What Is the Correct DC Mailing Address for Tax Returns?
Find the correct Washington, D.C. mailing address for different types of tax returns and learn how to ensure proper submission and proof of mailing.
Filing taxes requires sending documents to the correct IRS address, which varies based on location and type of return. Using the wrong address can lead to delays, lost filings, or penalties.
Understanding where to send your tax return ensures efficient processing. Different addresses apply depending on whether you’re filing as an individual or business, submitting an amended return, or including additional forms.
General Mail Submissions
The correct mailing address depends on the taxpayer’s state and whether a payment is included. The IRS has designated processing centers to handle returns efficiently. For example, residents of Washington, D.C., and nearby states typically send their returns to Kansas City, Missouri. The exact address varies based on whether a filer is including a payment.
If a check or money order is enclosed, the IRS directs the return to an address that ensures payments are processed correctly. When no payment is included, the return is sent to a different address within the same processing center. This distinction prevents delays in refunds or payment processing.
The IRS periodically updates mailing addresses, so taxpayers should verify the correct destination before sending their returns. The most reliable source is the IRS website (IRS.gov), which provides the latest mailing instructions. Using outdated addresses can result in undelivered mail or processing delays.
Exception-Filing Addresses
Certain tax filings require different mailing addresses due to their unique processing needs. Business returns, amended filings, and submissions with additional forms have designated IRS locations to ensure proper handling.
Business Returns
Businesses must use addresses specific to their entity type and location. Corporations filing Form 1120 generally send their returns to the IRS processing center assigned to their state. For businesses in Washington, D.C., the correct mailing address depends on whether a payment is included. If a corporation submits a return with a payment, it typically mails it to Louisville, Kentucky. Without a payment, the return is sent to Ogden, Utah.
Partnerships filing Form 1065 follow a similar process. D.C.-based partnerships mailing returns without payments send them to Ogden, while those including payments use a different address. The IRS provides a full list of mailing addresses for business returns on its website, and businesses should verify the correct location before filing.
Amended Returns
Taxpayers correcting a previously filed return must use a different address than for original submissions. Amended individual tax returns, filed using Form 1040-X, are processed at specific IRS centers based on the filer’s state. For Washington, D.C. residents, amended returns are typically sent to Kansas City, Missouri.
Businesses filing amended returns, such as corporations submitting Form 1120-X or partnerships correcting Form 1065, also have designated mailing addresses. These vary depending on the entity’s location and whether the amendment results in additional tax owed. If a payment is included, the IRS directs the return to a different processing center. Amended returns can take up to 20 weeks to process, so using the correct address helps prevent further delays.
Additional Forms
Certain tax forms require separate mailing addresses due to specialized processing. For example, Form 4868, Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File, has a different submission location than a standard tax return. D.C. residents filing an extension with a payment send it to Charlotte, North Carolina, while those without a payment use a different address.
Similarly, Form 9465, Installment Agreement Request, has its own mailing instructions. The IRS assigns different addresses based on whether the request is submitted with a tax return or separately. Since incorrect mailing can delay approval, taxpayers should confirm the correct address before submission. The IRS website provides updated mailing details for these and other specialized forms.
How to Provide Proof of Mailing
Ensuring that a tax return reaches the IRS is important, especially when missing deadlines could result in penalties or interest. The best way to confirm delivery is by using a mailing method that provides official proof of submission.
Certified Mail through the United States Postal Service (USPS) is a reliable way to document when a return was sent. This service provides a receipt with a unique tracking number, allowing taxpayers to confirm delivery. Adding a Return Receipt strengthens proof, as it requires the recipient to sign upon delivery. The postmark date on a Certified Mail receipt serves as legal proof of timely filing under IRS regulations.
Private delivery services such as FedEx and UPS also offer tracking and proof of mailing, but only certain service levels are accepted by the IRS for timely filing. For example, FedEx Priority Overnight and UPS Next Day Air qualify, while standard ground shipping does not. Taxpayers using private carriers should verify that their selected service meets IRS requirements. Keeping copies of tracking details and mailing receipts is advisable in case proof of submission is needed later.