Where To Mail Federal Tax Returns for Tax Year 2025
Written by
Rudri Bhatt Patel, CFHC™
Edited by
Elizabeth Constantineau, CFHC™
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A new year means a new tax season. Those who choose not to file their taxes electronically, may wonder the appropriate place to mail their returns. This article will offer guidance on which address to use to mail your 2025 paper return.
Where Do You Mail Your Federal Tax Return?
You are required to mail your tax return to a specific IRS processing center. The correct mailing address depends on what form you use, the state you live in and whether your payment is included. Check out the tables below to find out where you should mail your tax return.
IRS Mailing Addresses for Paper Tax Returns
Mailing Addresses for Form 1040 and 1040-SR
Make certain that you use the appropriate address depending on whether you’re enclosing a payment or submitting your tax return without a payment.
| Where You Live | Address If You’ve Enclosed Payment | Address If You’ve Not Enclosed Payment |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas | Internal Revenue Service P.O. Box 1214 Charlotte, NC 28201-1214 |
Department of the Treasury Internal Revenue Service Austin, TX 73301-0002 |
| Arizona, Arkansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma | Internal Revenue Service P.O. Box 931000 Louisville, KY 40293-1000 |
Department of the Treasury Internal Revenue Service Austin, TX 73301-0002 |
| Alaska, Pennsylvania | Internal Revenue Service P.O. Box 931000 Louisville, KY 40293-1000 |
Department of the Treasury Internal Revenue Service Ogden, UT 84201-0002 |
| California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Michigan, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wyoming | Internal Revenue Service P.O. Box 9310000 Louisville, KY 40293-1000 |
Department of the Treasury Internal Revenue Service Ogden, UT 84201-0002 |
| Kansas | Internal Revenue Service P.O. Box 802501 Cincinnati, OH 45280-2501 |
Department of the Treasury Internal Revenue Service Ogden, UT 84201-0002 |
| Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin | Internal Revenue Service P.O. Box 931000 Louisville, KY 40293-1000 |
Department of the Treasury Internal Revenue Service Kansas City, MO 64999-0002 |
Mailing Addresses for Amended Returns: Form 1040-X
Form 1040-X is used to make edits to your tax return. If you claimed the wrong filing status or need to report changes to your income, deductions or credits, you can mail the amended form to the address below that matches your place of residence.
| Where You Live | Where to Send Amended Return |
|---|---|
| Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin | Department of the Treasury Internal Revenue Service Kansas City, MO 64999-0052 |
| Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Texas | Department of the Treasury Internal Revenue Service Austin, TX 73301-0052 |
| Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wyoming | Department of the Treasury Internal Revenue Service Ogden, UT 84201-0052 |
Mailing Addresses for Non-Residents and International Filers
If you live outside the U.S. or have a specialized international tax status — including the following — you must mail your federal return to an IRS processing center:
- A dual-status alien
- A resident of a foreign country
- A resident of a U.S. territory, such as American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the U.S. Virgin Islands or Puerto Rico
Here’s where you can mail your tax return:
| Address If You’ve Enclosed Payment | Address If You’ve Not Enclosed Payment |
|---|---|
| Internal Revenue Service P.O. Box 1303 Charlotte, NC 28201-1303 |
Department of the Treasury Internal Revenue Service Austin, TX 73301-0215 |
Good To Know
If you’re a bona fide resident of a U.S. territory, additional tax rules may apply. IRS Publication 570 explains how residency status affects where you file, what income is taxable and which tax authority you report to.
How To Confirm You’re Using the Correct IRS Address in 5 Steps
Use this step-by-step guide to find out if you’re using the correct IRS address:
Step 1. Use the IRS Website To Find Addresses
Visit the IRS where to file page for the definitive answer. Do not rely on Google or old tax returns for mailing information.
Step 2. Select Your Payment Status
If you’re mailing your return with a payment, the mailing address is typically to a P.O. Box.
If you’re mailing your return without a payment, you will likely send it to the United States Treasury Department.
Step 3. Identify Your Filing Center by the IRS State Lookup
The IRS divides states based on the following regions:
- Austin, TX: For many southern and western states.
- Kansas City, MO: For many midwestern and northeastern states.
- Ogden, UT: For many western and mountain states.
Step 4. Choose the Address Based on the Form You’re Filing
If you’re filing something other than Form 1040, you may have to choose a different address, regardless of the state.
Step 5. Be Aware of the Mail Carrier You Choose
The United States Postal Service (USPS) can deliver to P.O. Boxes, while private carriers like Federal Express and UPS cannot deliver to P.O. Boxes.
How To Mail Your Federal Tax Return the Right Way
There is a proper way to mail your tax forms, and it may help prevent delays in processing. Here’s what you should do:
- Always put Form 1040 on top: The remaining documents should be arranged by sequence number. The sequence number can be found on the top right corner of each page.
- Include all your income records: This includes all W-2 and 1099 Forms.
- Sign your returns: If you and your spouse are filing jointly, make sure you both sign your returns.
- Prepare your payment correctly: Make sure you’ve made your money order or check payable to the United States Treasury.
- Verify the mailing address: Addresses differ based on whether you’re sending payment or not sending payment.
- Use certified mail with a return receipt: This method is the only way to make sure you have proof of the postmark date.
Special Tax Situations To Know About
Here are some situations you should be aware of before sending your return:
Mailing With a Money Order or Check
- Make sure you make the money order or check payable to the U.S. Treasury.
- List your Social Security number on the check or money order, the tax year (2025) and form number 1040.
- The IRS runs your paperwork through a scanner, so do not staple or paperclip your documents.
- Place the check loose with your payment voucher inside the envelope.
Using Certified or Tracked Mail
- By using certified mail or tracked mail, the IRS considers your return filed on time if it’s postmarked prior to or on the deadline.
- Keep your receipt handy in case you need to show proof of mailing.
Foreign or Overseas Mailing
- Make sure you use registered mail to track your return.
- The delivery of your return will likely take longer, so it’s important to have the registered mail postmark.
Private Delivery Services
- Only approved services like FedEx Priority Overnight or UPS Next Day Air count as methods for timely delivery.
Final Take
Whether you choose to file online for a faster refund or stick with mailing your return, understanding where to mail federal tax returns is key. Remember, paper filings may face delays due to processing times, so plan accordingly to meet the deadline. Here are some things you can do to help with the process:
- Mail to the right processing center based on whether you are or aren’t sending payment.
- Do not staple your documentation.
- Use certified mail to make sure you have a time stamp on your mailing.
FAQs About Mailing a Federal Tax Return
If you’re planning to mail your tax return, these FAQs cover what to know about paper filing, IRS processing times and common mailing mistakes to avoid.- Can I still mail a paper tax return in 2026?
- You can still mail a paper tax return to the IRS. Keep in mind, though, that the IRS is pushing toward paperless processing, and refund checks will be directly deposited into your account and won't be mailed.
- Do I need to mail my return if I e-filed?
- Do not mail a paper copy if you've received notification that your tax return was accepted electronically.
- Should I send my tax return by certified mail?
- It is highly recommended that you send your paper tax return via certified mail. By sending it certified, you have proof of the date when you mailed your taxes.
- What happens if I mail my return to the wrong IRS address?
- It will cause a processing delay. It typically adds two to four weeks to your processing time.
- Does the IRS still process mailed returns during filing season?
- Mailed returns are processed during the filing season. However, it may take six to eight weeks to process a mailed return. An electronic return is processed typically within three weeks.
Preston Hartwick contributed to the reporting for this article.
Information is accurate as of March 11, 2024.
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