Wondering if IRS Letters that aren’t able to reach you in real life still count? Read on.
If a tree falls in a forest, does it really make a sound? If a letter from the IRS never makes it to my mailbox, does it really exist?
Wishful thinking would say no. But wishful thinking in this situation can land you in hot water with the Internal Revenue Service. Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on your circumstance), IRS correspondence doesn’t just go away if you’re unable to receive mail at your address.
Don’t Risk Penalties Playing Hide and Seek
The IRS can make a reasonable effort to locate your last-known address, by accessing United States Post Office databases, for example, but they aren’t required to. The onus is on you, the taxpayer (or would-be taxpayer), to let them know where to send your mail. If your mailing address has changed, you should notify them (you can use their toll-free number: 1-800-829-1040). Failing to do so could result in additional interest and other penalties such as tax liens or levies on your car, home, or other assets – probably not something you’re keen to start collecting.
You could be missing out on several important and timeline notices and letters that need your attention. No one wants to be told they owe money to the IRS, but they also may be trying to contact you for a number of other reasons that could work in your favor at some point:
- You are due a larger refund.
- They have a question about your tax return.
- They need to verify your identity.
- They need additional information.
- They’ve changed your return.
- They need to notify you of delays in processing your return.
Are You Playing ‘Marco Polo’ With the Federal Government?
If you’re in this situation because you move frequently or because you aren’t required to file a tax return each year, and things change, the IRS doesn’t make exceptions. It’s best to take a proactive approach to solving your mail-receiving issue.
Are you not receiving mail from the IRS due to a preventable issue? Then your first step is to fix this. Is your mailbox physically blocked? This could be a reason you’re not receiving mail. Maybe your mailbox is full or overflowing. Your post office will hold your mail for up to 10 days before returning it to the sender.
If you are intentionally diverting mail from the IRS away from you, the gig will be up at some point. The longer you keep up the ruse, the more painful the penalties might be. Interest can add up fast, so you’d be wise to be proactive and ensure your information with them is up to date. You never know – another round of federal stimulus checks could be around the corner! You certainly don’t want it to be impossible for the IRS to reach in that scenario.
Count the Highland Tax Group In
In short, if the IRS cannot deliver mail to your residence, it does not mean that their letters don’t count.
Fortunately, you can count on reliable, expert support from the Highland Tax Group. We’ll help you sort out and deal with your tax issues once and for all.