&T, I also make sure to put the client's name, the form number, and year on the back of the green card, as you do, otherwise I have no idea who it pertains to.
Further, I enclose a transmittal letter with a copy and a stamped, self-addressed envelope. On the transmittal letter I include the certified mail receipt number and I identify the contents of the letter or package. I ask the IRS to mark the copy of the transmittal letter with the date received "to acknowledge receipt of the above listed documents," and return the marked copy to me in the enclosed envelope. That way I have a date-stamped document from the IRS stating specifically what they received. I love it! Works great. | |
| 6 February 2008 | |
| Why would anyone not efile every return that qualifies? I'm waiting for the day that the IRS allows amended return efiling! taxea | |
| 6 February 2008 | |
| Agree with Death and Taxes, most clients do not know how to send certified. I have been preparing over 25 years. One year way back I left this lingo in the mailing instruction letter, clients thought I was out of it. I have never had a return lost in the mail by a client. However how can I say this with certainty?
Sec 7502 covers the timely mailed timely filed rules, wherein the IRS must accept a postmark. I had a RA tell me once, that returns mailed, were even considered filed timely for a five day grace period after the filing date, as they could not control the volume to know the difference. Risks assumed with ordinary postage can be avoided by certified mail, however who wants to go to the trouble. As for Efile, I finally this year went to the IRS to register, got a letter stating I could log on, logged on, and still could find no clue as to the path for an EFIN. You know, I don't have time to chase the IRS for an EFIN, if they want this process to be known it needs to be easier! Also, my practice today does not drive the need for electronic filing. Small practice, high income for the most part, CRT's which I am sure the IRS is not accepting electronically, and who could care less. maybe I'll try again next year. I am interested and curious. | |
| 6 February 2008 | |
| See Grossman v Comm., T.C. Memo. 2005-164. Grossman's attorney was responsible for mailing the Tax Court petition by April 5. Tax Court didn't receive until May 25.
Mr. Grossman's attorney had a certified mail receipt with his postage meter mark. Irs asserted that a postage meter mark was not enough to overcome the late filing. Attorney was able, after a full hearing, to establish timely filing by other evidence. When an item cannot be electronically filed, certified mail with a date stamp obtained at the post office is still my choice. I can say with certainty that there is no "5 day grace period" for form 990. Lancermc, I agree, the process of getting an EFIN should take 2 minutes. Instead, it takes an hour of trial and error to stumble through the process. It took me several months to get one. Typical of a government website interface. | |
Death&Taxes (talk|edits) said: | 6 February 2008 |
| With the revised 8453 this year, which apparently has a limited list of possible attachments, we are going to see more returns that shouldn't be efiled because they contain elections, statements etc. There will be much gnashing of teeth from many of us who think that the highest attainment of the human race is to become lightning bolts, but I think these are precisely the returns where certified mail must be employed. | |
| 6 February 2008 | |
| Yes, probably for 990, different department. The RA was talking about a main service centers individual returns. I have never said this to a client or suggested they rely on it! | |
